oerlikon

Oerlikon, a responsible global citizen

Oerlikon is a global player whose aim is, as a responsible global citizen, to generate sustainable corporate value that goes beyond successful business activity. Consequently Oerlikon sees itself as part of the solution for capturing the future challenges of an increasingly globalizing business environment.

Therefore, in 2003 the former Unaxis Holding signed Kofi Annan's, ex-Secretary- General of the United Nations, international initiative: the UN Global Compact (UNGC). The vision of the initiative is to realize a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. In 2006 Unaxis' legacy was transferred to the new Oerlikon endorsing the ten principles set out by the UN. Oerlikon will build on this external framework offering general guidelines for economically, environmentally and socially sound growth. This framework supports Oerlikon in promoting a business climate of respect and trust. Oerlikon is convinced that trust can only be earned through upright relationships with all its relevant stakeholders.

Management approach

At Oerlikon we insist that all employees comply with national and international laws and ethical standards. All employees shall be an example to Oerlikon's business, signalling to Oerlikon's stakeholders that we are a trustworthy partner they can rely on. Oerlikon's commitment to the Global Compact comprises actively going beyond the legal regulations by integrating the UNGC principles into Oerlikon's management system; proactively combating corruption, upholding human rights, ensuring good labor practices, and last but not least protecting the environment in Oerlikon's sphere of influence.

In 2006 the shifting of Oerlikon's decentralized organization towards a more centralized one made a general overhaul of the corporate management system with all its policies & directives essential. Next to centralizing operational responsibilities, particular focus was given to addressing compliance issues such as improper payments, conflict of interest, intellectual property rights, employment, and money laundering. New policies on environment, health and safety management and trade control were released, and a Group-wide integrated management system was installed. In 2007 Oerlikon's revised Code of Corporate Business Ethics and a Code of Conduct are to be released.

In order to track and control the implementation of the principles and directives, the Group management has instigated several initiatives to ensure an accurate realization of its commitment. In 2007 an ombudsman on corporate level will be implemented, where dubious conduct and violations are to be reported by our employees and external stakeholders, also anonymously. Once reported, the ombudsman is obliged to handle the issue responsibly and take corrective actions such as: providing assistance to the employees, or notifying the authorities when a violation has been identified.

Environmentally sustainable solar energy from Oerlikon
Oerlikon does everything in its power to achieve environmental sustainability and not only in its own production processes. In addition, with new technologies such as thin-film solar technology, we also make our own contribution towards aligning rising energy consumption with environmental demands.

Earning trust

Trust can only thrive when both partners treat each other with mutual respect and integrity. Transferring this assurance to the operational level, Oerlikon places its stakeholders' concerns in the center of its activities, anxious to offer the optimum win-win situation to its customers, suppliers, employees, as well as coming generations in an open dialogue. Oerlikon is intensively working on harmonizing its central management processes on a new corporate SAP platform. At present we are unable to document our ecological and social progress with consolidated data on the corporate level. So here are a few examples of how Oerlikon sees its future as a responsible world citizen:

• Customers
• Suppliers
• Employees