Company Name: HELLA Corporate Center Asia
Award Category: ESG Performance
Company Size: Large Business Group
Environment
Climate Change:
HELLA/FORVIA Climate Targets:
Climate neutral production until 2025
CO2 neutral company: -45% of our total CO2 footprint by 2030 vs. base year 2019 and climate neutrality by 2045
Actions:
All HELLA China plants are ISO 14001 (environmental management system) certified
In order to achieve the objective of carbon neutrality in HELLA's global production network by 2025, the company will obtain 100 percent of the electricity required for production and offices from renewable energy sources by 2025 and is currently investing in the expansion of generating solar power at its production sites. For example, HELLA has put solar systems on the roofs of the lighting plant in Changchun (HCL). The system contributes 3,500 MWh per year to the production site's electricity supply, covering 15 % of the total demand. Around 1,900 tons of CO2 are saved each year. HELLA Jiaxing lighting plant is installed with a 4MW distributed photovoltaic power generation system, which generates about 4,500 MWh of green electricity every year. Around 2,500 tons of CO2 are saved each year.
Natural Resources and Energy:
HELLA Environmental Targets:
Energy saving: -20% energy intensity (electricity & gas in relation to sales) vs. 2019.
Reduce waste: -9% waste intensity (waste in relation to sales) by 2025 and -13% by 2027 vs. 2019.
Examples :
HELLA have energy monitoring system for all production sites in China.
With its global energy efficiency program "Think.Act.Save!", HELLA aims to further reduce energy consumption particularly in production, which is responsible for the company's CO2 Scope 1 and 2 emissions. HELLA global and China team are committed to systematically reduce energy usage at HELLA production sites by questioning themselves how to break through engineering paradigms and physical contradictions that had never being challenged before. Our motto is ‘Quick out-of-the-box solutions founded on lateral thinking, replicated where necessary’.
HELLA adopted mobile office and shared office strategies in HELLA's locations in China, which can reduce employees' carbon emissions in commuting, reduce unnecessary resource purchase and use, improve work efficiency, and reduce resource consumption, thereby reducing overall carbon emissions.
HELLA will obtain 100 percent of the electricity required for production and offices from renewable energy sources by 2025 and is currently investing in the expansion of generating solar power at its production sites. For example, HELLA has put solar systems on the roofs of the lighting plant in Changchun (HCL). The system contributes 3,500 MWh per year to the production site's electricity supply, covering 15 % of the total demand. Around 1,900 tons of CO2 are saved each year. HELLA Jiaxing lighting plant is installed with a 4MW distributed photovoltaic power generation system, which generates about 4,500 MWh of green electricity every year. Around 2,500 tons of CO2 are saved each year.
Prevention of Pollution :
100% use of recycled packaging and appliances in production material circulation to reduce the waste of packaging materials
100% electricity-powered logistics equipment in plant instead of fossil fuel usage.
We provide recyclable packaging for all our domestic customers, and the packaging is recycled & cleaned and reused for production and shipping.
The hazardous waste and general industrial waste from HELLA Jiaxing plant are recycled by companies with government qualifications to avoid secondary pollution. This makes a decisive contribution to environmental protection. The domestic waste is utilized by waste-to-energy companies for electricity generation
HELLA Jiaxing plant has signed packaging instruments and lining recycling agreements with suppliers for the majority of the packaging instruments. The suppliers arrange for the packaging to be recycled on site for reuse in production and delivery.
To enhance the awareness of employee and stakeholder for energy saving, HELLA conducted global and local online and onsite campaigns such as “On the road to Net Zero Challenge”, “We Save Energy” and “100-Day Sustainability Contest”.
Other Actions Taken for Environmental Protection：
HELLA assesses its risks related to biodiversity. The Group has identified its production sites in proximity to Key Biodiversity areas (KBAs). For instance, the plant in Shanghai is located within a radius of 15km to two KBAs. Through its certified ISO14001 environmental management system, the production sites worldwide and in China consider stakeholder interests and biodiversity aspects in their local risk assessments and act accordingly.
On June 16, 2023, HELLA Shanghai Electronics Plant formed a "Plastic Picking Squad" to clean up the plastic bags, waste paper, packaging boxes, cigarette butts, etc. scattered on the roads near the company and in the grass and soil And separate recycling.
On July 12, 2023, HELLA launched the Green Action 100 Contest to the public on the National Low Carbon Day, aiming to promote energy conservation and carbon reduction, call on everyone to travel green and share green life and environmental protection works, and jointly create a sustainable, environmentally friendly low-carbon environment around the city.
Social
HR Development and Engagement:
HELLA employees make the company successful through their ideas, technical expertise and commitment. The safety and well-being of employees is therefore a particular priority for HELLA. HELLA sees diversity as a strength in international competition. A healthy, attractive and value-based working environment that offers a wide range of development opportunities is at the heart of HELLA's HR work.
As an attractive employer, HELLA wants to retain employees in the company as well as promote and develop them in specific roles. As a result, the fluctuation rate (employee-initiated resignations) should also decrease. HELLA attaches great importance to employee training and development. We make huge investment in training every year. In addition to some regular training programs, such as the training for new employees, safety training and certificate training, we also hire external experts to provide special training on individual and professional development.
HELLA offers safe and healthy jobs worldwide. Thus, HELLA aims to continuously reduce the frequency of accidents (accidents per 1 million working hours) and the severity of accidents (lost working hours per 1 million working hours) on a local basis: Reduction of accident rate to 2.2 by vs 4.7 in 2019. Our Health and Safety experts for instance work on safe machine / human collaborations with Cobots. In addition, all HELLA plants in China have obtained ISO45001 certification.
HELLA works closely and trustfully with employee representatives. Employee representatives such as the local Works Council are therefore involved in relevant decision-making processes.
Employee Benefits:
In addition to social insurance, HELLA purchases commercial insurance for employees as a supplement to social insurance, such as medical commercial insurance.
During national statutory holidays and other holidays, HELLA provides employees with corresponding holiday benefits, such as offering gifts.
HELLA provides employees with additional housing subsidies to support their housing.
HELLA provides health management benefits such as health checks and aerobics for employees to help them maintain good health.
HELLA also provides employees with other benefits such as family day activities, employee travel, company annual leave.
Diversity，Equity and Inclusion :
HELLA is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment that places a high value on the contributions of women. HELLA guarantee equal employment opportunities for female employees in full compliance with the requirements of laws and regulations.
HELLA plans to increase its share of female managers & professionals to 27% in 2027. HELLA China has meet and even significantly exceeded this goal in 2023 with the share of female managers & professionals at 36.9%.
HELLA create a good working environment for female employees, which is reflected in the baby care rooms, flexible working arrangements for pregnant and breastfeeding female employees, as well as training for female leadership. In the meantime, HELLA plants set up female workers’ union acting actively to protect the rights and interests of female employees.
Product Liability:
More than 90 percent of HELLA’s sales in the Automotive segment are already independent of the combustion engine.
A good third of HELLA's electronics portfolio already consists of products that contribute to CO2 reduction in road traffic, and the trend is rising. These HELLA products enable, for example, start-stop functions in vehicles and recuperation in hybrid vehicles, or they monitor and control the flow of energy in electric vehicles.
The Lighting division already realizes more than 70 percent of its current sales with economical LED technologies. In addition to the higher energy efficiency, they often also have a lower weight, they are particularly relevant, for electric vehicles. For example, light module SSL 100 produced at HELLA's Jiaxing plant is equipped with matrix micro-LED based on chips. Compared with HELLA's previous generation of matrix LED light module HD84, the assembly space is reduced by 74% and the weight is reduced by 14%. The compact lighting system provides greater efficiency, reduces the use of raw materials, and optimizes the range of electric vehicles. It also results in CO2 savings over the product’s life.
HELLA has been recognized by customers for its excellent technology and service.
HELLA receives three awards from prestigious local and international car manufacturers
Supply Chain:
HELLA's business is present all over the world, and its network of suppliers is also global. When selecting and cooperating with suppliers, HELLA not only focuses on quality but also prioritizes sustainability. HELLA works closely with customers and suppliers to build more transparent and responsible supply chains.
Within its supply chain, Hera respects human rights, social standards, occupational safety, and environmental protection. To this end, HELLA requires suppliers to strictly comply with the "HELLA Supplier and Service Provider Code of Conduct" and the requirements of the supplier certification management system. HELLA conducts risk assessments to check compliance with minimum standards.
Responsible supply chain: 95% Key suppliers with valid sustainability rating (e.g., by EcoVadis) by 2025
Climate neutral supply chain latest by 2045
Community Engagement :
Corporate citizenship: We aim to contribute to social engagement, for instance via the FORVIA Foundation and further local initiatives
HELLA and Faurecia under the umbrella brand FORVIA founded the first Green IT Classroom in the Zhangzhou, Fujian province. Against this backcloth, FORVIA donated 35 recycled computers and other teaching materials to Zhangzhou Punan Central Primary School. While improving students’ experience in the classroom, it also helps to open a window for the students.
Corporate Governance
Governance Organizational and Mechanism:
At HELLA, we are convinced that our corporate business success is rooted in a responsible corporate governance. This includes not only compliance with the principles of good corporate governance, but also treating employees, customers, suppliers and society responsibly, as well as the sustainable protection of the environment. Our HELLA values and the HELLA Code of Conduct provide an overarching framework for this.
HELLA Environmental Targets:
The Executive Board, the Shareholder Committee and the Supervisory Board of the HELLA Group work together in a trusting and goal-oriented manner in accordance with the principles of good corporate governance.
HELLA respects the interests of employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and societies
HELLA communicates openly and transparently
HELLA ensures that corporate risks are dealt with appropriately.
HELLA effectively embeds acting with integrity and responsibility in its business processes. This is intended to ensure compliance by all employees and to prevent systematic misconduct.
HELLA advocates fair competition. The company rejects all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery. HELLA conduct regular reminding emails & trainings to all employees in China.
HELLA win business based on the quality and value of our products. HELLA do not resort to unfair or illegal methods to win in the market.
HELLA is committed to competing fairly and respecting all international and local competition and antitrust laws. Any agreement, understanding or coordinated behavior which intends to restrict or results in a restriction of competition is prohibited.
Sustainability Organization:
HELLA has always been driven by exemplary and responsible corporate action. Sustainability is understood as a holistic task within the group, to which every employee contributes.
Innovation Sustainability:
HELLA invests around 10% of sales in research and development per year. HELLA develops and manufactures products that not only contribute to the safety of humans and the environment, but also meet legal and customer requirements.
Relying on product solutions, HELLA is committed to safe and clean mobility, providing support to customer groups and helping them achieve sustainable development goals.
HELLA's innovative products have won many awards in China:
HELLA wins golden award for its brake-by-wire technology in China
HELLA wins two innovation awards for its Digital FlatLight Technology in China
HELLA wins innovation award for its high-voltage battery management system in China
