What began as a way to bring together local sustainability projects has evolved into a globally supported initiative with measurable impact: the WeCare Initiative of the Brucklacher Group. In 2026, employees around the world once again took part in the annual action weeks, using their projects to send a strong message of responsibility, solidarity, and commitment.
ill. 1: Working together for nature conservation: As part of a WeCare initiative, employees in Oberkochen surveyed approximately 16 hectares of meadowland to rescue fawns, making an important contribution to wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection. (Photos: Leitz/Boehlerit/Bilz)
Sustainability and social engagement have been integral parts of the corporate culture for decades and are deeply embedded in the DNA of the sister companies Leitz, Boehlerit, and Bilz. Since 2022, WeCare has systematically united these activities of the Brucklacher Group in the fields of society, social affairs and culture, as well as biodiversity, nature, and environmental protection, making them more visible on an international scale and continuously developing their impact. The initiative aims to combine strengths, leverage synergies, and expand the reach of these efforts. Smaller regional projects, in particular, benefit from the shared platform through additional support while remaining firmly rooted in their local communities.
In Leitz’s anniversary year, this commitment takes on even greater significance. 150 years of company history stand not only for tradition and innovative strength but also for a values-based corporate culture. The WeCare Initiative demonstrates how these values are actively lived and carried into the future through employees who take responsibility and help shape the world around them in a sustainable way.
Since the launch of the initiative, employees have developed and implemented projects each year with remarkable personal dedication. These projects connect locations across national borders and illustrate how individual ideas can grow into collective action.
Once again, 2026 highlighted the impressive level of global participation during the action weeks.
A total of 153 projects in 33 countries were carried out by 2,004 employees, who collectively contributed more than 5,300 hours of voluntary work. The results underscore the broad scope of the initiative: more than 900 trees planted, 22 liters of blood donated, and measurable savings of 1.8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and 1.7 tonnes of waste exemplify the active contribution to environmental and resource protection. In addition, donations and financial contributions amounted to approximately €77,000 this year.
Behind these figures are numerous projects that strengthen communities, protect natural habitats, and provide meaningful support where it is needed most. "WeCare has great personal significance for me. The initiative strengthens solidarity and fosters a strong sense of belonging. At the same time, it fills me with pride and gratitude to see the dedication with which our employees around the world contribute to these efforts," says Dr. Cornelia Brucklacher, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Boards and Shareholder of the Brucklacher Group. In this way, WeCare has become a unifying force that promotes a shared understanding of responsibility and sustainably shapes the corporate culture of the Brucklacher Group—extending far beyond day-to-day business and creating a lasting positive impact.
ill. 2: Improved learning conditions on site: As part of a WeCare initiative by Leitz, new restroom facilities were built in Bangalore, India, while existing sanitary areas underwent extensive renovation, helping to create a better learning environment for students. (Photos: Leitz/Boehlerit/Bilz)
ill. 3: A contribution to environmental and climate protection: As part of a WeCare initiative, 32 new fruit trees were planted on the premises of Leitz Brazil, making a tangible contribution to biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and climate protection. (Photos: Leitz/Boehlerit/Bilz)
The three legally independent sister companies Leitz, Boehlerit and Bilz together form the globally active Brucklacher Group. As a manufacturing service provider, the Leitz Group is the world's leading manufacturer of tools for machining wood, wood-based materials and state-of-the-art materials. The fifth-generation family business was founded in Oberkochen, Germany, in 1876 and is characterised by long-term thinking and sustainable action. As a carbide pioneer, the Boehlerit Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of wear protection solutions and cutting tools for machining metal and composite materials. The Bilz Group is the global specialist for precise clamping, defined movement and manual quick-change of precision tools. Thanks to the vertical integration of the sister companies, they offer their customers coordinated and optimised solutions from a single source. The joint strength of the sister companies is continuously expanded through the realisation of synergies and targeted joint research and development. With a total of 17 production sites, its own sales and service companies in 38 countries with 139 locations and an exclusive worldwide partner network, the Brucklacher Group is a global player represented on every continent. The Brucklacher Group employs over 4,000 people worldwide and generates an annual turnover of around 500 million euros.
Leitz https://bit.ly/3xzkxRP
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Bilz https://bit.ly/3O1SQbo
