Cabka: a sustainability function built from zero, ahead of an IPO

The context

Cabka is a top-three global manufacturer of plastic pallets and foldable containers, making circular logistics products from recycled materials. The company was preparing for its IPO, and for the ESG expectations that come with being listed.

It had a newly promoted Sustainability Director and an intern. What it did not have was established governance, a strategy, or systems suitable for listed-company ESG expectations.

The mandate

I entered ahead of the IPO to design and establish the entire sustainability function: working directly with the Sustainability Director to create governance, operating mechanisms, priorities and KPIs, coordinate external consultants, and lay the foundations of a credible, investor-grade ESG capability.

What I did

• Mapped the right internal stakeholders across sustainability-related topics: energy, emissions, innovation, HR and operations.
• Coordinated the sustainability reporting and materiality process together with external consultants.
• Helped establish the company’s first cross-functional sustainability working model and internal governance structure.
• Supported the new Sustainability Director in shaping the role, priorities and management approach.
• Trained leaders and key contributors on corporate sustainability, reporting and cross-functional responsibilities.
• Helped define the first building blocks for targets, metrics and performance tracking.
• Co-led the development of the company’s first pilot sustainability report.

The results

• The company’s first structured corporate sustainability management system.
• More cohesive, group-level sustainability conversations across functions and sites.
• A stronger sustainability narrative and investor-facing positioning.
• Progress in ESG ratings such as EcoVadis and CDP, including EcoVadis Gold for the first time and later Platinum.
• A business prepared for the expectations that come with being publicly listed.