European Environmental Award 2004

As a winner of Slovenian competition in the category of Environmentally Friendly Company, Gorenje, d.d. competed also for the European Awards for the Environment 2004, awarded by the European Commission for Environment. For Gorenje the environmental award means great acknowledgement and motivation for constant investments in protection of nature, which is one of the most important segments in the strategic policy of the Company.

As a winner of Slovenian contest organized by the magazine “Gospodarski vestnik”, by the National Ecological Development Fund, and the National Environmental Agency in the category of “Environmentally Friendly Company” in the year 2003, Gorenje qualified to compete for the European Awards for the Environment 2004 awarded by the European Commission for Environment.

Gorenje was one of the candidates for the European Award for the Environment among 100 companies from 17 countries. Companies competed in  four categories: environmental management based on permanent development, environmental product, environmentally friendly procedure, and international environmental partnership. Presentation of European Awards for the Environment took place within the Green Week events in Brussels from June 1 to June 4, 2004. Gorenje qualified for 12 finalists , selected in all four categories, and in the category of environmental management received the European Award for the Environment.

Nomination for the European Award for the Environment and actual receipt of the Award only confirms correct policy of Gorenje in its endeavours for permanent attitude towards the environment in balancing between environmental, social and economic requirements. Gorenje is one rare Slovenian companies for whom care for nature means not merely unnecessary expenses but competitive edge. For example, since 1980 the company has manufactured washing machines consuming only 39 litres of water per wash, while at the beginning they consumed up to 150 litres! In those times one wash consumed 3 kW/h, today only 0,9 kW/h of power. In the last ten years the production has been fully modernized, all sorts of energy and raw materials consumption were reduced, and so on. Past comprehensive investments in savings on all segments of production today yields considerable results, providing new development and increased competitive edge compared to competition. Such behaviour maintains natural balance both for our and for future generations, which is also the essence of the concept of permanent development in Gorenje, and a basic condition for cohabitation of the Company with its immediate and wider environment and its corporate culture.