To Schillig on 70 Bikes

Oldenburg, September 16, 2026 – More than 70 employees, a route of nearly 80 kilometers, and plenty of tailwind: Under the slogan “emsys cycles to Schillig,” the Oldenburg-based software developer specializing in renewable energy set off for the North Sea last Friday. The two-day company outing, with a total of about 140 participants, exemplified a corporate culture in which sustainability, physical activity, community, and work-life balance are firmly rooted.

This was the second time the big emsys bike tour had headed to Schillig. A third of the cyclists felt confident enough to tackle the entire route, while others hopped on their bikes for shorter stretches. What mattered was not so much the athletic achievement as the desire to reach the destination in an environmentally friendly way and as a team.

Cycling is Part of Everyday Life at emsys

It’s no coincidence that the bicycle, of all things, plays such a major role. As a company focused on integrating renewable energy into power grids and markets, emsys wants to make this green commitment visible in its own daily work as well. “Our business model is sustainable, and we want this attitude to be reflected in our corporate culture as well,” say company founders Ulrich Focken and Matthias Lange. The more than 250 employees can, for example, borrow cargo bikes and receive a bike voucher as an alternative to the gym subsidy or the "German Train Ticket". The company also has its own bike repair shop on the premises.

Riding the Train Is Rewarded

The energy management service provider also offers incentives when it comes to choosing a mode of transportation. Since 2024, employees have received a bonus if they have avoided private air travel for an entire year. “Unfortunately, taking the train is often more expensive than flying, especially for longer distances,” explains Managing Director Matthias Lange. “We want to offset some of these additional costs and thus support sustainable decisions.”

Commitment to Family and Education

Work-life balance is also part of the company culture; emsys offers children’s vacation care several times a year. This takes some of the pressure off parents and makes breaks in the company cafeteria noticeably livelier during this time.

Another project close to our hearts is the various educational initiatives that teach children and teens about the energy transition at an early age. In hands-on workshops at elementary schools, emsys’s energy experts demonstrate the conditions under which wind and sun can generate electricity and why renewable energy plays a vital role in the energy supply of the future.

Even beyond cycling, the company grounds encourage employees to incorporate physical activity into their workday. The spacious garden with a beach volleyball court offers space for sports and shared breaks. And for those who prefer a bit more excitement, two large tube slides inside the building offer a shortcut to lunch break or the end of the workday.