Question

1. What environmental issues does the New Belgium Brewing Company work to address? How has New Belgium Brewery taken a strategic approach to addressing these issues?

2. Explain some of factors that contribute to New Belgium's high marks in sustainability. What makes this company stand out from others?

3. Since New Belgium is 100% employee owned, do you believe this business model contributes to the company's financial success? How does being an owner / operator in the company impact daily performance and customer service? Please explain your position.

Answer 1

Answer 1- The New Belgium Brewing Company is a nationally distributed a completely employee-owned craft brewery which is considered worldwide as a leader in environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The company 's core values and beliefs are strong about environmental protection and hence they strive to minimize its impact upon the environment.

Below are some of the environmental issues that Belgium Brewing Company work to address and also the strategic approach taken to address these-

1.CO2 emmision-One of the environmental concern of Belgium Brewing Company was to not over-exploit coal energy resources and emit CO2 which was harmful for the environment. In order to indulge in cost efficient energy saving, the company invested in trying out energy-saving alternatives. The brewery’s employee-owners then unanimously invested in a wind turbine as an alternative source of energy. Belgium brewery is now the first ever fully wind-powered company in the the United States.

2. Waste products-New Belgium also takes initiattive in reducing waste emission by recycling and reusing their supplies creatively. The company recycles as many supplies as possible like glass bottling, office materials, boxes, cartoons.cardboards, caps etc. They also invite the local farmers to pick up the grains for free, to feed the cattles, which they store in their premises without throwing it out. They adopt the strategy of 3rs-reduce, reuse, recycle in order to minimise environmental waste.

3. Air pollution- In order to minimise air pollution from the cars and bikes of the employees, Belgium Brewing Compan encourages its employees to use alternative transportation which do not cause air pollution. They even gifts their employees “cruiser bikes” which do not cause air pollution.

4. Green technology- New Belgium has been using green building technologies since a long time. With each expansion of the facility they use new technology whuch are eco friendly and minimalist. They use sun tubes and daylighting throughout the facility to reusing heat in the brewhouse instead of using electricity, they continue to search for new ways to close loops and conserve resources in every ways possible.