In November 2023, the Schernhammer family’s restaurant in Kienberg, which also serves as Worthington’s company canteen, launched a remarkable initiative supported by the sustainability department of Worthington Sustainable Energy Solutions’ Kienberg branch. “As a company committed to sustainability, we are fully behind the campaign and are helping to drive it forward! By doing so, we are helping to save unnecessary costs and natural resources, which ultimately benefits the stock market and the environment,” says Sustainability Director Gabriele Zeilerbauer.
To save food from going to waste, a digital and internal Worthington group was created via a text messaging app where Worthington employees can vote on weekdays whether they want to grab a lunch menu, and if so, which of the two daily changing menu options they want. “It works so well that we hardly have any leftovers! And if there are leftovers, I just post them in the group. Then someone usually gets in touch and wants to take the discounted menus,” says Chef Heidi Schernhammer. The project also has a positive impact on human resources. “The group gives us a good overview of how many people will be eating at lunchtime. This allows us to deploy our staff in the best possible way,” adds Service Manager Stefan Schernhammer.
However, the Schernhammer team does not just cater to Worthington at lunchtime, but around the clock. Since taking over the restaurant, the Schernhammers have also taken care of the vending machines at the Worthington site. There is always something to satisfy the small or large appetite, including snacks, candy and beverages. Recently, salads, spreads, bread, sausages, yogurt and fruit have been added to the vending line. In the future, Heidi and Stefan plan to offer complete meals as vending machine contents, such as leftover portions. Freshness is guaranteed because the owners check the vending machines several times a day.
Photo: Restaurant tenants Heidi (left) and Stefan (right) Schernhammer fill Worthington’s vending machines 2 to 3 times a day, Monday through Sunday.
About Worthington
Worthington Enterprises Europe is the largest designer and manufacturer of pressure vessels in the region with over 1,600 employees working at facilities in Austria, Poland and Portugal. Worthington is the first in its industry to incorporate sustainable practices into its long-term business strategy.
With the lightest composite and steel low- and high-pressure cylinders available, Worthington designs and makes solutions for technical gases, industrial gases, and alternative fuels. The Company invests strategically in production facilities that serve the sustainable mobility market with gas-storage, transport and onboard fueling systems for cars, buses, trucks and more.
Worthington Enterprises (NYSE: WOR) is a designer and manufacturer of market-leading brands that help enable people to live safer, healthier and more expressive lives. Worthington Enterprises operates with three segments: Building Products, Consumer Products and Sustainable Energy Solutions. Worthington’s emphasis on innovation and transformation extends to building products including water systems, heating and cooling solutions, architectural and acoustical grid ceilings and metal framing and accessories, and consumer products in tools, outdoor living and celebrations categories sold under brand names Coleman®, Bernzomatic®, Balloon Time®, Level5 Tools®, Mag Torch®, Well-X-Trol®, General®, Garden-Weasel®, Pactool International® and Hawkeye™. Worthington Enterprises also serves the growing global hydrogen ecosystem through on-board fueling systems and gas containment solutions.
Founded in 1955 as Worthington Industries, Worthington Enterprises follows a people-first Philosophy with earning money for its shareholders as its first corporate goal. Worthington Enterprises achieves this outcome by empowering its employees to innovate, thrive and grow with leading brands in attractive markets that improve everyday life. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Enterprises employs approximately 5,000 people throughout North America and Europe. Worthington Enterprises engages deeply with local communities where it has operations through volunteer efforts and The Worthington Companies Foundation, participates actively in workforce development programs and reports annually on its corporate citizenship and sustainability efforts. For more information, visit worthingtonenterprises.com.
Any questions?
Todd Cesaratto
Director of Communications + Marketing | Europe
Worthington Enterprises
+43 664 8868 2632
todd.cesaratto@wthg.com