Techmar, based in Hengelo, may be a compact SME with twenty employees, but its ambitions and international reach are significant. The supplier of 12‑volt outdoor lighting delivers products to more than forty countries, with R&D in the Netherlands and production in China. That international supply chain brings opportunities, but also complex laws and regulations. With an ESG regulatory scan, Grant Thornton helps Techmar gain insight into relevant regulations and concrete next steps.
“Our products are developed here, produced in Asia and then shipped to the Netherlands and Hengelo for further distribution,” says Rob Baars, General Manager at Techmar. “We sell through landscapers, DIY retailers and specialised distributors, in Europe and beyond. And we continue to actively look for new markets.”
That international operation makes it necessary to comply with increasingly stringent European regulations. “In China, a lot is possible, but you have to specify exactly what a product must comply with,” Rob explains. “The overall picture of European and Dutch requirements is complex. To realise our growth ambitions, we were looking for a partner who could guide us through this. Expertise is important, but so is the personal connection – and we found that with Grant Thornton.”
Grant Thornton and Techmar first came into contact during an event on European legislation in Zwolle. Raluca Radu, Lead Impact & Technology Law at Grant Thornton Netherlands, spoke with Rob there. “It was immediately clear that Techmar is a typical SME with international ambitions and a strong product portfolio,” says Raluca. “I quickly saw where potential ESG bottlenecks could arise. With our experience, we could help them address these in a structured way.”
Grant Thornton sees this need for overview more often. “Many companies wonder which regulations are really relevant to their products or services,” Raluca explains. “There is more and more regulation, which makes it difficult to set priorities.”
“For many SMEs, ESG legislation can be overwhelming. With the scan, we quickly map out where the focus should be, what needs to happen now and what can be addressed in the longer term.” Emphasises Lara Plandsoen, Senior Manager Value Chain Responsibility.
For Techmar, the service consisted of three steps:
“You cannot see ESG regulation in isolation from your business strategy,” says Lara. “More and more organisations are discovering that it is not only about complying with rules, but also about opportunities: managing risks, increasing transparency and becoming more attractive as a business partner and employer.”
Rob also sees value in this for smaller companies. “Large organisations often have their own legal department. We do not have that luxury. In that case, an ESG scan by a party like Grant Thornton is highly relevant to understand what is expected of you.”
According to Lara, this does not apply only to SMEs. “Larger companies also engage us for specific expertise or an independent perspective.”
The ESG scan now helps Techmar to make targeted choices. “We now know what we need to do and when,” says Rob. “For example, we have prioritised changes to, among other things, our packaging. That provides peace of mind, clarity and direction.”
For Raluca, the collaboration is an example of how Grant Thornton adds value. “It has become one of my favourite clients. We have really helped Techmar move their business forward. By staying in dialogue, we can also support them in the future – in the field of sustainability, legal issues or other services.”
Rob concludes: “I was initially somewhat sceptical about working with a large international firm, but Grant Thornton’s approach is pragmatic and personal. That suits us. They also pointed out new legislation in the area of pay transparency, but that does not yet have priority for us. For now, we will first get to work on the outcomes of the ESG scan – and who knows what the future will bring.”
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