NKT makes demands on suppliers for social responsibility

NKT's target is to source 80% of its procurement from suppliers who support theUN's 10 principles of corporate social responsibility “Global resources are under pressure, and in the future this may mean shortageof raw materials along with political instability. As an internationalcorporation we have a joint responsibility for building global sustainabilityand we will use our position to achieve this target,” says NKT Chief ExecutiveThomas Hofman-Bang. NKT has demonstrated responsibility ever since itsfoundation almost 120 years ago, and responsibility is today one of the Group'score values. NKT has adopted the CSR recommendations of the UN Global Compact. Each year,data are collected and the Group takes stock of how far it has come in relationto the targets set. The results are published in a Progress Report which isalso submitted to the UN. The new report has just been published and can befound on www.nkt.dk. CSR extended to suppliersIn just 18 months NKT has begun extensive collection of data, systemized theGroup's existing policies and formulated general ethical guidelines.  Work accidents at NKT are decreasing, the internal recycling percentage hasincreased, and NKT are working to reduce carbon emissions. NKT's CTO Søren Isaksen is coordinating the Group's efforts within its fourbusiness units: NKT Cables which manufactures power cables; Nilfisk-Advancewhich supplies industrial cleaners; Photonics Group which develops fibre-basedlaser products; and NKT Flexibles which is one of just three companies'worldwide manufacturing flexible pipes for the offshore industry.  “All four companies agree on making demands on suppliers, but the dates bywhich the target must be reached differ. This is because the companies - andthe business world of which they are a part - also differ,” says Søren Isaksen. Efforts on many frontsOne new initiative is a whistleblower scheme that enables all Group employeesto draw attention, anonymously, to any breaches or irregularities. As anotherexample, Nilfisk-Advance has approved a company car policy which ensures amaximum CO2 emission of 150 g per kilometre for all new cars. As a thirdexample, NKT Photonics now schedules regular eye tests for employees workingwith high-power laser light. If you would like further information, please contact us on +454348 2000Kind regardsNKT Communications Department