|
|
|
Demands on our corporate behaviour
At Sanders-Kauffmann, we are committed to integrity, respect, reliability and sustainability within the company and towards our customers, suppliers and other business partners. This Code of Conduct serves as a guide in our daily actions in accordance with our company values. These values are above all personal responsibility, openness and transparency as well as lawful and ethical conduct.
As a company, we hope to make a positive contribution to society and the environment, as well as to the working environment of our employees, through communication and adherence to our corporate values.
Acting in the spirit of the company on a daily basis is of utmost importance for the company’s success as well as its reputation. Customers nowadays look beyond the price tag and tend to go for companies they can trust. Ethical and sustainable thinking is becoming increasingly important. Together we have a responsibility for the reputation of our company.
First and foremost, we want to be a model company where our employees enjoy working and of which they can be proud. As a company, we want to continue to grow – our corporate profits should flow into the development and modernisation of our operations. We want to increase customer value and exceed the promises we have made to our customers and last but not least, we also want to satisfy our shareholders and ensure that the investment in Sanders-Kauffmann remains profitable for them. We want to achieve this by operating in a balanced and sustainable manner, aligning our processes accordingly and thus using our resources carefully.
Our corporate values, which are based on the 4 pillars of innovation, performance, globality and social responsibility, are also aligned with this claim.
We continue to see innovation as an essential factor in consistently expanding our market leadership. Innovation does not only refer to the further development of our products to meet the expectations of the market, but also to the development of our structures and organisation in the sense of a “best fit”. We want to set trends. We want to promote innovation by: We want to promote innovation by:
- Create a sustainable climate to foster creativity and ideas: the working environment should offer everyone the opportunity to contribute creatively and communicate their ideas openly.
- Enabling change: only if we are willing to face and implement change can we also innovate and develop efficiently.
- Seizing opportunities responsibly: We want to seize opportunities that come our way if they are conducive to the company’s goals.
We consider motivation to be the basis for the success of our company.
- We set ourselves goals that we want to achieve; we can only do this through consistent
use of power. - Well-trained and motivated employees are the most valuable asset in our
company, they contribute significantly to our success. We want to promote our employees in order to offer them the best conditions for responsible and independent action. - As leaders, we want to set an example of motivation and enthusiasm.
The global networking of the business world offers us enormous opportunities that we want to use to our best advantage. In the diversity that globalisation brings with it, be it through different cultures, business practices or the like, responsible action and communication are indispensable. It is important to communicate and act responsibly, to respect laws and the rules of the game (compliance) and to ensure the careful and sustainable use of our resources.
Above all this is our social responsibility towards the state, society and the people in our company. We promote talent in our company and thus want to offer career opportunities.
We, the management, hereby undertake to comply with and implement the rules of conduct described herein. All our employees are familiar with this Code of Conduct and use it as a guideline for their daily behaviour and actions.
A deliberate breach of our conduct requirements or other internal policies can have serious consequences for the company and individuals. Deliberate misconduct will therefore not be tolerated and will be punished accordingly. All employees are therefore also called upon to report obvious misconduct.
Management of Sanders-Kauffmann
Alexander Singer, CEO, Markus Winkelmann, CFO
|
|
|
Behaviour in the business environment
Compliance with laws and regulations
Sanders-Kauffmann always complies with the applicable statutory and legal regulations. This also includes situations in which an economic disadvantage would arise for Sanders-Kauffmann. We see conduct in compliance with the law as a basic prerequisite for economically responsible action, and we expect the same from our employees.
Conflicts of interest
Personal interests must not take precedence over the interests of the company. Conflicts of interest should be avoided from the outset. Should these nevertheless occur, transparent disclosure of the situation is imperative. Conflicts of interest may arise, for example, in business transactions with friends or acquaintances or private business relationships with companies that already work with Sanders-Kauffmann.
Fair competition/corruption/bribery
Gifts and invitations are permitted in principle as long as they are customary in business and ethically sound. No employee may actively solicit gifts or other personal benefits from customers, suppliers or other business partners. In addition, the respective legal requirements must also be adhered to. We expect employees who are misled by business partners to engage in unfair practices or accept gifts or the like, or who become aware of such practices, to reject them and report such incidents. Employees who do not comply because of their position or function in the company must expect disciplinary action.
General principles of conduct
At Sanders-Kauffmann, we are committed to integrity, respect, reliability and sustainability within the company and towards our customers, suppliers and other business partners. We always act in the best interests of the company and treat our business partners and colleagues with mutual respect, honesty and transparency.
In all our actions, we are committed to the principles of fair business, compliance with international and national laws and standards relating to equal treatment, human rights, sustainability of our processes and supply chains, and anti-corruption (UN Global Compact, OECD Guidelines, etc.).
|
|
|
Behaviour towards colleagues and employees
Equal treatment and non-discrimination
Equal opportunities are promoted and discrimination must be prevented. This applies to decisions regarding the hiring of employees, promotions or also, for example, further training measures. The following examples must not be used as a basis for decision-making: Gender, age, skin colour, sexual orientation, origin, religious affiliation, political opinion, or disabilities. We strive for a working climate of trust, transparency and open, honest communication.
Human and workers’ rights
We recognise the generally applicable international human and labour rights (ILO, OECD and UN Global Compact Initiative). We accept the right of our workers to freedom of expression. Forced or child labour is not tolerated in any way. The remuneration in our company corresponds at least to the respective national industry and local customary rates.
Occupational health and safety
Alongside entrepreneurial success, welfare and security are the top priorities for Sanders- Kauffmann. Goals and planning are geared towards this and are an elementary part of the operational process. Every employee is required to play his or her part in occupational health and safety by complying with internal regulations.
|
|
|
Behaviour within society
Sustainable environmental and climate protection
The concept of sustainability is a top priority at Sanders-Kauffmann. Every employee is required to plan and act in a sustainable and resource-conserving manner. We are aware of the responsibility we have as a company towards our environment. Therefore, we always take into account the impact on our environment when making decisions in order to make a positive contribution to environmental and climate protection.
Appearance/communication in public
Every employee is aware that he or she can be perceived as a representative of the company both during and outside his or her work. Accordingly, care must be taken to preserve the reputation of the company in all communications. Nevertheless, we respect the right to freedom of expression.
|
|
|
Dealing with information
Reporting
For our core values such as transparency and honesty, correct reporting to customers, suppliers, authorities and other relevant parties is indispensable.
Confidential company information
Confidential information of the company, our business partners or our customers must be handled with appropriate care. It is strictly prohibited to disclose such information to unauthorised parties without further consent.
|
|
|
Company property/foreign property
Both Sanders-Kauffmann property and the property of others are treated with the utmost care and protected from misuse, loss or theft. Intellectual property, trademarks or patents represent a competitive advantage and are protected accordingly.
|
|
|
Reporting misconduct
No employee shall be disadvantaged by compliance with the policy. Nevertheless, obvious violations should be reported. Violations and infringements must be reported to the Compliance Officer. The report can be made in any possible form, verbally or in writing and each report will be treated confidentially. No one should be disadvantaged by the report. Willful false accusations are prohibited and will be punished accordingly.