Addtech’s CSR Work

SUSTAINABILITY – A COMPETITIVE TOOL

Addtech’s overall goal is to run a sustainable business. Addtech shall meet sustainability requirements and expectations set by customers, shareholders and employees.

The sustainability work involves Addtech taking long-term responsibility for the sustainable development of employees, the environment and profitability. Structured measures grow the operation to make it both stronger and more sustainable. Sustainability is a competitive tool in the technology trading market, and Addtech aims to be a better choice than its competitors.

Addtech’s subsidiaries have many years’ experience of meeting market requirements on quality and environmental certifications. However, since 2010 sustainability work has been a strategic issue within the Group. Addtech has established a CSR Council of business area representatives. The aim of the Council is to plan and decide on activities that help step-by-step integration of strategic sustainability thinking into areas concerning working conditions, the environment and ethics. The work began in 2010 with the creation of a Code of Conduct. Addtech subsequently submitted its first sustainability report under the Guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Application Level C. An annually recurring and Group-wide employee survey was introduced in 2012, which led to the introduction of a structured and regular performance appraisal dialogue with employees and leadership adapted to individuals. The next strategic sustainability dialogue will focus on suppliers.

Addtech’s corporate structure and operations, with more than operating 140 companies, is a challenge when it comes to achieving rapid results in sustainability work, and many units will introduce completely or partly new processes. The work paves the way for creating greater value, for example through more attractive customer offerings, larger cost reductions and improved quality and HR work.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT ADDTECH

At Addtech we aim to continue to create value for our shareholders, employees, society and environment. We summarise it in three categories: economic, social and environmental value creation.

• Added economic value. Economic strength is a cornerstone for being able to invest in sustainable development, and Addtech is dedicated to ensuring that we are both competitive and cost-efficient. 
• Added social value. A key factor in Addtech’s sustainable development is that we take account of all the people affected by our operations. This includes our customers, suppliers, employees, business partners and the communities in which we operate. Addtech’s Code of Conduct acts as a compass for each employee, and our suppliers are encouraged to work in line with it. 
• Added environmental value. Nearly half of the electricity used in the Group comes from renewable sources. Addtech’s goal is to constantly increase this proportion. The Group’s companies are primarily involved in technology trading, so our operations have a limited direct environmental impact. The Group continuously works on improvement measures in the areas where we can make a difference.

Code of Conduct

Addtech’s sustainability work is based on the Group’s Code of Conduct. The central concepts of CSR are the environment, ethics and morality and they have long been part of the Group’s operations. The Code applies not only to all employees in our own operations but also to our relationship with our suppliers of products and services. Our ambition is that our subsidiaries will work with suppliers towards achieving positive change. The Addtech Group’s Code of Conduct is based on the UN’s Global Compact, ILO’s Core Conventions, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Read more at http://www.addtech.com/code-of-conduct.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

The Addtech Group has published a sustainability report since 2011. The report is a key part of the company’s sustainability work as it highlights these issues in the Group so that employees, owners and other stakeholders receive the opportunity to learn about how the CSR work is developed. The reports form the basis of the Group’s further CSR development. Reported topics include the Group’s use of energy, climate impact, employee turnover and employees’ occupational health and safety. 

EVENTS DURING THE YEAR

• Addtech conducted its third employee survey. The questionnaire follows up Addtech’s long-term and strategic staff development work and the survey identifies the Group’s strengths and weaknesses as an employer as well as mapping areas for improvement. Addtech achieved good results throughout, and in general has very satisfied employees. This year’s survey demonstrated additional improvement in the working environment – largely thanks to the introduction of more structured performance appraisals with employees.

• Suppliers are a key group of stakeholders that affect Addtech’s ability to pursue value-adding sustainability work. Both time and effort have been invested into finding and verifying a reasonable survey method. The method was established at the start of the financial year, and Addtech launched its work by mapping suppliers’ sustainability and approach to Addtech’s Code of Conduct. As a first step, Addtech has evaluated the Group’s largest suppliers. The intention is to gradually expand the circle of suppliers that are evaluated. The status review is designed to ensure that the suppliers meet a sound level of requirements in relation to their employees and the environment. It is hoped that the dialogue with suppliers will boost their sustainability work and motivate them to integrate it into their business models so that we can add value together in the same direction.

Read more in the sustainability report for 2014/2015 at www.addtech.com/csr.