Farm Trans & Sustainability: Interview with Winfred van Houwelingen – CFO

We need to collaborate within the supply chain, according to Winfred van Houwelingen. Over a year ago, he joined Farm Trans as Chief Financial Officer. In his role, he is closely involved in the company’s sustainability strategy and the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will become mandatory from the 2025 financial year.

You have been with Farm Trans for over a year now. How would you describe the company and its sustainability ambitions?

“Farm Trans is truly a family business, which appeals to me greatly. Everything revolves around good employment practices and fostering sustainable relationships with customers, suppliers, partners, and our employees. Sustainability has become increasingly relevant, not only due to laws and regulations but also because of our family business ethos. We are intrinsically motivated to reduce our footprint and contribute to a better world. Currently, we are working hard on reassessing our sustainability strategy. We will of course ensure compliance with the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement and follow all relevant developments. We aim to collaborate closely with our customers and suppliers and aspire to become more of a supply chain director. As a 4PL partner, we aim to unburden our customers and optimise the entire supply chain.”

How do you map out the sustainability ambitions of stakeholders? And how does your own vision align with them?

“We conduct interviews with suppliers, shareholders, customers, financiers, and colleagues. What do they consider the most important topics in terms of corporate social responsibility? What do they expect, and how can we align with those expectations? We combine the outcomes of these interviews with our own vision. Relevant topics include climate change, the energy transition, and reducing our emissions. But the social component is equally important. We place great value on fair working conditions and good working environments. Every day, hundreds of drivers and vehicles are on the road for us. We are responsible for their safety and well-being, which is why we invest in reliable, safe, and comfortable equipment, as well as a safe and pleasant working environment.”

What exactly is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and how is Farm Trans progressing with preparations?

“The basis of the CSRD is the double materiality analysis. This means we assess the impact Farm Trans has on ESG aspects (Environmental, Social, and Governance). We also evaluate the sustainable opportunities and financial risks we face due to changing circumstances, sustainability goals, and new laws and regulations. We are currently mapping everything out and making it measurable. We are accustomed to reporting financial data, and now we need to get a handle on all the other data too. Starting in the summer of 2024, we will receive assistance from our new Sustainability Manager. She has extensive experience in our industry, and we are confident we will be ready to meet all the CSRD requirements on time.”