Sustainability

Sustainability Report

We invite you to review the 2023 Sustainability Report, which compiles and presents our achievements in environmental, social, and corporate governance areas, in alignment with the ISO 26000 framework.

ISO 26000 Areas

We plan to continue and expand our previous efforts and commitments in social, environmental, and governance areas. To achieve this, we have developed an ESG strategy for 2024-2026, built on six pillars, including environmental protection, sustainable management, and education through industry-specific guidance and training. Innovation and design are fundamental to our sector's growth and are naturally aligned with sustainable development. Additionally, we prioritize local community engagement and wellbeing, focusing on health, safety, comfort, and the development of our stakeholders.

Sustainable Development Goals

We have identified six out of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as particularly significant to us. These goals provide a roadmap for global transformation, ensuring that the needs of the current generation are met sustainably, with respect for the environment and consideration for future generations.

We integrate the SDGs into our business strategy and sustainability efforts. The interconnected nature of these goals means that actions in one area affect outcomes in others, spanning social, economic, and environmental development.

Through our actions, we contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 4 (4.1, 4.3, 4.4): Quality Education
Goal 8 (8.3, 8.5, 8.6, 8.8): Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9 (9.4): Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Goal 12 (12.2, 12.4, 12.5): Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13 (13.3): Climate Action
Goal 17 (17.19): Partnerships for the Goals

Our ESG Initiatives

We have divided our existing best practices into three ESG categories: Environmental, Social, and Governance. The environmental section addresses issues such as climate change, production processes, and packaging. The social section highlights initiatives for key stakeholders, including employees, local communities, customers, architects, and distributors. The governance section outlines the policies, codes, and principles guiding our daily operations.

Environmental

We care for the natural environment to ensure future generations can benefit from the same resources we do today. We strive to minimize energy and natural resource consumption, utilize renewable energy sources, and responsibly manage and handle waste.

Climate Change

Our activities in this area include:

adhering to environmental standards under ISO 14001
measuring and reducing our carbon footprint
utilizing renewable energy – our production facility roof is equipped with photovoltaic panels, and we hold a Green Energy Certificate
responsible waste segregation and recycling processes
conscious packaging and logistics optimization for our furniture
gradual replacement of bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting

We incorporate ecological considerations into the design and production of our furniture. By using the latest technologies, purchasing new equipment, and implementing environmentally protective measures, including CO2 emissions reduction, we strive to decrease waste and pollution. We also reuse wood panel scraps to produce pallets for transportation.

Production Processes

We manage resources such as raw materials, packaging, water, and energy responsibly, sourcing them from verified suppliers. Special emphasis is placed on reducing pollutants during cutting and in the processes of furniture painting and coating. We carefully select materials and components at every production stage to ensure top quality and compliance with European environmental standards.

We have a modern machine park, including a renovated paint line with its own wastewater treatment plant, a press brake, and sheet and profile lasers.

Our furniture is made from high-strength chipboard that meets high-quality standards, confirmed by certifications.

Balma machine park, paint line

Packaging

We minimize the use of plastic packaging in favor of cardboard. Our advanced cardboard packaging machine allows precise management of cardboard usage. Strapping machines using 100% recycled materials help significantly reduce the amount of tape used in packing finished furniture.

Social

We conducted a materiality assessment among our management team, identifying key and important stakeholders. We considered both our impact on them and their significance to our operations.

Key stakeholders include employees, customers, suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, and architects/designers. Important stakeholders encompass the natural environment, local communities (primarily the Tarnowo Podgórne municipality and sales locations in Poznań, Warsaw, Wrocław, Łódź, and Sopot), universities and schools, competitors, industry organizations, research and certification bodies, media, financial institutions, public administration, governmental and European agencies, and NGOs.

Employees

We conducted a survey among our administrative and production employees. Most of our staff are satisfied with the benefits offered, such as vacation allowances, holiday vouchers and packages, company Christmas party, integration meetings, jubilee awards, and the possibility to purchase Balma furniture at a discount.

Employees agree on the key features of our company, almost unanimously recognizing the people, job stability, and the outcome of our collective work – our products. Many production employees also highlighted our commitment to environmental care, which naturally aligns with our development direction.

The vast majority of employees feel safe in our company, appreciating factors such as a good family atmosphere, a cohesive team, job stability, the ability to create beautiful high-quality products, being a reliable and good employer, respecting employees, high work culture, timely remuneration, and opportunities for learning and development. Production employees value the single-shift work system and the adopted working hours.

Wellbeing is important to us, which we understand as supporting the comfort, health, safety, and development of our stakeholders.

We care about the health and safety of employees:

we organize first aid training courses
there is an AED defibrillator on the company premises, easily accessible to employees and residents of Tarnowo Podgórne
we conduct training on procedures for evacuation teams
we provide training in fire safety and the hazards and risks associated with different job positions
we train our production workers on the proper handling of hazardous chemical substances
we organize "fruit days" to promote healthy eating habits

We care about the comfort of the work:

using desks with adjustable tabletops and appropriately selected and adjusted chairs
innovative solutions to reduce musculoskeletal strain on production workers, such as pallet trucks and height-adjustable tables
ergonomically equipped conference rooms, kitchens, and staff canteens
organizing various company events, such as Christmas parties, mountain trips, paintball, and kayak excursions.

Balma integration trip, Tatra Mountains 2023

We care about employee development

we assess employee job satisfaction and identify their needs
we organize training sessions to enhance the professional qualifications of our staff

Local Community

collaborating with the University of the Arts in Poznań
collaborating with the Technical School Complex in Tarnowo Podgórne (ZST), where we have established a patronage class training young people in carpentry, organizing a theoretical-practical training program for them
supporting career counseling for young people, familiarizing them with the functioning of the company, and encouraging them to choose vocational schools
participating in the local Lion Run for several years
engaging annually in the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity
co-organizing local events, such as tree planting and chair renovation workshops, in a tripartite collaboration with the Tarnowo Podgórne Entrepreneurs Association and ZST

Technical School Complex in Tarnowo Podgórne (ZST)

Clients

We listen to our clients, assessing their needs and satisfaction with our cooperation. Every year, we introduce innovative products, certifying them in collaboration with the Furniture Testing Laboratory (LBM) European Certification accredited by the Polish Center for Accreditation (PCA) and the Ship Technology Center SA.

We develop our customer service and complaint reporting system, allowing clients to track their complaint status at any stage. We treat complaints as a valuable source of knowledge, helping us minimize potential inconsistencies in production processes.

We work to develop the industry and promote sustainable consumption

We support different styles of work and relaxation. We help people feel good and reach their full potential in their workplaces, studies, and homes. Thanks to our wide range of products, we provide comprehensive concepts and the realization of aesthetic spaces – interiors tailored to the most demanding needs and expectations. We create furniture that lasts for years.

We belong to the Pro Progressio Club, which brings together organizations from the Modern Business Services sector and their direct and indirect environments. As part of this collaboration, we participate in industry meetings, prepare publications, and share expert knowledge.

We participate in conferences, forums, and fairs dedicated to universal design, architectural accessibility, and trends in the furniture and design industry. In doing so, we share our experiences and insights on sustainable development.

Architects and distributors

We understand the importance of every project. We offer support to the distinguished architects and designers we collaborate with at every stage of the project. We provide our knowledge and experience in project preparation and the pricing process. We carefully oversee the furniture production process at every step – from creating the offer, through documentation, production, to the installation of furniture at the client's site. Because every stage matters.

We have created a library of 3D models and a catalogue of patterns, textures, and other essential materials that serve as helpful tools in creative work.
We provide design software and applications – pCon. pCon.planner is CAD software for interior design that allows the creation of photorealistic renders and presentations.
We have developed a tool for quick pricing of custom furniture pieces. Thanks to the software and application, distributors can comfortably and quickly create visualisations and prepare offers for clients.
We possess extensive technological resources, enabling the production of furniture in various technologies, materials, and colours. The wide range of colours and types of furniture opens up unlimited possibilities for composing offers.
We fulfil custom orders tailored to existing spaces or designs. We can produce bespoke solutions tailored to the individual needs of the client.

Governance

Ethical and sustainable development

We take responsibility for our actions. We care for the environment with future generations in mind. We act in an ethical and transparent manner. We design and manufacture our products sustainably, paying attention to every detail. Good relationships with our stakeholders are key to us.

We create space for effective and sustainable development. We invest in the growth of our employees. We support different styles of work and rest. We help people feel good and realize their full potential in places of work, learning, and living. Thanks to our wide range of products, we provide comprehensive ideas and implementation of aesthetic spaces – interiors tailored to meet the most demanding needs and expectations. All of this is done with care for people and the natural environment.

We believe in the classic timelessness of our furniture. That’s why we ensure good design, high-quality materials, and excellent craftsmanship. This is how we understand timeless quality. We can anticipate and accurately interpret trends in the industry and incorporate them into our designs. The spaces we create are innovative yet timeless, personalized, and conducive to well-being and comfort.

We are guided by the policies adopted and in force at Balma, including the Integrated Management System Policy based on ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, as well as the following: Sustainable Development Policy, Anti-Mobbing and Anti-Discrimination Policy, Anti-Corruption Policy, and Human Rights Policy. We have implemented the Balma Furniture Factory Code of Conduct and the Supplier and Partner Code of Conduct.

We develop in a responsible and sustainable way, which is why we are committed to complying with the provisions of:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
United Nations Global Compact’s Ten Principles
International Labour Organization’s regulations
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights