About our CSR work

Please find the attached article about our CSR work. It was published in a large Swedish business traveling magazine.

http://digitaltidning.se/magazine/275 Page 46-47

Here is a translation of the article:

Why do Swedish business leaders meet with the UN on Midsummer’s Eve?

Maxibit Worldwide’s CEO Christian Ahlberg is a member of the Government’s reference group for Corporate Social Responsibility and has a background as an entrepreneur. His father, inventor Erik Ahlberg, founded the company in 1978 and patented the world’s first foldable and reusable display systems. Maxibit is the only company in its industry approved by the United Nations for its environmental efforts. The program is called the UN Global Compact.

“All of our company’s fundamental business concept is based on the idea to reduce waste and increase reuse in the meeting industry,” says CEO Christian Ahlberg. Along with New York’s mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, and in 1300 representatives of major international companies and organizations at the City of New York at UN headquarters and the Marriott Marquis Hotel at Times Square from 23-25 June 2010, when the rest of us celebrated midsummer, to decide on future environmental and ethical commitments.

At the meeting, which consisted of the latest news from various expert panels interspersed with round-table discussion between delegates, among other issues, Christian emphasized the importance to involve and expand the involvement of all the world’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The UN Global Compact member companies can with various simple commitments contribute to the interest of the UN Global Compact and help the UNGC community grow rapidly. “As the CEO of Maxibit Worldwide, I am proud of the fact that our company, through our dedication and commitment, little by little actually change the business climate and thus the world to the better every day,” says Christian.

Maxibit has ever since the 70?s been pioneers and at the forefront in terms of environmental commitment in the meeting industry. 2007 the company took the plunge and pushed through the necessary decisions and took the measures necessary to become full members of the UN Global Compact as the first company in its industry. Maxibit continues its commitment to environmental and ethical issues beyond the UN Global Compact. One result of this engagement is that Maxibit were asked by the Swedish Government to participate in the Government’s reference group on Social Corporate Responsibility. A group of representatives from the Swedish industry, which regularly meet either at the Swedish Foreign Ministry or the Cabinet Office.

“Less than 1% of the companies in the world has more than 250 employees. This makes it crucial for the UN Global Compact’s success to reach out broadly to all small and medium enterprises”

The meeting in New York had the grand title “UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 10 Year – Building a new era for sustainability”. The meeting was chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the 1300 delegates came from all over the world. Among the ten delegates who shared tables with Christian was representatives of BP, Intel and the Nigerian government. Through the UN Global Compact and its 10 simple principles, companies helps to improve the situation in areas such as human rights, labor, environment and corruption. Maxibit participation in this year’s UNGC Leaders Summit was characterized by Christian’s colorful commitment to the role of small and medium-sized businesses.

One of the objectives of the meeting was to reach “The Tipping Point” is defined as when half the world’s companies are members of the UN Global Compact. And since money talks Maxibit’s CEO proposed that all Global Compact members would undertake to re-write their purchasing policies so that the UN Global Compact members becomes “first-choice suppliers”. This would create a very strong incentive for small and medium-sized businesses to join the UN Global Compact, which would help to achieve the goal faster and more importantly contribute to a better business environment and a healthier world for all of us in a very clear and powerful way.

“If all buyers could choose providers who are members of the UN Global Compact, our consumption would contribute to a fairer world, instead of ruthless exploitation”

“Accountability in the environment, ethics and quality are fundamental to our business strategy. Without these values, we simply would not be attractive partners for premium companies and thus not profitable, “said Christian and continues” but surprisingly many people still choose to ignore these issues and gives priority to low-price, even though it goes against their own values and policies. Greater accountability among all the world buyers would be welcome”. He further explains that it was during the 70?s big oil crisis, the current wear-and-tear-culture and the growing environmental movement that laid the foundations for Maxibits business. By refusing to compromise on these issues Maxibit continues to be attractive to the worlds strongest brands today. Brands seeking trustworthy and ethically sound stand solutions.

“CSR is a priority for Maxibit and after this meeting you really want to go one step further. There is so much we can do and this strategy can not fail. It’s just fantastic! “Concludes an enthusiastic Christian Ahlberg.

References and further information:

www.unglobalcompact.org, www.ud.se/ga
www.youtube.com/maxibitab, www.mymaxibit.com

Tags: UN Global Compact