Building long-term relationships is key

We have a responsibility as a company towards the green transition, but we cannot fulfil this alone. At Verdo, we recognise the importance of forming strong strategic partnerships. This is why the fourth strand of our social contract is ‘Partners’, cementing the fact that we take this responsibility seriously.

Common to all our partnerships – regardless of size, economic scope and strategic anchoring – is that building longterm relationships is key. We believe this only happens when we are transparent and flexible in our work with our partners. But we also set the bar high, and make demands regarding competitiveness, deliveries and working conditions. Only when we are jointly ambitious on these parameters can we deliver solutions that make a real difference.

A common theme of our partnerships is to address challenges tied to the green transition.

For example, we teamed up with Herning Blue Fox and Bæredygtig Herning to create the Bæredygtig Business network for players in the Herning area. The focus is to work together to acquire greater knowledge about sustainability, the green transition and the circular economy. Together with Aalborg University, we are working on using solar cells in water utility operations to achieve energy savings at waterworks in Denmark.

Read about these and other initiatives on the following pages.

Sustainable business network

In 2022, Verdo teamed up with Bæredygtig Herning and Herning Blue Fox to establish the Bæredygtig Business network in Herning. The purpose of the sustainable business network is to acquire greater knowledge about sustainability, the green transition and the circular economy. All interested companies in the Herning area can participate in the network, and eight network meetings are currently planned, through until summer 2023.

The meetings are held at local companies that have a special approach, knowledge or case relevant to the meeting topic. All meetings are professionally facilitated in collaboration with talented speakers, and time is always allocated for networking.

Verdo has facilitated its own network meetings in both Randers and Herning in parallel. Knowledge and networks are key elements for any company seeking to develop, and this is especially true in relation to the green transition.

Verdo provides Herning’s first charging hotspot

Good partnerships can create synergies that benefit the local community. This was proven once again when Verdo and Herning Blue Fox jointly unveiled Herning’s first charging hotspot in June 2022 in the parking lot at Kvik Hockey Arena – Blue Fox’s home ground.

The opening was marked with festivities in Herning Blue Fox’s car park, and speeches from Jakob Flyvbjerg Christensen, CEO of Verdo, and Dorte West, Mayor of Herning.

The partnership is based on Herning Blue Fox’s attitude that it is not only the battles on the ice that are worth fighting. The same is true outside the rink, where the ice hockey club is taking responsibility for the green transition under its ‘blue goes green’ motto. This commitment is in line with Verdo’s vision to engage with the local community, so we can together be a green step ahead.

The charging hotspot in Herning is a good example of how we best succeed when we work together to make the right impact on the future.

Fact box:

The new hotspot features a 100 kW rapid charger, where you can fully charge your car in just 20-30 minutes. There are also three 22 KW charging stations with a total of six outlets. The charging stations are available for public use, and can be used by anyone who lives in Herning or is just passing through.

Verdo expects the charging stations to supply around 65,000 kWh annually to approx. 1,900 motorists. Preparations have already been made for another rapid charger, which can be installed when demand has increased.

Verdo presented at the Danish District Heating Association 2022 national conference

We met together with our sector peers when the Danish District Heating Association once again hosted its national conference. This is the biggest event of the year in the Danish district heating sector.

The days at Tivoli Congress Centre in Copenhagen offered exciting discussions with our peers about the future energy supply and how we can together accelerate towards a green Denmark, which was also the topic for this year’s conference.

It was a national conference in the shadow of the energy crisis. In 2022, the war in Europe put strain on security of supply, and that demands action.

Our answer was ‘combined technologies’. This was therefore also the overarching theme at Verdo’s stand, where we had exciting discussions with visitors about how to create a multi-pronged system based on different energy sources that talk to each other. And how combined technologies reduce dependence on one type of fuel, while increasing the efficiency of each plant. For the benefit of the climate and customers.

Verdo’s Head of Water and Digital Supply also took to the TECH stage at the national conference, and spoke about the first year of digital transformation in Verdo’s utility division. A transformation with a focus on the customer experience and efficiency. And a year of organisation, collaboration and learning.

Verdo Vand Verdo and Flexvirk

In 2022, Verdo partnered with the Flexvirk social enterprise, which offers various services on an hourly basis and under normal market conditions. Flexvirk offers a wide range of services, from cleaning and gardening to bookkeeping and warehousing.

Verdo has two atrium courtyards, which cannot be accessed by large garden machines. Verdo has therefore hired Flexvirk to take care of these. Flexvirk provides a worker to do the gardening and maintenance in the green area. Flexvirk also provides the HR management for this worker in relation to salary and sick leave.

The partnership is a win for both parties. Verdo is keen to support local initiatives that assist people on the fringe of the labour market, where these also offer value. For Flexvirk, the partnership allows them to give even more people on the fringe of the labour market the opportunity to be part of a safe working community, and thus a pathway back to the labour market.