Demand 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 for 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 behaviour.
As a company, we hope to make a positive contribution to society, the environment and the working environment of our employees by communicating and adhering to our corporate values.
Acting in the interests of the company on a daily basis is of the utmost importance for the company's success and reputation. Customers today look beyond the price tag and tend to favour 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 that our employees enjoy working for and can be proud of. 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 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, organising our processes accordingly and thus using our resources carefully.
Our corporate values, which are based on the four pillars of innovation, commitment, globalisation and social responsibility, are also geared towards this goal.
We continue to see innovation as an essential factor in consistently expanding our market leadership. Innovation not only refers to the further development of our products in order to meet market expectations, 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:
- Creating a sustainable climate to promote creativity and ideas: the working environment should offer everyone the opportunity to contribute creatively and communicate their ideas openly.
- Facilitating change: we can only innovate and develop efficiently if we are prepared to embrace and implement change.
- Seize opportunities responsibly: We want to seize opportunities that present themselves to us if they serve 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 commitment to performance.
- Well-trained and motivated employees are our company's most valuable asset and make a significant contribution to our success. We want to promote our employees in order to offer them the best conditions for responsible and independent action.
- As managers, we want to set an example of motivation and enthusiasm.
The global networking of the business world offers us enormous opportunities, which we want to utilise to our best advantage. In the diversity that globalisation brings, 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 rules (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 want to offer career opportunities.
As the management, we hereby undertake to comply with and implement the rules of conduct described here. All our employees are familiar with this Code of Conduct and use it as a guideline for their daily behaviour and actions.
A wilful breach of our behavioural requirements or other internal guidelines can have serious consequences for the company and individuals. Deliberate misbehaviour 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 Sanders-Kauffmann would be at an economic disadvantage. We regard legally compliant behaviour 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 they nevertheless arise, transparent disclosure of the situation is imperative. Conflicts of interest can 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 generally permitted as long as they are customary and ethical. No employee may actively solicit gifts or other personal benefits from customers, suppliers or other business partners. Furthermore, the respective legal requirements must also be observed here. We expect employees who are tempted by business partners to engage in dishonest behaviour 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 with these rules due to their position or function in the company must expect disciplinary measures.
General principles of 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. We always act in the 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 practices, 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 recruitment of employees, promotions or, 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 views, or disabilities. We strive for a working environment characterised by trust, transparency and open, honest communication.
Human and labour rights
We recognise the generally applicable international human and labour rights (ILO, OECD and UN Global Compact Initiative). We accept our employees' right 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 rates.
Occupational health and safety
In addition to business success, Sanders- Kauffmann's top priority is health and safety. Objectives and planning are geared towards this and are an elementary component of the operational process. Every employee is required to contribute to occupational health and safety by complying with internal regulations.
Behaviour within the company
Sustainable environmental and climate protection
The concept of sustainability is a top priority at Sanders-Kauffmann. Every employee is encouraged 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. We therefore 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 they can be perceived as a representative of the company both during and outside of their work. Accordingly, care must be taken to safeguard the company's reputation in all communications. Nevertheless, we respect the right to freedom of expression.
Dealing with information
Reporting
Correct reporting to customers, suppliers, authorities and other relevant parties is essential to our core values of transparency and honesty.
Confidential company information
Confidential information of the company, our business partners or our customers must be handled with appropriate care. It is strictly forbidden to disclose such information to unauthorised parties without further consent.
Company property / third-party property
Both the property of Sanders-Kauffmann and third-party property are treated with the utmost care and protected against misuse, loss or theft. Intellectual property, trademarks or patents represent a competitive advantage and are protected accordingly.
Reporting of misconduct
No employee should suffer any disadvantage as a result of compliance with the guideline. Nevertheless, obvious violations should be reported. Violations and offences must be reported to the Compliance Officer. The report can be made in any form, verbally or in writing, and each report will be treated confidentially. No one should suffer any disadvantage as a result of the report. Deliberate false accusations are prohibited and will be penalised accordingly.