Sustainability

Responsible entrepreneurial activity and sustainable corporate management have always determined Allreal’s strategy and operation. The company is aware of and assumes its responsibility toward the environment and the society.

The code of conduct applying to the entire Allreal Group describes the expected behaviour of employees, contractors and suppliers, thereby defining the guidelines to be respected and observed without exceptions and limitations. The observance of high ethical standards of behaviour characterised by personal responsibility and the strict adherence to national and international legislation of significance to the company represents the basis of all entrepreneurial activity.

Economic responsibility

Allreal endeavours to provide its shareholders with a regular return that is comparable to a direct investment in real estate and which allows shareholders to participate in the company’s economic success. The proven successful business model combines a stable-income real estate portfolio with the activities of a general contractor. Up to 75% of the earnings resulting from the operating business are distributed to shareholders. Allreal invests the remaining approximately 25% of operating earnings in new or initiated projects intended for its own portfolio or for sale to third parties.

Allreal enjoys an outstanding reputation and a broad basis of trust among shareholders and investors thanks to its clear strategy, careful exposure to risk, sound financing and high earnings power. This competitive advantage was developed over the years and allows Allreal to continue on its growth path and steadily increase its enterprise value.

A clear commitment to a sustainable business policy across the long term and dealings with all stakeholders characterised by respect and mutual trust represent an inherent part of the corporate culture. They keep their validity irrespective of economic goals and parameters. Allreal especially recognises its responsibility toward government institutions, its employees and its contractual partners.

Ecological responsibility

While the impact on the environment may be minimised when constructing or operating real estate, it cannot be eliminated completely. Efforts to minimise environmental pollution usually lead to higher production costs which frequently contradict economic interests, at least in the short term. Allreal is aware of this conflict, and the company strives to limit its impact on the environment to a minimum and to make frugal use of limited resources. Whenever possible, Allreal chooses ecological projects and advises its clients concerning environmentally friendly implementation of their construction projects. Furthermore, Allreal endeavours to protect the environment and preserve non-renewable resources by ensuring compliance with the applicable provisions of environmental law, the promotion of energy-saving measures, and sustainable construction. In this connection, Allreal has made a name for itself as a pioneer and trailblazer in the development, planning and implementation of ecologically exemplary projects. The company has realised more than 50 Minergie buildings since the year 2000, including the zero-heating-energy Eulachhof complex in Winterthur, which was granted the Swiss Solar Award and the Watt d’Or. Moreover, Allreal is currently implementing Switzerland’s first building complex – Richti Wallisellen – that complies with the requirements of the 2000-watt society.

In terms of operating and maintaining its own income-producing real estate, Allreal also endeavours to keep the strain on the environment as low as possible. For its income-producing properties, the company gathers, measures and analyses energy consumption, water consumption and CO2 emission based on the internationally accepted recommendations of the European Public Real Estate Association. The systematically gathered data provides a precise inventory of the current status as well as a multi-year comparison, which is of relevance for the definition of sustainable measures. The key figures will for the first time be included in the 2012 annual report and continuously supplemented.

Society and social responsibility

Efficient, capable and experienced employees are of major importance with regard to successful long-term business activity. That is why Allreal attaches great significance to continuing and systematic further training of its employees at all hierarchical levels and in all areas of activity.

An employee survey carried out twice a year ensures that conflict potential is recognised early and corresponding measures are defined and implemented on time.

To keep the quality of the services provided at a consistently high level, Allreal maintains a management system that applies to all employees and in which all processes and procedures are bindingly defined. Moreover, all aspects concerning occupational safety and safety on the construction site are clearly defined. Adherence to the applicable safety regulations is regularly monitored by an internal safety management representative.

Allreal cultivates ongoing communications with its employees, customers, contractors and suppliers and exchanges ideas with representatives of politics, the authorities, political parties and associations based on open and transparent communications with all stakeholders. In addition, Allreal supports cultural and social organisations within the framework of long-term agreements.