Hammer successfully completes its EcoVadis Assessment
Customer: Hammer GmbH & Co. KG
Category: Transportation & Logistics
Hammer GmbH & Co. KG operates in the field of transportation and warehouse logistics services and undertook its first EcoVadis assessment. For Hammer, the focus was not only on formal participation but also on developing a solid understanding of the assessment methodology and the organizational requirements of the process. Furthermore, the goal was to lay the groundwork for establishing EcoVadis as a valuable source of input for the long-term development of the company’s sustainability management system.
As part of a joint project, DFGE supported Hammer during its first participation in the EcoVadis assessment. The objective was to help the company understand the requirements and create a solid foundation for the rest of the process. This enabled Hammer to approach the assessment in a structured manner with clear guidance.
Sebastian Pickshaus
Sustainability Manager and Head of Purchasing, Hammer GmbH & Co. KG
“It was important for us to take a structured approach to our first EcoVadis assessment right from the start. The workshop and the clear data management plan helped us understand the requirements and work in a targeted manner internally.”
Challenges
Identifying the Right Supporting Documents
As a first-time participant, Hammer faced a number of typical initial hurdles. These included understanding the EcoVadis methodology, categorizing the individual questions, and selecting appropriate supporting documents. The limit of 55 documents proved particularly challenging.
Especially during an initial assessment, it is crucial to prioritize available resources wisely. Not all information contributes equally to the score, and not every document is equally relevant to the assessment. For Hammer, it was therefore important to rank the questionnaire’s questions by relevance and to understand which supporting documents are particularly suitable for providing a robust and score-relevant answer.
Solution
From Analysis to a Concrete Action Plan
The DFGE first held a workshop with representatives from various departments. The goal was to establish a common understanding of the EcoVadis assessment—from the methodology and documentation requirements to the questions that are particularly important for the evaluation. During the discussion, potential answers were evaluated together, and initial supporting documents were identified.
Subsequently, DFGE developed a prioritized data management plan with detailed feedback on all questions in the questionnaire. The plan clearly outlined which documents could be attached as supporting evidence and which topics and documents should be prioritized. In addition, DFGE provided practical recommendations for completing the questionnaire.
Another key component was the consultation on industry classification. EcoVadis had initially classified Hammer in an industry that was not the best fit from a technical standpoint. Together, we examined which classification best reflected the company’s operational activities. As a result, the classification was adjusted to a category that more accurately reflects Hammer’s activities in transportation and warehouse logistics as a whole. This classification also improves the foundation for a coherent questionnaire and appropriate supporting documentation—serving as a basis for further development in the coming years.
This provided Hammer with a structured foundation to independently and purposefully complete the remaining steps of the process.
Result
Successful Initial Assessment with Lasting Added Value
The result of Hammer’s first participation was a strong start: 79 out of 100 points, placing it among the top 6% of all assessed companies worldwide. This earned Hammer the EcoVadis Silver Medal right from its very first assessment.
What was particularly valuable was not only the result itself, but also the process leading up to it: Through structured preparation, prioritizing the relevant questions, and carefully selecting appropriate supporting documentation, Hammer was able to manage the assessment process efficiently and transparently.
The Silver Medal provides a solid foundation for the next assessment cycle – with a realistic chance of taking another step forward in the next round and setting its sights on Gold.
Sebastian Pickshaus
Sustainability Manager and Head of Purchasing, Hammer GmbH & Co. KG
“DFGE fully met our expectations for this collaboration and even exceeded them in many aspects. The entire process was professional from start to finish, while at the same time making for a very pleasant working relationship. Their support on specific issues—such as the question of a possible adjustment to the company category—was also particularly valuable. It was precisely this reliable guidance that contributed significantly to the outstanding result.”
