Sustainable practice and carbon footprint tracking are becoming the norm. Some businesses struggle to adapt, others seize the shift as an opportunity to grow. Gondella has been making retail shelving systems for sixty years and is now adding photovoltaics and energy management on top.
Sixty years of manufacturing and one change of course
Gondella comes from Belgium and has been present in European markets for six decades. It expanded into Central and Eastern Europe in 1997. The company was originally focused on manufacturing, but under new management it took a strategic turn: it aims to thrive in retail across Central, Eastern and Southern Europe.
“When we first entered these markets, building customer trust and history was challenging. That is why we adopted a dynamic strategy, aligning closely with what retail chains prioritise today,” explains Dalibor Bosák, General Director of Gondella in the Czech Republic.
The conversation that changed the offer
Gondella first tried technology. It offered real-time inventory tracking and personalised advertising. The market response was tepid.
The turning point was a conversation with Billa, which introduced Gondella to its long-term sustainability plans and its commitment to climate neutrality. “This made us rethink what we could offer, not just to survive economically but to take on a part of the sustainability responsibility,” Bosák adds.
Certification and a second life for shelves
Billa was not alone. “The legislation is pushing for decarbonisation, so why not use this as an opportunity to differentiate ourselves in the market?”
The first move was product safety certification. Gondella reached some of the highest levels of TÜV SÜD certification, a distinction few can claim.
The second move grew out of a pilot project with Albert supermarkets, where Gondella had been repairing used shelves. It used to look like a burden. It turned out that repairing shelves is economically viable, so a new renovation division was created alongside the manufacturing line. “We focus on reducing waste, both in our operations and in our customers’ experience, and we present it as such,” says Bosák.
The market answered
At a recent Retail Summit, retailers asked whether Gondella could renovate products from other manufacturers as well. The company now runs a hybrid model: new products for new stores, renovated original shelves in existing ones.
The elevenfold jump that started the solar plant
“In 2021 we experienced a real challenge when our fixed energy prices ended during a geopolitical crisis, leading to an eleven-fold increase in energy costs,” Bosák recounts.
The answer was a 400 kWp photovoltaic system, with a further 700 kWp planned. Together they should cover about half of the annual consumption.
Measuring means knowing
"Measuring means knowing. Until now, we weren't measuring."
Gondella is now implementing energy management so that it can plan its next steps from data. That includes measuring its own carbon footprint and the footprint of the parent plant in Belgium.
“This approach aligns with our headquarters’ philosophy. Our vehicles are hybrid or electric, unique in our region,” Bosák highlights. As retail chains commit to carbon neutrality, Gondella expects these steps not only to meet customer expectations but to drive them.