Robert Dackeskog – Duni Group

Duni Group is a market leader in sustainable and innovative disposable articles for the set table and take-away, headquartered in Malmö and with international operations. The company offers high-quality and environmentally friendly products and packaging, to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future. Robert Dackeskog, CEO and President of Duni Group shares his insights and vision on how sustainability can be integrated into the company’s strategic plan and daily business.

Aiming to be the trusted sustainability leader in our industry

Duni Group has set ambitious ESG targets, and more importantly, metrics to reach those targets. Ultimately, Duni Group wants to become the trusted sustainability leader in its industry. “To achieve this goal, we need to improve our position in the market, the innovation of products, customer loyalty, and our people and culture program”, says Robert Dackeskog. “In the end, we want to be a speaking partner to restaurant owners who want to shape tomorrow’s food service industry.”

“We have a goal to be the trusted sustainability leader in our industry by 2030. To do this we need to improve our position in the market, the innovation of products, customer loyalty, and our people and culture program.”

Eventually, everyone will deliver on sustainability

“We want to be a reliable and purpose-driven company, and with those ambitions, we also need to take responsibility for how we manage that journey. In many ways, we want to inspire the world to ‘give more than we take’, which in the long run will come back to us”, says Robert Dackeskog. ”Eventually, everyone will deliver on sustainability, to shape the future of our planet. Our purpose is therefore to contribute today for the sake of future generations,” continues Robert. “At Duni Group, we say that if you desire to be a purpose-driven company you will also need to take a greater responsibility for all your actions as a company.”

Leadership is more important than ever

“With integrated sustainability into strategic plans and business operations, leadership has become more important than ever. To attract and maintain financial investors, we need to deliver on our ESG targets, or we will become irrelevant,” Robert says. “We, therefore, have five people working with integration of sustainability and reporting thereof in order for us to “Live the change”, which is what we believe will make us the trusted sustainability leader we want to be. For example, we have changed all electricity to fossil-free sources in all our European factories and we are working on similar changes regarding gas. Furthermore, we want to reach net zero CO2 commission”, Robert declares, “Therefore, I believe that leaders in an organization have a huge responsibility in impacting these decisions and actions, in order to determine where the company is heading.”

“I believe that leaders in an organization have a huge responsibility in impacting decisions and actions, in order to determine where the company is heading.”

Realizing diversity and inclusion

“Part of leadership is to include people in your discussions and route ahead. Since inclusion is the only way to gain diversity into your decisions”, says Robert Dackeskog. Based on that insight, Duni Group has established a Diversity & Inclusion Board. The Board is leading a program with components such as inclusive recruitment and including refugees in working life via the organization Mitt Liv. “We also invest in our teams, involving them in answering work-related questions which provides the company with a greater transparency into topical issues we will need to address or successfully do more of”, says Robert.

The integration of sustainability is key to growth

“At Duni Group, we are building a platform for sustainable growth. Consumers want to eat and drink sustainably, and by providing sustainable dining and packaging solutions to the food service industry, we ourselves also build a platform for sustainable growth. We have been on the market for 70 years and we intend to be on the market for at least another 70 years. Relevance is what determines whether customers will buy your products or not,” Robert states.

Lastly, Robert clarifies: “To maintain relevance, we also invest in innovation projects, pilots that will help us increase our future growth. One of these projects is Unmo which wants to nourish the restaurant market by providing a digital platform where restaurant owners and potential employees can meet. Unmo wants to be part of the solution and provide a home for young professionals who are seeking a long-term career in the industry. This takes us back to one of our core values, that you should always try to give more than you take and invest in society.”

“To give more than we take and invest in society is what will distinguish Duni Group among other companies when aiming for future growth.”