Sustainable Business Practices
Sustainability is an increasingly important theme in the operations and services of the Jarola Group. We aim to actively contribute to a better world. As a family business, we believe it is crucial for future generations to grow up in a liveable world. Various steps have already been taken in the area of sustainability, and many more will follow in the future. We conduct our business with a keen eye on our environment. We embrace and develop sustainable concepts and products, make smart combination transports, and build sustainably. This is a given for us.
Sustainable Operations
As a technical wholesaler, there are sustainability gains to be made by improving our logistical processes. We do this by making our transports more efficient, optimizing our storage, and reducing waste streams. For the future, the focus will be on both improving processes and reducing transportation movements and packaging materials. The Jarola Group is investing in making our buildings more energy-efficient. All new construction and renovation projects pay attention to insulation and energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Optimization of our logistical processes:
- The automated order and storage system reduces storage space and saves energy.
- Sustainable employability of staff through optimal working conditions.
- Orders from branches go in reusable distribution containers.
- Efficient use of transport: stock and orders are combined for delivery to branches.
- Packaging materials from suppliers are not repacked but forwarded as received.
- Packaging materials are made from recycled cardboard.
- Conscious choice of transporters who prioritize sustainability.
- No filler material is used in shipping packages as boxes are adjusted to fit the contents.
- By automatically reducing the size of cardboard shipping packages, unnecessary transport volume is not created, reducing shipping volume by up to 70% compared to traditionally filled standard packaging.
Sustainable Services
Sustainability goes beyond CO2 emissions and material use. It includes the choice of suppliers, the country of origin, and working conditions. Questions such as “how sustainable are products, what raw materials are used, lifespan, reuse, and CO2 emissions during production” play an important role in our policy. This process requires collaboration with both current and new suppliers.
Product Range
We source our products from over 300 (European) manufacturers. Quality and sustainability are two key criteria for our product range. Therefore, we increasingly select energy-efficient alternatives in our product choices.
Supplier Selection
We believe it is important for our suppliers to invest in sustainability. They should see opportunities to develop sustainable initiatives with us. We strive to source as locally as possible (within the Netherlands or Europe), which means we critically assess products sourced from other regions.
Water, Where It Belongs
As a specialist in water solutions, we are constantly looking for new methods and innovations in this field. Our credo is “water where it belongs.” With climate change, effective and sustainable irrigation is becoming increasingly relevant in the world. We invest in new systems and techniques to get water where it is needed while preventing waste. We continuously expand our irrigation range with a strong focus on efficient water use.
Sustainable examples from our range to prevent water waste:
- Drip Irrigation via Drip Tape: The difference with spray guns lies in the efficiency of water delivery. Spraying can result in 40-50% water loss due to wind or evaporation. Drip irrigation prevents this, delivering water precisely where and when needed.
- Electric Irrigation: This development in agricultural irrigation uses an electric pump, possibly powered by solar energy, which is better for the environment than traditional diesel-powered solutions.
- Rainwater Infiltration with the Rawinso Concept: This is better for groundwater levels and the environment.
Green Climate Square
Our ambition is to create sustainable connections with and between market parties that can strengthen each other. We consider the entire chain, from manufacturer to trader and processor. By engaging with customers, partners, suppliers, and manufacturers, we have already achieved great results, such as the Green Climate Square. An initiative from the gardening industry to provide customers with tips and ideas for contributing to a green and healthy living environment for humans and animals. We are a partner of this climate square with our Rawinso rainwater solutions.
Sustainable Employment
Sustainable employment is about sustainable employability. It refers to the extent to which an employee can and wants to continue performing their current and future work. This touches on all aspects of work or the work environment. How does an employer ensure sustainable employability? Within the Jarola Group, we regularly celebrate employee anniversaries.
Why? We have a company culture where employees have opportunities to grow, are called upon for their responsibility, and have possibilities for development and growth. A pleasant work environment and the development that focuses on the sustainable employability of the employee ensure a stable foundation and a healthy organization.
Community Engagement
Social and community involvement is in the DNA of the Jarola Group. Locally and beyond national borders, the Jarola Group has been actively supporting projects and charities financially for decades. This tradition began in the early years of this family business. Founder Jan de Wilde was always closely involved in community life. He started sponsoring skating and roller sports and continued this sponsorship for local and national football, in which Jarola Group is still active.
Jarola Foundation
Jarola Group made donations to support small-scale projects in education, healthcare, the environment, and agriculture. Many of these projects focus on children, which remains one of our primary principles. Through this foundation, the Jarola Group fulfils its commitment to socially responsible and engaged business. The family is also closely involved with the foundation: board member Ria de Wilde, the wife of Gert-Jan de Wilde, CEO and owner of the Jarola Group, is dedicated to the themes central to the projects supported by the Jarola Foundation. These themes include: no hunger, good health & well-being, quality education, clean water, and affordable and sustainable energy.