Reviving the Baltic Sea can be good business

Helsinki witnessed a unique event on February 10th when Baltic Sea Action Summit brought together the heads of the Baltic States and a large number of companies and non-governmental organisations to sign commitments for saving our shared Baltic Sea.

The Baltic Sea Action Summit introduced a new kind of approach to doing something good. The facilitator of the summit, Baltic Sea Action Group, has built a framework within which all the central parties can contribute with their specific expertise while taking part in the revival of the Baltic Sea. From the viewpoint of a company this is an ideal way of implementing good corporate citizenship – helping out has been made easy.

Why did Vacon decide to take part in the initiative? I would like to turn the question upside down – why not?

Vacon is established on the west coast on Finland, in Vaasa, so it has a close relationship with the patient in concern. Also, our products are directly connected to meeting the target of the project. Vacon’s products, frequency converters, are a key product both in saving energy and producing renewable energy also in water purification. Therefore it seems only natural that Vacon made a commitment to donate frequency converters to a water purification project, which will be designated later on by the Baltic Sea Action Group.

For us the commitment for taking part in the Baltic Sea initiative shows especially good corporate citizenship. It is also good business – these two can not, and should not be separated from each other. I believe that in the future ownership value will increase especially for companies that have realized the connection between good corporate citizenship and profitable business.

According to BSAG the best investment in the Baltic Sea is also a strategic one for the company. This ensures the sustainability of rescue operations beyond the sponsor viewpoint. Leading companies join their forces with governments and the private sector in solving supranational environmental problems.

Vacon also benefits from the commitment. The first and the most straightforward benefit is the pride that our staff feels for its employee. Water purification business is also a sector, which is important to us. We naturally want to take part in the forthcoming water purification projects of the region, and this way expand our business operations.

Actions are needed if we want to save the Baltic Sea. We have a strategy called Baltic Sea Action Plan and all the necessary means and tools for purifying the sea. Research producing new innovations and product development is also necessary, but the tools that we already have can help us getting started. The question is whether we want to, and are able to work together. We at least are proud to take part in the initiative.   

Director of Communications, Vacon Oyj