At the major industrial event “Smart Industry 2026”, A. Le Coq received the “Responsible Factory 2026” award in the Factory of the Year competition, confirming the company’s consistent commitment to sustainable and innovative production.
Sustainability as a management principle
According to jury member Raul Kirsimäe, Head of Industry at Swedbank, A. Le Coq stood out for its clear and long-term strategy, which directly links sustainability with the company’s competitiveness.
“The company is characterized by a clear long-term strategy in which reducing environmental impact is deliberately tied to improving production efficiency and competitiveness. Sustainability is not treated as a separate goal here, but as a practical management principle,” said Kirsimäe.
According to him, this approach has enabled A. Le Coq to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen its market position.
Concrete steps to reduce environmental impact
In recent years, A. Le Coq has implemented several significant projects that combine environmental responsibility with business value. For example, the company has built a technological wastewater treatment plant that enables the production of biogas while reducing the pollution load of wastewater.
In addition, the company has invested in electric trucks, which have proven to be economically viable, and established a solar power plant that helps keep energy costs under control and reduces dependence on grid fees.
Automation projects and the introduction of heat pumps have also played an important role, increasing production efficiency and operational reliability.
Recognition confirms the right direction
For A. Le Coq, this award confirms that the company is moving in the right direction—combining a sustainable mindset, technological development, and a strong market position. The company emphasizes that these are not isolated environmental initiatives, but deliberate and systematic decisions that create value for consumers, employees, and the environment alike.
In the Factory of the Year competition, three main awards were presented: Barrus AS won in the large enterprise category, Tiksoja Puidugrupp AS in the small and medium-sized enterprise category, and A. Le Coq received the title of Responsible Factory 2026. The competition was held for the fifth time this year and is organized by the industry portal Tööstusuudised of Äripäev.
