Employee Spotlight: The People Behind Sustainability – Meet Krunoslav Sopina

Krunoslav Sopina is the Head of Operative Purchasing for the EA region at Weidmann Electrical Technology. He is based in Croatia and has been with Weidmann for more than two years. Krunoslav has an interest in sustainability topics and recently played an important role in initiating the installation of solar panels at the Croatian sites.

Please introduce yourself in a few sentences.

I currently work as Head of Operative Purchasing for the Europe & Africa region at Weidmann Electrical Technology. I’ve spent most of my career in the energy and automation industry, working in various environments. Over time, I’ve become very focused on building simple, efficient processes that actually work in day-to-day operations, not just on paper.

What first sparked your interest in sustainability and environmental responsibility?

Working in an industry connected to energy, I naturally began to notice how much impact we have, both positive and negative. Through the years, by following global developments and also through daily work, I became more interested in learning how we can do things in a smarter, more responsible way. At some point, it stopped being just a professional topic and became something more personal.

How does sustainability align with your personal values?

For me, sustainability is not something that should stay only at the company level. It’s a personal responsibility as well. I try to apply the same thinking in everyday life, whether it’s energy usage, transport, or general habits. There’s also a certain level of personal satisfaction when you know your actions are aligned with something more meaningful, and when people around you start picking up on it as well.

What does environmental leadership mean to you in a corporate setting?

I see it as being practical and consistent. It’s not about big statements, but about making things work, step by step. That means identifying opportunities, using data where possible, and pushing for realistic and measurable improvements. And of course, being willing to challenge existing ways of working when needed.

You are the Operational Purchasing Manager for the Europe/Africa region. For some readers, it might not be straightforward to understand how the Procurement Department contributes to sustainability. How do you contribute?

Procurement has a bigger role than it might seem at first. We influence suppliers, materials, transport, and overall demand patterns. In practice, that means working with the right partners, using data to spot inefficiencies, reducing unnecessary orders or transport, and supporting solutions that reduce emissions. Small improvements in many places make a real difference throughout the whole value chain.

What role do you think employees play in shaping the company’s environmental impact?

A very big one. You can have the best strategy, but if people don’t live it in their daily work, it stays theoretical. Most of the impact actually comes from small, everyday decisions. Once people understand that and feel involved, things begin to move naturally, not because they must, but because it makes sense.

Tell us about your initiative to implement solar panels across Croatia’s sites.

The idea came while we were working on the new factory in Pojatno and looking into the solar energy market. It became clear that the timing was right, both from cost and technology perspectives. From there, it evolved into a broader initiative, replacing older gas-based systems with heat pumps and introducing solar panels throughout sites in Croatia. Of course, these things don’t happen overnight; it takes alignment, planning, and a bit of persistence, but the direction felt very clear from the start. It also fits well with Weidmann’s overall sustainability ambitions.

What inspired you specifically to pursue solar energy as a solution?

What really stood out to me is how practical it has become. With a reasonable investment, you can start producing your own clean energy from a resource that is available almost everywhere. It’s a solution that is not only effective but also scalable, both in industry and in private life.

How does investing in renewable energy make sense from both an environmental and financial perspective?

Environmentally, it’s quite straightforward: you reduce emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Financially, the situation today is very different compared to a few years ago. Energy prices and technology development have made these investments much more attractive. In many cases, the return is clear, and at the same time, you reduce long-term risk.

What advice would you give to employees who want to champion sustainability projects?

Start with something you genuinely care about. It helps to have some data behind your idea, but you don’t need everything perfectly defined from day one. Talk to people early, keep things simple, and explain why it matters in practice. And most importantly, do it yourself first. When others see that it’s real, not just talk, they’re much more likely to get involved. Even small steps can grow into something bigger over time.

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