The Challenge
Interroll Holding AG currently prepares its sustainability reporting on the basis of the GRI standards and the requi-rements of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR 964). In view of the upcoming European requirements (CSRD/ESRS) in accordance with the Omnibus Directive, the company was faced with the task of further developing its existing reporting processes. This included the harmonization of various regulatory requirements, the introduction of the new Workiva reporting platform and the establishment of a robust internal infrastructure for efficient and future-proof ESG reporting.
Goal
The Interroll Group is a leading global supplier of material handling solutions including conveyors and sorters, conveyor rollers, motors and drives for conveyor systems and pallet conveying and storage. Founded in 1959 and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1997, Interroll supplies companies in the express and postal services, e-commerce, airports, food & beverage, fashion, automotive and other industries. Its users include global brands such as Amazon, Bosch, Coca-Cola, DHL, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Walmart and Zalando. Interroll operates an international network of 36 companies and generated sales of CHF 527.1 million in the 2024 financial year with around 2,300 employees.
In light of the future CSRD and ESRS requirements, Interroll is pursuing a forward-looking approach: although the mandatory application of the CSRD has been postponed due to the Omnibus Directive (“stop-the-clock” for Wave 2 companies), the company is actively using the time gained to prepare. The aim was to build on the existing GRI reporting practice in the 2024 reporting year, together with Sustainserv:
- perform a double materiality analysis in accordance with CSRD/ESRS requirements,
- further develop the internal reporting processes,
- and at the same time maintain transparency towards the market and stakeholders through a GRI-compliant sustainability report.
A key component of this strategy was the introduction of Workiva as a platform to simplify data collection, report structuring and preparation for future regulatory obligations.
Workiva
Workiva is the leading cloud provider of connected data, reporting and compliance solutions. Headquartered in the US, Workiva provides a cloud-based platform that helps organizations meet complex reporting requirements efficiently, transparently and collaboratively.
The platform enables the central collection and maintenance of information and data, simplifies collaboration between internal and external stakeholders and reduces the susceptibility to errors by automatically updating linked content. Workiva supports both the creation of flexible reports according to existing standards such as GRI and the preparation for more comprehensive ESRS. By using networked data and automated processes, Workiva sustainably improves the quality, traceability and efficiency of sustainability reporting.
Our Approach
Interroll deliberately pursues a “Backstage Preparation” and “Centerstage Presentation” strategy: In the background – with the support of Sustainserv – information and data for selected ESRS disclosure requirements are collected in a targeted manner and existing gaps are closed (“Backstage Preparation”). At the same time, Interroll continues to present developed content in best-practice reports using the established GRI standard in order to meet Swiss regulatory requirements in a structured manner while remaining flexible and in line with market requirements (“Centerstage Presentation”).
We supported Interroll in the content conception and implementation of this approach and in setting up the new reporting infrastructure. Sustainserv supported the entire content development and structuring of the report, while Linkgroup was responsible for the technical implementation within Workiva and the design of the report.
Workiva served as a centralized, shared working tool for all stakeholders. The platform enabled seamless navigation, a more efficient report development process and direct collaboration on the final layout target image. Changes and comments could be tracked transparently at any time, significantly improving quality assurance and process reliability. It also created the basis for automatically transferring data from previous years in future, thereby further increasing the efficiency and consistency of ESG reporting.
Results
By closely dovetailing strategic preparation and technical implementation, Interroll laid the foundation for scalable, future-oriented ESG reporting that meets both current market requirements and upcoming regulatory standards.
The use of Workiva not only facilitated the preparation of the Sustainability Report 2024, but also helped to establish a sustainable infrastructure for future reporting. All relevant information and data is recorded centrally, maintained consistently and can be tracked at all times. Changes, comments and developments are systematically documented, which offers considerable added value, particularly for preparation for future CSRD and ESRS reports and their auditability.
Workiva thus proved to be a valuable tool for preparing efficiently, systematically and proactively for upcoming reporting obligations. Thanks to the close content and technical collaboration between Interroll, Sustainserv and Linkgroup, the Sustainability Report 2024 was implemented efficiently and in line with market requirements, reducing the susceptibility to errors in the process.
“Thanks to the close cooperation with Sustainserv, Linkgroup and the introduction of Workiva, we were able to efficiently develop our ESG reporting and create the basis for a sustainable, regulatory-compliant reporting infrastructure.”
Patrick Wedewardt, Director Corporate Sustainability, Interroll Holding AG
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