For EnerSys, any definition of sustainability success starts with a robust foundation of high-integrity data. And it is this data that helps them set sustainability goals, track progress towards them, and even receive international recognition for it.
EnerSys is committed to achieving Scope 1 neutrality by 2040, Scope 2 neutrality by 2050, and reducing their water and energy intensity by 25% by 2030. However, consolidating and managing data across more than 150 sites worldwide is no small feat for a global manufacturer.
We spoke with Samuel Shiroff, Senior Director of Global Sustainability, Christina Sivulka, Global Sustainability Senior Manager, and Anna Zauner, Global Sustainability Specialist, to find out how EnerSys managed to become a sustainability leader it is today.
Challenge: Data traceability, accuracy, and transparency
The EnerSys team has been driving the integration of sustainability into manufacturing, recognizing that while data collection presents its own challenges, the greater difficulty often lies in verifying that data and ensuring accountability.
Christina Sivulka highlighted the issue EnerSys faced when she joined the company three years ago:
“We were collecting tens of thousands of data points each year from our sites and did not have a fast way to cross-check and validate those inputs.”
But let’s take a moment to consider the numbers first.
EnerSys is an ~11,000-person company with 29 factories, around more than 150 global sites, and a presence in over 100 countries. This means a complex web of data points and stakeholders you need to keep accountable for the numbers they bring into your system.
“If the data isn’t accurate, it’s impossible to measure progress or meet goals effectively.” Christina noted.
Needless to say, EnerSys remained steadfast in their commitment to building a system where every data point is traceable and fully explainable, allowing them to focus on driving sustainability progress rather than chasing numbers.
Sam elaborates on this:
“We needed a system that ensures accurate reporting without consuming excessive time, allowing us to focus on making meaningful improvements.”
Solution: A comprehensive sustainability tool with traceability at its core
It was clear to the EnerSys team that the volume of data they needed to process, trace, and analyze required advanced software capabilities. They turned to Tracera and discovered it was exactly what they needed to succeed at scale on their sustainability journey.
The ability to upload, trace, and automatically analyze bills was particularly helpful for the team, as it provided the source of the data alongside the data points used to calculate Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water usage.
An additional advantage was the AI’s capacity to extract this data directly from PDFs, significantly streamlining the process by enabling validation rather than manual entry.
In comparison, the old process — where every data point had to be manually entered, bills requested from providers, and cross-checked — would have required someone working a full-time job to manage it.
This transition significantly reduced the manual effort required to manage data, enabling the team to focus on achieving sustainability goals rather than administrative tasks. As the saying goes, “what gets measured gets managed,” and this approach has allowed EnerSys to gain deeper insights into its performance and impact.
This data-driven approach has helped EnerSys measure progress towards its 2030 energy intensity targets. Since 2020, the team has already achieved a 15% improvement toward its goal of reducing energy intensity per kWh produced at U.S. plants by 25% by 2030.
Result: a robust foundation of high-integrity data and regulatory success
EnerSys selected Tracera as their platform for obtaining reliable and traceable sustainability data. As a global company that must comply with many EU disclosure guidelines, and a supplier whose customers ask their own sustainability questions, EnerSys understands the importance of underpinning its data infrastructure, as well as driving transparency and accountability in their sustainability efforts.
With Tracera’s support, EnerSys has strengthened data control to prioritize regulatory compliance while cultivating a company-wide focus on sustainability. This transformation has enabled sustainability data to drive operational efficiencies, while also enhancing conversations with customers.
On the challenge of growing regulatory pressure, Sam adds:
“Some of the regulatory requirements have become incredibly intense and time-consuming, but that’s where Tracera comes in to help us.”
Mitigating risk, creating opportunities
If there is one thing leaders need to remember going forward it’s that a well-executed sustainability program needn’t be just about reporting but can also support company-wide efforts to uncover opportunities to save time, money and resources, and ultimately impact the top and bottom line.
On this point, Sam explains:
“Sustainability creates transparency, then opportunities for efficiency and ultimately for a competitive advantage.”
Setting the foundation right and getting leadership buy-in for sustainability programs is the way to mitigate risk and create opportunities for success.
After all, it’s not only about fulfilling regulatory obligations but about ensuring the health, success, and longevity of the business. It is about building a brand customers trust and love.
The Tracera team is pleased to support EnerSys on their journey and remains committed to the continuous improvement that enables all of its customers to achieve their goals.
