Driving Change for a Sustainable Future: How Mireille Implemented CSRD at Vanderlande

“My external perspective helps to challenge certain assumptions and push for clarity, especially when difficult decisions need to be made.”

For large corporations like Vanderlande, a global leader in material handling systems, complying with the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a significant challenge. The legislation requires a structured approach to sustainability reporting across all operations. To tackle this complexity, Vanderlande brought in Mireille van Engelen – a program manager with a strong foundation in change management and a clear focus on sustainability. 

Here’s how Mireille helps Vanderlande comply with the new CSRD regulations: 

What is your role at Vanderlande?

“I joined Vanderlande as a program manager to lead the implementation of the CSRD requirements. Note that sustainability is not new to Vanderlande – they already had a Global Sustainability Office and a sustainability strategy in place before hiring me! But CSRD is an entirely new directive. It cuts through all layers of the organization, making it much more complex to implement.

My role as program manager is to create a clear roadmap, ensure alignment across teams, and bring structure to the implementation process. All the while, I make sure to focus on building capabilities within the team so they can carry this work forward independently.” 

What helped you to overcome those challenges?

“Two key factors have been critical. First, having C-level sponsors makes all the difference. I have two sponsors who are actively involved and will step in anytime to help resolve issues. That kind of support is essential because, without it, you’ll never get your project on the priority list. 

Second, stakeholder management is vital. CSRD touches every part of the organization – finance, HR, supply chain, and so forth – so it requires collaboration across departments. My role as a program manager is to bring the right people together, align priorities, and make sure everyone moves in the same direction.”

What has been the impact of this project on Vanderlande?

“The project created impact on three levels:

• Compliance: “First, the project ensures that Vanderlande is compliant with the CSRD legislation. That’s the legal requirement – by April 2025 they will be fully prepared to meet those reporting obligations.”
• Market Differentiation: “This also allows Vanderlande to position itself as a leader compared to other players in the market. By aligning their reporting with the CSRD, they can show customers and stakeholders how far ahead they already are. It’s about demonstrating where you stand and how you’re progressing.”
• A Renewed Focus on Sustainability: “Finally, CSRD sharpens the focus on sustainability strategy. It forces you to make choices – what matters most, where do we have the most impact? That focus helps the organization prioritize its efforts and understand where to work in the coming years.”

With the fiscal year coming to a close, the project is moving toward its final goal: delivering a clear and actionable implementation plan. This will help Vanderlande gather and monitor all quantitative and qualitative data, automated where possible, ready for the FY26 integrated management report encompassing approximately 825 data requirements.”

How did your change management expertise contribute to this program?

“Implementing CSRD requires people to adopt new processes and ways of working. So, change management is always going to be part of the process – even when I step in as a program manager. Whether you use formal methods like ADKAR, Six Batteries of Change, or any other approach. Ultimately, it’s about getting everyone on board.

I worked closely with Vanderlande’s internal change managers to facilitate workshops, improve communication, and help the teams navigate challenges. For example, when a workshop needed facilitation, I’d bring in one of their change managers to support, ensuring the right expertise was in place.”

What was your experience working with SPRING TODAY?

“This was my second assignment with SPRING TODAY. What I really appreciate is the warm contact the team maintains with both me and the client. Also, these kinds of assignments often aren’t on the public market, which highlights the value of SPRING TODAY’s network and connections.”

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