Genelec HQ

Genelec is a company that sets a high standard for sustainable development in the AV industry and is committed to treating sustainability with equal importance as sound quality and profitability. The company has designed and manufactured long-lasting and repairable products since 1978.

Genelec’s strong ethics are evident in its careful selection of suppliers and its treatment of staff. It remains true to its core sustainable philosophy, ensuring the company grows in a sustainable manner by investing in the well-being and training of its staff, as well as designing technology that will provide decades of reliable service.

Genelec products make extensive use of recycled material, as all its aluminium enclosures are made of recycled aluminium. In 2020, 97% of the purchased aluminium was recycled.

Genelec products’ power consumption has been systematically reduced through research and development. Over the years, the new products have been equipped with D-class amplifiers, that are more energy efficient compared to AB-class amplifiers. In 2013, the company introduced an Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) for power consumption reduction in standby mode.

The Genelec factory, located in Iisalmi, Finland, uses certified electricity, coming from renewable sources.

The company has the ISO 14001 certificate, which creates a framework for an effective environmental management system.

The company has the ISO 9001 certificate, which helps to ensure that the customers receive consistent, good-quality products and services.

The company created a code of conduct for employees in 2019. It reflects the core values of Genelec and demonstrates the acceptable and ethical behaviour to be followed by the employees.

Genelec has considered environmental and ethical issues in its purchasing policies since 2000. It created a supplier Code of Conduct in 2023 to ensure that its suppliers meet several sustainability criteria.

Genelec has long championed power efficiency through its extensive use of class-D amplification and ISS power-saving standby technology. These features in the growing range of Smart IP networked loudspeakers, recently expanded at ISE 2023.

Another development was the use of EcoOnline chemical manager software to control what chemicals are used in manufacturing processes, helping to reduce overall chemical use.

Genelec’s cardboard supplier uses approximately 24% recycled material. The recycled material used varies due to the required strength and durability (Excel document attached).

Genelec analysed its individual products in an internal study in 2012, to obtain the carbon equivalent emissions (CO2 eq.) of 100 years of global warming potential (GWP100) and to better understand its environmental impact. Models 5040, 5051, 6010, 8020, 8030, 8040, 8050, 8260, M030 and M040 were studied.

Recent developments in the circular economy include an introduction of a RAW aluminium product family – these products have no painting or lacquer and less surface treatment, using fewer chemicals.

Genelec has studied a circular business model to ensure that materials are retained within productive use, in a high-value state, for as long as possible. Forming part of this circular model is the Genelec Certified Pre-Owned program, piloted in 2022.

Having been tested and approved by its service experts and supported by a two-year parts-and-labour warranty, Genelec Certified Pre-Owned loudspeakers were available to purchase via a small network of authorised Genelec dealers, who provide the highest levels of customer service, backed up by Genelec’s own support team. Offering the same exceptional audio quality and reliability, these models function as though they were new.

Improved serviceability for old products (1037A, 1038A, 1022A, 1019), extending their lifetime and reducing the need for new production, tying in with Genelec’s support for the circular economy.

Genelec is also currently in the process of extending its parts-and-labour warranty from two to five years, and this will be officially rolled out in 2023.

Since early 2000, Genelec purchasing policies have contained a specific section on environmental and ethical issues. It is a nine-part questionnaire. Travel distances and logistic methods for materials are seriously considered and nearby suppliers are preferred.

Genelec has created a Code of Conduct for suppliers, which will be implemented in 2023. It helps to communicate the values and ethical behaviour that is expected not just from the company itself, but its partners. The code of conduct for suppliers addresses topics such as human rights, safe working conditions, respectful and fair employee treatment and environmental management.

Furthermore, Genelec has an up-to-date recycling centre inside its factory. This collects metals, biowaste, electronics waste, hazardous substances, mixed waste, plastics, wood waste, and paper in containers that their waste partner empties and recycles.

To ease the identification of plastic recycling, the majority of plastic parts inside products are labelled with appropriate markings. The packaging materials are recyclable.

Genelec has also made major recent updates to the use of recycling in its factory.

For instance, Genelec’s recycling rate is improving due to its new waste recycling centre. In 2021 60% of all waste was recycled, fulfilling the target that was set. In 2022 the target (65%) was not achieved as the rate was 52% due to factory construction work. To improve the recycling rate, a development project with its recycling partner and employee training was arranged.

For cardboard and energy waste, waste compactors with remote monitoring are used, which notifies the waste handling company when the press needs to be emptied.

In 2023, Genelec realised that the breakdown rate for its biodegradable plastic packaging was too long. In response, Genelec changed to a supplier that provides bags that consist of 30% Post Industrial Recycled (PIR) plastic, as referenced in the attached certificate.

Genelec is committed to the continuous improvement of sustainability. To identify strengths and weaknesses the company undertook an internal ESG audit in 2021. The 2021 ESG audit concluded that Genelec’s biggest strengths are in these areas:

1. Labour rights, welfare, and wellbeing
2. Environmental management

Whereas the areas that offer the biggest potential for further development are:
1. Sustainable procurement (i.e., supplier sustainability report development, risk mapping, cooperation with key suppliers etc.)
2. Sustainable Communication (addressed via the new sustainability pages at www.genelec.com/sustainability)
3. Sustainability reporting
4. Sustainable development goals

This ESG audit acted as the precursor to creating a Supplier Code of Conduct, which will be implemented in 2023.

Genelec has been ISO 14001 compliant since 2005. This helps to improve environmental performance through efficient use of resources and systematic management of environmental issues. This accreditation has led Genelec to complete several further environmental initiatives detailed in this entry.

Genelec is ISO 9001 compliant. The certificate is based on quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and involvement of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. Following ISO 9001 helps to ensure that Genelec’s customers always receive consistent, good-quality products and services.

Genelec has systematically put efforts into reducing the power consumption of its products. Due to its energy efficiency, class D amplifiers have replaced the AB amplifiers. In 2013, the company introduced an Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) feature to meet with both European Union ErP (Energy-Related Products) Directives and the company’s own wider sustainability commitments.

All Genelec products meet all EU requirements including RoHS, REACH, WEEE. Genelec follows the European Energy Related Products (ErP) directive and the Eco Design Directive (EuP).

Since the company’s founding 45 years ago, Genelec products have been designed for a long lifecycle. These design principles of Genelec – long lifecycle, repairability, and long-lasting design – are significant aspects of its circular economy.

Genelec had its first internal ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) audit in 2021 to better understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Genelec seeks continuous improvement through the innovation of its dedicated personnel. For example, Genelec’s ‘Certified Pre-Owned’ program, designed to offer a new home to old products, was piloted in 2022.

In 2020, 97% of the aluminium used in Genelec’s designs was recycled, with the three major sources being beverage cans, old automobile parts and scrap from the production of new aluminium parts and components. The aluminium cabinets used in Genelec products are manufactured with recycled aluminium. The main supplier of these aluminium enclosures has committed to using recycled aluminium.

As well as adhering to international environmental standards such as ISO 14001, Genelec ensures that its stakeholders are aware of various sustainability issues and ethical behaviour. In 2019, Genelec implemented a Code of Conduct for its employees. To further improve upon the awareness of its stakeholders, a supplier Code of Conduct was created, which will be implemented in 2023.