Progress achieved and further improvements targeted
During the year under review, we focused on the five material topics as determined in the materiality assessment process. Pleasing progress was made and further measures regarding different improvements are underway.
In 2019 we were able to prove our solid
economic performance and slightly increased our added value once again. In accordance with our medium term planning we are pursuing the goal of continuously expanding our economic performance until 2025, while the share of added value for each of the stakeholder groups shall remain stable. The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on added value cannot be comprehensively assessed yet.
In the area of
occupational health and safety, the total number of occupational accidents worldwide declined, compared to the previous year, by 19% to 113. We have set a goal of reducing the number of occupational accidents by 50% by 2025, as a stepping stone to our ultimate goal of zero occupational accidents.
SFS is a strong supporter of the dual
training and education system. The long-term goal of 5 –7% of all employees being trainees or employees in a dual educational activity was once again confirmed by us in 2019 with 6.3% (2018: 6.6%). In particular in the German-speaking region the dual training and education system is taking place on a very good level. Thus, we continue to expand this educational standard across the entire Group.
Along with the effort to continuously reduce
emissions, we are developing a roadmap for the entire Group by the end of 2020. This roadmap serves as the basis for systematic reduction of CO2 and will be presented in the next Sustainability Report. Furthermore, we are pursuing the steady continuation of certifying production platforms according to ISO 14001 (environmental management): currently 15 out 27 production platforms are already ISO-14001-certified. Further production platforms are to follow in 2020.
The SFS Code of Conduct presents the company’s understanding of an exemplary, reliable and fair business partner and employer. Compliance with the Code of Conduct is assured with the effective compliance system that has been set up. During the year under review, SFS Group was not subject to any sanctions in the
socioeconomic compliance area, which is also our clear objective for 2020.