Mendrisio, Hong Kong, Pforzheim, Cavenago- Brianza or Santiago:
at every location, we form positive links with the territory,
fully aware of the importance of mutual growth.
One of the key aspects of our policy to support the community
regards the support of projects and initiatives linked to the personal
growth of people. In this respect, our support of training and education
plays a major role. We actively support talented young people, because the
future growth of the community in which we live depends on them
In addition to training young people and apprentices at our branches
(we have been a training company since 1978), we offer them international growth opportunities.
For example, in addition to offering apprenticeships to local young people, our Hong Kong branch
allows employees at other Group branches to have a six-week work experience in Asia: an ideal
way to start thinking globally.
We do much more than support young people employed at our company. We collaborate with several
universities in a variety of activities. For example, we often participate as lecturers in
lessons that allow us to share our commitment to being a responsible company. We support applied
research projects that let students tackle real-life problems, preparing them for employment.
Last but not least, we support training by presenting an annual award linked to sustainable
engineering.
Our approach
Think long-term: we choose our locations with a long-term outlook, seeking to
form relations that offer mutual benefit and growth.
Policies for the selection of suppliers: we give priority to suppliers of
accessory products and services in local or national areas. This applies to our Parent Company
as well as to our international branches.
Employment policies: we don’t work just to create jobs, but also to guarantee
safe and correct conditions.
Guidelines for sponsoring: we believe that promoting local growth also means
funding activities specifically linked to local social development.
Supporting the community
We conduct many activities with local organisations with the goal of establishing
positive dynamics for mutual benefit.
We reinvest part of added value in the local community and give
priority to local suppliers.
We invest in young people: we have been a training
company since 1978. We think it is essential to contribute to the training of young people
interested in a career in industry.
Local hiring policies: 32% of our employees (at our
Mendrisio headquarters) live in Switzerland, a figure that rises to 80% with regard to company
management. These numbers are significant, considering our proximity to the Italian border and the
industrial nature of our operations.
Support greener means of transportation:
In addition to having a positive effect on the environment, using greener means of transportation
(such as public transportation, slow mobility, carpooling) has a positive effect on the harmony of
the entire community. Therefore, we imposed a parking fee years ago. In 2019, we had 39 carpooling
groups and subsidised 46 public transportation passes.
At our Hong Kong branch, we promote various means of transportation through subsidies for the use of
public means or by offering company shuttle buses. Now, less than 5% of employees use their own cars
to come to work, drastically reducing CO2 emissions.
We proactively support selected local organisations with which we
have developed a relationship based on respect and trust over the years.
Sponsoring of local organisations: we receive numerous
requests for sponsoring or support from organisations in a wide variety of fields. We evaluate these
requests annually based on their conformity with our internal guidelines for sponsoring.
We support training: we work with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of
Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) on many projects. In 2019 we presented the 9th edition of the
3000-franc award to the Master in Engineering student who wrote the best thesis, evaluated based on
criteria of innovation and sustainability. We participate regularly, as lecturers, in lessons
organised by SUPSI, with which we conduct applied research projects.
Distribution of added value
The wealth generated by a company goes beyond its annual result. We regularly reinvest
most of our added value in favour of our employees and the community.
Argor-Heraeus’s economic activity generates value for many parties
directly or indirectly linked to our operations.
In 2019 a significant part of added value was reinvested in the
company in order to ensure long-term stability and solidity.
2019 was an exceptional year because added value was not reinvested
in our shareholder Heraeus.
On the other hand, the proportion of added value reinvested in employees was
significantly higher than in previous years.
When we select suppliers of accessory products and services, we
evaluate more than quality and price.
We give equal importance to the fact that sustainability and
transparency must be key values shared by suppliers. We are also committed to working with local suppliers,
with the hope of forming long-term relations.
About 70% of expenditures for accessory products and services goes to
Swiss suppliers, 20% to suppliers in the UE, and the rest to suppliers in other parts of the world.
