Corporate social responsibility
The board of ERIKS group nv maintains the basic premise that the company is a long-term partnership of the various parties involved in the company (see the ‘Corporate governance’ chapter of the Annual report). The board has a duty to consider the interests of all stakeholders in the company. However, our number one consideration will always be the continuity of the enterprise and the creation of shareholder value. In addition, increasing attention is devoted to the manner in which the company approaches the concept of ‘Corporate social responsibility’. Corporate social responsibility means that the company considers the effects of its business operations on the environment and on people within and without the company. As a leading industrial service provider, ERIKS focuses in its business operations not only on achieving financial results but also and quite emphatically on the social and environmental aspects of its activities.
Corporate culture: norms and values
The ERIKS group has a corporate culture aimed at realising attainable goals announced clearly beforehand to those directly involved. Clarity in verbal and written communication characterises the ERIKS organisation. The informal organisation and short lines of communication between management and employees guarantee uniform norms and values that ERIKS stands for. The ERIKS group sets great store by honesty and integrity in its business dealings. A good reputation is something to be treasured.
Code of conduct and compliance
The code of conduct contains the main principles of the ERIKS group’s norms and values. The code of conduct requires the ERIKS group to carry out its activities honestly and openly, with respect for human rights and the interests of the group’s employees. All employees are required to comply with this code and they are encouraged to report any infringement (or suspected infringement) of the code of conduct or other rules applicable within the ERIKS group to the management (’whistle blowers’ regulations). Failure to observe the code of conduct is regarded as a violation of business integrity. Neither the supervisory board, the executive board nor local management received any reports of violations during 2007.
Employees and social commitment
The ERIKS group attaches great importance to open communication and involves its employees at all levels in the formulation of objectives and strategy. Naturally, there is regular feedback concerning the current state of affairs and plans for the future.
Trust between employees is an important precondition. This is necessary to enable them to dare to ask questions, make mistakes (and learn from them) and hold each other to account regarding agreements that have been made. In this way, we create and maintain a positive working environment.
Our employees are the most important factor in the successful achievement of optimum performance. The ERIKS group’s objective is to provide a modern infrastructure in which employees can achieve maximum performance in a pleasant working environment. Most of the companies in the ERIKS group are ISO certified and work to clear guidelines and procedures. Our health, safety and working conditions meet the standard requirements.
In addition to recruiting well-qualified new employees, ERIKS devotes much attention to the development of its existing employees. In the Benelux, Germany and the UK, a great deal of time and money is invested in Management Development programmes. Employees receive feedback on their performance in periodic performance interviews, in which further specialisation and professional training courses are also on the agenda.
As part of our human resources policy we maintain contact with schools and training institutions. The purpose of this contact is for ERIKS to contribute to the technical content of educational courses.
The management teams of the companies in the ERIKS group are encouraged to participate in technical and public interest organisations and to contribute to local, social and cultural events.
Environment
As a supplier of a high-quality range of technical components, the ERIKS group is obliged to conduct a sound environmental policy. It takes account of environmental aspects both in its own business operations and in product development and advice to customers. New social insights and tightening of environment-related laws and regulations are closely observed. This has led ERIKS and its customers to devote more attention to saving energy and reducing risks to the environment. In cooperation with its manufacturers and customers, ERIKS actively responds to the new environmental regulations in product development. In almost all the product groups, products and applications are developed under private label and in consultation with manufacturers to reduce emissions and leaks in the process industry. ERIKS advises its customers about possibilities for reducing maintenance costs, preventing machine downtime, increasing productivity, reducing energy consumption and limiting leaks and emissions, thereby implicitly working to reduce environmental impact.
Our group companies collect and dispose of various waste streams such as paper, oil and residual materials in a responsible manner.