DESA AUTOGLASS is the largest Swiss automotive glass specialist. With over 32 branches the company is spread throughout the country and serves its customers in the three main national languages: German, French, and Italian.
Kevin Rawyler has been with the company since
2022 and is responsible for the company’s
sustainability strategy.
DESA AUTOGLASS’ sustainability journey began with the founding of the company and is rooted in its business model and strategy. For over 25 years, the repair of windshields has been at the core of its activities. CO2 emissions have been systematically balanced since 2022, and there is a clear reduction target.
Initially, the focus was primarily on ecological factors. This means that all of the company’s CO2 emissions are systematically recorded, and measures to reduce them are defined and implemented. In the next step, social factors and governance were also further developed. In 2025, a comprehensive sustainability report will be published for the first time, summarizing all efforts in these areas.
Various measures have contributed to the results. For example, the step-by-step electrification of our courtesy and service vehicles. At a strategic level, it was decided that only all-electric courtesy vehicles would be procured. Furthermore, we recycle almost 100 % of the windshields we remove. The glass is separated from the film and processed into glass bottles, mineral wool or other glass products. Thanks to our close partnership with our suppliers, we have been able to ensure that the majority of our deliveries are packaging-free, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
The biggest challenges in our sustainability journey have mainly arisen in the collection of data. Much of the data had not yet been systematically analyzed and had to be identified and documented first. The experience we have gained is responsible for the fact that the data quality is improving year on year, and the reports are becoming increasingly meaningful.
On one hand, as Switzerland’s number one in our industry, we aspire to play a pioneering role in the area of sustainability. On the other hand, external factors such as the increasing demand for sustainable products or business practices and society’s growing awareness of environmental issues are also contributing to the company’s increased focus on sustainability.
Further steps will follow as we expand our commitment to sustainability in general and environmental management specifically. We will define a net-zero target for our carbon footprint and will be certified in accordance with the highest label of our sustainability partner by the end of 2025.
More sustainable solutions often have very positive side effects. As an alternative to our replacement vehicles, we are currently testing the use of e-bikes for customers in some regions. This initiative is highly appreciated by customers and also contributes to our high level of customer satisfaction.
Embark on this journey and include the entire workforce from the very beginning. Be curious to see what you will encounter and create enough resources to deal with this topic seriously. Don’t look at the whole thing critically, but with an open mind, and challenge the status quo. Make sure that you can learn from your experiences in the long term.
Sustainability has always played, and will always play, a key role in the automotive glass industry. It may not have been so obvious from the outset, but sustainability is a fundamental driver for the raison d’être of automotive glass specialists. It will be exciting to see to what extent emissions can be reduced in the manufacture of glass, for example, through the increased use of recycled glass. However, as glass specialists, we have the greatest influence ourselves by repairing damaged windshields whenever it makes sense, rather than replacing them.
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