The Situation

Building on Tradition, Shaping the Future

ECHTERHOFF constructs complex infrastructure projects both above and below ground for a variety of public and private customers, including Deutsche Bahn AG, waterway and shipping authorities, road and highway departments, water and wastewater associations, energy providers, municipal entities, and other public service organizations. These projects span important sectors such as Engineering structures, canal construction, retention basins, dike protection, flood protection, infrastructure and disposal in accordance with the “Substitute Construction Materials Regulation” (German: Ersatzbaustoffverordnung).

As a family-owned business, ECHTERHOFF’s greatest asset is its team of over 700 employees across ten locations in Germany. Their dedication to high-quality work and timely project completion is evident in all their diverse construction endeavors. The company prides itself on its long-standing tradition and its ability to deliver complex construction solutions.

Over the past decades, they have cemented their status as a trusted partner in the construction industry. In response to the increasing demand for sustainability data in construction, ECHTERHOFF is dedicated to meeting these requirements by enhancing their practices and achieving the sustainability certifications increasingly requested by their clients. Pursuing sustainability ratings, such as EcoVadis, underscores their commitment to meeting the growing demand for information and data about sustainability in today’s market.

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The Challenge

Efficiently Overcoming ESG Data Management Hurdles

Recognizing the significance of the EcoVadis rating as a crucial requirement from their customers, the ECHTERHOFF team committed to effectively completing the sustainability reassessment. 

As resources were frequently allocated to outstanding on-site construction projects, the process of preparing responses posed a significant challenge. Moreover, sustainability data had to be compiled from various spreadsheet files and e-mails. 

Additionally, recent modifications to EcoVadis' medal program heightened the complexity, necessitating that companies remain updated on the latest methodology changes for reassessments.

In light of these challenges, ECHTERHOFF was looking for a solution to efficiently address the EcoVadis reassessment while concurrently establishing robust long-term processes for collecting and managing sustainability data for future endeavors. 

They were also looking for consolidated documentation and a clear overview of their sustainability initiatives. Qualitative data points in particular had not yet been systematically documented and centrally managed.

The Solution

The Sunhat Moment

For ECHTERHOFF, innovation and long-term partnership go beyond the construction site; they are also deeply rooted in their collaboration with partners such as software solution providers — a philosophy that aligns with Sunhat's vision.

In a dynamic partnership with Sunhat, ECHTERHOFF has been able to create a consistent foundation for managing the EcoVadis questionnaire and the increasing number of customer requirements. 

They are supported by Sunhat's team of experts in preparing questionnaire responses and setting up data processes through templates and sparring.

By using Sunhat's customized data collection, ECHTERHOFF is now integrating consistent documentation of qualitative and quantitative data into their workflows.

In this way, Sunhat creates a dynamic data foundation that evolves with each new sustainability questionnaire answered, and each data point stored, enabling the ECHTERHOFF team to confidently manage the sustainability requirements of their industry.

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How ECHTERHOFF Uses Sunhat

ECHTERHOFF leverages Sunhat’s dedicated EcoVadis module to seamlessly integrate the received questionnaire with their existing data infrastructure. Every question answered generates evidence stored within the software, simplifying documentation and ensuring compliance.

With Sunhat's centralized platform, all sustainability data is collected and reported in real-time, facilitating collaboration among team members. This enables seamless data sharing and communication, empowering ECHTERHOFF to effectively tackle the EcoVadis assessment. With each question answered, evidence is automatically generated and stored within the software, ensuring seamless documentation.

“For us, Sunhat serves as more than just a data repository; it's a dynamic platform that fosters our collaboration and drives efficiency to achieve our long-term sustainability goals.”

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Sunhat empowers ECHTERHOFF’s team to effectively organize incoming customer requirements, along with the necessary measures to achieve continuous progress and long-term results in their ESG initiatives.

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The Results

Centralized Data Collection and Documentation

• Long-term Processes: By leveraging Sunhat’s centralized datahub, ECHTERHOFF has established robust long-term processes for collecting and documenting sustainability data. This ensures that all relevant information, including qualitative data, is systematically gathered and readily accessible.

• Efficient Resource Allocation: ECHTERHOFF recognizes the importance of valuing the time of both their employees and customers. With practical collaboration features in place, they can allocate resources more efficiently, enabling their team to focus on core business activities while ensuring timely responses to customer requests and requirements.

• Flexible Data Foundation: The data within Sunhat remains flexible, capable of adapting to the changing sustainability requirements. Whether it's updates to rating criteria or evolving environmental or social standards, ECHTERHOFF can rely on the support of Sunhat’s Sustainability Experts to stay ahead of the curve and remain compliant with the latest sustainability regulations.

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