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MET rewards a sustainable approach
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MET rewards a sustainable approach

November 14, 2019
It supports talent promotion in schools and obtains 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources: the company in question is called Zwack Unicum Nyrt., the winner of this year’s MET Innovation and Talent Award. The prize was presented at the Figyelő TOP 200 Gala event in Budapest.

Zwack Unicum’s activities include promoting talent and responsibility towards the environment. To this day, the Zwack family is still actively involved in the management of the company, which deals with the making and selling of distillates and spirits. Since 2010, Zwack has lent its support to the Ferenc Molnár Primary School in Budapest District IX, a Complex Instruction Program (KIP) reference school. KIP is centered around promoting talent by validating the principle “Everyone is good at something!” and aims to help children from different social backgrounds and knowledge catch up. The company also provides aid to the József Zwack Commerce and Catering School in Békéscsaba in the form of scholarships and possibilities for continuing education.

In addition to all the above, they also provide an office for the Magic Lamp Wish Granting Foundation at Zwack’s head office. The Foundation aims to fulfil the wishes of 260-280 children suffering from chronic diseases and being treated in Hungary.

Every second year, Zwack Unicum publishes a sustainability report and, starting from 1 September 2019, it will be obtaining 100 percent of the electricity it uses from certified renewable energy sources. They also devote special attention to efficient waste management: the company is continuously decreasing the amount of waste generated while increasing the ratio of recycling. They are now able to recycle 96 percent of production waste. Moreover, Zwack is developing its entire operations by taking into account the aspects of sustainability, from purchasing to daily operations, including decreasing the use of plastic advertising materials and using recycled paper for their packaging.

“The real value of a company is measured not only by its business results. The holistic approach that characterizes Zwack’s social responsibility is truly inspiring and exemplary,” said Gergely Szabó, CEO of MET Magyarország.

“Tradition, innovation, and sustainability: these are the three most important values at Zwack Unicum Nyrt. As a responsible company, we believe that we can attain sustainable development if we combine business results, social commitment, and the measures taken to protect the environment. We also feel that it is our responsibility to set an example and to help the younger generation, including anyone else who needs our help,” said Sándor Zwack, Chairman of the Management Board of Zwack Unicum Nyrt.

The MET Innovation and Talent Award, founded in 2015 by MET Magyarország, aims to reward the development of talent, innovative vision, and sustainable operations. The jury, consisting of the company’s leading executives, selects the winner from among the Figyelő TOP200 ranked companies and the most successful up-and-coming companies. MET is convinced that the greatest value is human resources, from which it follows that talent promotion is the most effective tool for increasing competitiveness.

 

MET Group

MET Group is a Swiss-based energy company with activities in European natural gas, power and oil markets. By way of its subsidiaries, MET is present in 15 countries, 26 national gas markets and 22 international trading hubs. In 2018, MET Group’s consolidated sales revenue amounted to EUR 10.72 billion. The Group is 100% owned by its managers and employees. The company’s workforce of over 1,700 employees currently comprises a total of 40 nationalities.

 

Zwack Unicum

Budapest-based Zwack Unicum Nyrt. was founded 229 years ago and is Hungary’s largest drink manufacturer. The company has a wide-ranging portfolio, with its uniquely Hungarian Unicum brand a leading presence on the global market. Unicum combines the effects of more than 40 different herbs obtained from all over the world. The fact that its secret recipe has remained unchanged for more than 229 years makes it quite unique. The company is currently led by Sándor Zwack and Izabella Zwack, the sixth generation of the family, who emphasize innovation in addition to maintaining traditions. After Unicum Plum, 2017 saw the introduction of Unicum Riserva, which is aged twice in two different, special casks. The product targets new audiences and blends the famous bittersweet taste of Unicum with that of Tokaji Aszu. The Zwack company is also a frontrunner in the revival of old production traditions and brands, including using a gin distilling technique dating back to the interwar period to make Kalumba Spiced Gin and breathing new life into the Lánchíd brandy name for the 170th anniversary of the opening of Hungary’s famous Chain Bridge. The company considers it important to participate in as many positive initiatives as possible: among others, it regularly supports the Children’s Clinic in Tűzoltó utca. As a family-owned business, it also lays a great deal of emphasis on volunteering.