Business News
Océ stakeholder dialogue generates positive feedback, sustainable ideas
Friday 06. November 2009 - Ambition level addressed re focal points Océ sustainability policy
Océ, an international leader in digital document management, today announced that its annual international multi-stakeholder dialogue generated useful and positive feedback on its sustainability policy.
Stakeholder dialogue essential for robust CSR policy
In conjunction with the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO), Océ believes that stakeholder dialogue is essential for a compelling corporate social responsibility policy. Approximately 40 stakeholders were invited to corporate headquarters in Venlo to comment on the Océ sustainability strategy and targets. During a day-long seminar today, customers, employees, shareholders, vendors and NGOs discussed issues ranging from being an employer of choice, carbon savings and diversity to responsible supply chain management.
Prior to the event, stakeholders had been asked to complete a survey regarding the quantitative information Océ provides on the economic, social and environmental impact of its operations. The findings of this survey formed the starting point for the discussion.
Key findings: sustainability strategy and targets
Stakeholders appreciate the efforts the company has made to reduce its impact on the environment. This has been largely achieved by minimizing both the number of incorrect and unnecessary prints as well as the emissions of ozone, dust, toner and noise.
However, stakeholders question the ambition level of the focal points with regard to successfully minimizing energy consumption per print, maximizing re-use of materials and minimizing non-reusable waste, and establishing Océ as an employer of choice. Océ can be more transparent about the ambition level of the targets by communicating its performance against industry benchmarks, stakeholders said.
Stakeholders agree that Océs sustainability focal points are relevant to the sector in which the company operates and that Océ has made good progress in improving the sustainability of its business activities. Despite that, stakeholders point out there are still areas and opportunities for improvement related to the companys sustainability strategy and targets:
Océ should continue to focus on developing a responsible attitude among employees towards sustainable behavior by promoting environmental engagement and embedding a sustainability mindset in everyday work.
Océ has developed only one target with regard to gender diversity, an essential ingredient in positioning the company as an employer of choice. Stakeholders express the view that employee development is of crucial importance, particularly in the current economic downturn. Moreover, Océ should be seen to measure and communicate employee satisfaction levels.
Océ would benefit from the steps it has taken to generate carbon savings ? by launching a special series of remanufactured printing systems ? by making repeated and consistent reference to this theme.
Key findings: supply chain management
Stakeholders recognize the improvements Océ had made in the course of the last year with regard to supply chain management:
In June 2009, Océ joined the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and adopted the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct. Stakeholders said that cooperation within the sector is good as it prevents the wheel being reinvented. However, the scope of the EICC is not clear to all, particularly the implications of non-compliance. Furthermore, stakeholders advised Océ to help suppliers to improve their processes and comply with the EICC code of conduct.
Stakeholders urged Océ to make use of knowledge from outside the industry.
Stakeholders requested more insight into the geographic spread of its suppliers.
Stakeholders demanded a clearer set of supply chain management targets.
The meeting was considered by the group of 40 stakeholders in attendance to be successful and resulted in numerous sustainable ideas and other positive feedback. It follows from the first Océ stakeholder dialogue held in 2008, following which Océ formulated a clear strategy with measurable targets. Océ also improved the disclosure of its environmental performance by expanding the reporting scope, focus and transparency of its Sustainability Report according to more stringent Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, that address the people-planet-profit dimensions of sustainability.
Océ and the VBDO will further discuss the outcome of the debate and define the next steps in terms of goals, performance and benchmarking. The 2009 Océ Sustainability Report will be published in April 2010.