Company Name: WAGO Electronics(Tian Jin)Co.Ltd.
Award Category: ESG Performance
Company Size: Medium-sized Enterprise Group
Environment
Climate Change:
At WAGO, we are convinced that sustainability is the the basis for long-term success and an essential element of and an indispensable element of corporate responsibility. We represent this attitude as a company that is still a family-owned global player for many decades. In order to better operationalise and manage sustainability within the company in the future, we began developing our sustainability program in 2021. Part of the strategy process was a comprehensive sustainability analysis with the aim of identifying relevant sustainability key topics at WAGO.
In order to underline the importance of our goal of more sustainability, we have also adapted 2022 our corporate vision: "WAGO is the backbone of a sustainable & smart connected world". To achieve our vision, WAGO has developed a sustainable development plan with clear goals and constraints, and is committed to complying with various sustainable development standards.
Based on our group strategy, we will drive sustainability via two levers. By enabling our customers, as a practical solution provider, to plan energy intelligently, control it efficiently and use it in a resource-saving manner - in this way, we want to help shape change, especially in the energy and building sector, and contribute to the success of the energy transition. And, of course, by rethinking, adapting or converting our processes and products ourselves - so that in the future, above all, we operate in a more energy-efficient and resource-conserving way. Therefore, "sustainable products and services" and "CO2 balance of carbon footprint" are key focuses of our sustainable development plan, make a contribution to climate protection.
WAGO China has undertaken the group's sustainable development plan and goals (to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for each sub-factory by 2030). In 2022, WAGO China's carbon emissions were 592t, a 6% reduction from 2021.
To achieve our carbon reduction targets, WAGO China has taken the following carbon reduction measures:
Installation of charging stations
Refrigeration renovation project, saving 30% of electricity consumption during the same period
Workshop compressed air renovation project, which can save 10% of compressed air consumption
WAGO is actively promoting the implementation of photovoltaic projects in order to contribute to sustainability. After the completion of the photovoltaic project, it is expected to cover the electricity needs for office and some production purposes.
Provide customers with solutions to help reduce carbon emissions:
WAGO Efficient Energy Management: Corporations are increasingly scrutinizing the efficiency of their buildings and equipment. In addition to legal obligations, tremendous potential savings and synergistic effects are very alluring. WAGO provides versatile solutions for a department's or company's comprehensive energy management program to help reduce energy costs and increase operational potential. This includes, but is not limited to, energy data collection, energy data management, optimization of processes through the cloud, and increasingly stringent energy management standards.
WAGO Lighting Management: WAGO Lighting Management is a highly sophisticated solution for lighting control in large spaces such as production facilities and warehouses. Using a combination of predefined hardware and user-friendly software, WAGO offers a lighting management system that facilitates the design and commissioning of new lighting systems while providing numerous additional advantages for their operation.
Solutions for the Digital Factory: The goal of the digital factory is providing and analyzing production data so operators in the mechanical engineering, automotive and process industries can base their decisions on facts and key performance indicators. Whether in manufacturing, food production or laboratory technology, WAGO helps them，including digital plant gateway, energy management, module type package, IoT and edge computing etc. Digitalization enhances production efficiency and management level, empowering a low-carbon economy.
Carbon Reduction Public Interest activities:
In 2022, WAGO China joined the "Million Forests" tree planting program and launched the public welfare call "You Advocate, We Plant " on World Earth Day. The company donated 2,000 trees in total to desertification-stricken areas in western China. In the name of love, add green to the earth.
One Hour Earth is a global energy-saving event proposed to address global climate change. WAGO China has actively promoted the concept of energy conservation, emission reduction and sustainable development, and called on employees to shut down unnecessary power-consuming products as a demonstration of support for maintaining the ecological environment.
Natural Resources and Energy:
WAGO China obtained ISO50001 energy management system certification in 2022, established a comprehensive energy management system, and has been digging into energy use, energy saving, energy efficiency improvement, and energy substitution to find opportunities for continuous improvement.
WAGO China plans to invest around 400,000 RMB in energy management in 2023. The existing visual power monitoring system monitors the power usage of each workshop and key energy-using equipment to tap into energy-saving potential, and will continue to monitor the other kind of energy sources, such as water, compressed air, and heat, etc. WAGO China uses the econ platform to perform statistics and analyses of energy data and to visualise energy consumption.
In order to reduce energy use and improve energy utilization efficiency, some optimization measures have been taken in the workshop, such as replacing leaking equipment and old solenoid valves, adding airflow meters to equipment, and optimizing equipment blowing points. Energy-saving lightings have been installed inside the equipment, and lighting is used in different zones based on production needs.
In addition, the company has made circular economy one of its strategic environmental protection action plans. Our goal is to reduce resource usage every day, avoid waste, and become a pioneer in the circular economy. We seek opportunities for improvement from the perspective of the product lifecycle in terms of reduction, reuse, and recycling, and implement circular economy initiatives.
Save electricity - improve equipment operation speed and energy efficiency. 1297 kWh of electricity consumption has been reduced in the second quarter of 2023;
Paper saving - Double sided printing logistics document projects, canceling some customer paper document projects, and reducing supplier paper sample projects by 80%, saving approximately 40000 sheets of paper per year, equivalent to reduce cutting 13 trees;
Plywood replaces wooden boards. Using sustainable plywood instead of wooden boards (used as a partition between two pallets in containers) to reduce wood consumption and save costs;
Some shipments were cancelled with packaging straps. Save 8166 meters of plastic packaging tape annually;
Use magic tape instead of plastic stretch film for pallet shipping. Reusable;
Use totes instead of cardboard for single parts shipments, which can be reused.
WAGO China has always adhered to the concept of sustainability and strives to be its advocate, practitioner and enabler.
On World Earth Day, the company sends a call to the public for sustainable development was issued to all employees and our partners engaged in deep-rooted sustainable development: Stay committed to sustainable, co-shaping the future! Call on employees to make good proposals or statements about a sustainable future and take selfies as advocates to speak up for the planet.
WAGO China participated in the revision of GB/T 14048.1 standard and proposed energy efficiency-related standard provisions for low-voltage switchgear and control equipment.
We regularly conduct environmental protection and energy-saving emission reduction-related training and publicity every year. Through traditional training, safety production month, guessing games, online quizzes and other activities, we aim to raise employees' awareness of environmental protection and energy saving.
Prevention of Pollution:
WAGO China attaches great importance to environmental protection and ensures compliant discharge of wastewater, waste gas, noise, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste. At the same time, the company actively promotes environmental protection concepts, enhances employees' environmental awareness and sense of responsibility, and contributes to the construction of a beautiful ecological environment.
The main environmental protection measures:
Treatment facilities for wastewater and waste gas generated during the production process, such as VOCs exhaust treatment facilities, oil separators, and septic tanks. The company has also established a waste gas and wastewater monitoring system and regularly monitors to ensure compliant emissions.
Collection of Waste Classification: The waste in office areas is generally divided into two categories: recyclable waste and household waste, and special collection containers are set up for each. Classify and store hazardous wastes at designated locations, and submit them to Hejia Veolia for unified treatment. For discarded plastic, metals and trays, our company will seek out recycling companies to reuse them as raw materials.
Pollution Reduction Project: Boiler Low-NOx Modification:
Heating boilers are replaced with more environmentally friendly natural gas boilers, and advanced burners are used to further reduce NOx emissions to less than 30mg/m³, which is far below the Tianjin standard of 50mg/m³, achieving a 40% reduction and making a contribution to environmental protection. It is expected to reduce annual NOx emissions by more than 200kg.
Injection molding machine equipment renovation project: The machine adds a coupling, The ejector plate is pushed out by the ejector, and then retracted by the spring. change the ejector to be fixed on the ejector plate. This can reduce the sound of impacting the template when the spring returns. Instantaneous noise: reduced from 82 decibels to 68 decibels.
Reuse of materials: sprue are recycled and granulated, with an annual granulation volume of about 260 tons, which is equivalent to saving 260 tons of materials per year.
Vigorously promote green procurement projects - replacing the use of green and environmentally friendly materials：①Scientific office supplies care about the health of employees, plan to extend blue light resistant screens; ②Reduce to use hazardous chemicals in products and factory equipment and facilities, and replace them with more environmentally friendly materials. For example: In 2022year, use environmentally cleaning agent replace old cleaning agent; ③Replacing the packaging material LDPE film with PLA degradable biofilm， LDPE membrane degradation takes 100 years. The degradation time of PLA membrane is approximately 6 months; ④Using recycled fiber as raw material of copy paper to reduce tree felling and achieve recycling of resources; ⑤Add 20% recycled material to the PET plastic core to achieve material recycling and reuse.
Other Actions Taken for Environmental Protection:
WAGO China values biodiversity conservation and strives for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In 2023, we have successively carried out tree planting, beach cleaning, and bird cage hanging activities.
Social
HR Development and Engagement:
WAGO China has obtained ISO45001 occupational health and safety management system certification.
Safety:
Since 2021, WAGO China has implemented the BBS behavioral safety observation project, aimed at improving the ability of workshop safety management personnel to discover and solve concrns, timely identifying and correcting safety hazards, and reducing accidents. As of September 7th, 2023, WAGO China's factory has achieved 668 Safe Working Days without LTI.
Health and Safety of the employees：
In 2023, we applied for the "Health Enterprise Construction" in Tianjin and passed the expert review of the Health Commission with high scores (not yet publicly announced officially); Encourage employee representatives to participate in the national selection on "Occupational Health Talent" and received honors.
Occupational health management: formulate and implement the plans and measures of occupational disease prevention and control, including the implementation of occupational health projects "three simultaneous", occupational hazard factors detection in workplaces, occupational health physical examination of employees, occupational health training, establishment and maintenance of occupational health monitoring files, notification of occupational hazards, protection supervision and management of occupational hazard protection facilities and PPE, etc., ensure the health and safety of employees at work.
Carry out a series of health and safety activities: invite experts from Tianjin Occupational Disease Hospital & CDC to our company to implement the ergonomic assessment and improvement, internal implementation of all-staff exercises, first aid training and drills, health and safety knowledge lectures (including three highs, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction, infectious disease prevention and mental health, etc.), and special intervention for groups with abnormal physical examination results to improve the physical and mental health of employees and work efficiently.
Healthy meals: In order to healthy eating to improve abnormal indicators “three highs” of employees, according to demands the company canteen provides employees with nutritious diet meals every day.
Other measures: In the office environment, WAGO China adopts a standardized German-style factory setting with strict requirements for lighting, temperature and humidity, ventilation and noise. In order to protect the health of employees, we have built ergonomic chairs and adjustable lift tables. WAGO is honored for the 2022-2023 "Healthy Workplace Certification". In order to foster healthy behavior of employees, EAP psychological assistance hotline is open 24 hours a day. The company regularly organize family and family relations health lectures salon. At the same time, employees are encouraged to participate in physical exercise and joined various sports clubs. The company actively organize employees to participate in internal and external sport activities such as weight loss theme game, health theme activity, and team sports competition.
Employee benefits:
WAGO pays close attention to employees' physical and mental health, family life, organizational development, career development and so on. WAGO fully enables the staff growth cycle, promote the realization of the company's strategic objectives. Personalized, comprehensive staff care is implemented physically, mentally and emotionally. The care include, but are not limit to, monopole, commercial insurance, holidays, birthday benefits, free lunch, free shuttle, providing health check-up, EAP psychological assistance. Organizing various types of thematic activities every month, enriching the spare lives of employees. In terms of communication, the Group provided a multi-channel online platform and offline meetings, such as CEO lunch, and employee experience program to enhance employees' sense of belonging.
Employee Career Development:
WAGO attaches great importance to the career development of each employee. It based on the requirements of the competence and quality model of the entire staff, combined with the characteristics of employees in different positions. The company provides a variety of career development channels. It divides learning development matrix, to provide customized training programs, such as the post-95 Jian program, Xian program for basic managers, Qian program for high-level potential employees, management and training programs, middle and senior training. The company provides a curriculum-rich internal online learning platform, regularly organize learning and development activities. Internal trainers and mentors are available to help staff grow. Starting from becoming a new employee, the Group will comprehensively cover the career development cycle and assist employees in their career development.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
WAGO has signed a "Diversity Charter", anti-discrimination, child labor and other policies. Through a number of positive measures to achieve respect and equality within the company. WAGO China offers opportunities for female employees to learn and participate, builds female manager development programs, uses the Women's Leadership Community to interact online, participates in women@wago projects to promote women's global exchange, and provides women with exclusive health care and benefits. The company has established a mother-baby room for nursing mothers to provide a good environment. In a diverse and inclusive culture, fair communication opportunities and channels for complaints are provided, and unions and workers' representatives provide timely feedback to employees. WAGO employs people with disabilities, provides them with jobs and develops careers. At the same time, WAGO has attached great importance to public welfare projects, actively undertaken corporate social responsibilities, and obtained the SA8000 social responsibility management system certification.
Product Liability:
WAGO currently has almost 200 valid Chinese patents and more than 100 patent applications under examination. We have internally established a comprehensive compliance process for trademarks, patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. WAGO China values protecting intellectual property and innovation. In 2017, it was among the top 10 cases of judicial protection of intellectual property rights in Xiamen, and in 2022, it was a case study for observing trials on World Intellectual Property Day in Tianjin.
WAGO China has obtained ISO9001 quality management system certification. We have a complete product safety and quality monitoring process, system manual, procedures, and institutional documents. From the beginning of establishing our own factory, we have been committed to the development of technology. Over the years, we have continuously invested in automation and intelligence, steadily improving our level of intelligent manufacturing. In 2020, the company applied for and was granted the special subsidy project for intelligent transformation of the Tianjin Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, which is a great affirmation of our company's path towards intelligence. We will continue to work hard and firmly move towards the vision of Industry 4.0.
Currently WAGO terminal blocks are certified for the following products: Europe: (CE, CB, ENEC, CCA, KEMA),America:( CSA, UL), China: CQC, CCC explosion-proof, IECEx, ATEX, UL explosion-proof, Brazil INMETRO explosion-proof. Classification: (DNV, BV, ABS, LR), Completion of product certification can promote the overall quality management of enterprises, and timely resolution of quality problems found in the certification inspection; can strengthen the quality of goods for effective supervision and management, and promote the continuous improvement of the quality level of goods.
"Customer-centric" service concept——WAGO's Digital Intelligent Roadshow/Digital Mobile truck show: Over the past 26 years of its roots in China, WAGO has been adhering to the "customer-centric" service concept and putting customer needs first. Whether it is the digital intelligent roadshow or the new digital mobile truck show in 2023, it is a good communication platform for WAGO's customers, so that customers can understand WAGO's services, products and solutions at their doorstep.
WAGO China safeguards customers’ rights by maintaining market order through various IPR protecting actions such as judicial litigation, administrative confiscation, exhibition complaints, online protection, and customs protection. Every year, through IPR protecting actions, we obtain compensation of approximately one million RMB in China and several administrative and judicial injunctions against competitors to protect the legal rights and interests of our company and customers. WAGO China provides free technical support before, during, and after sales, and free support for our 400 hotline.
Supply Chain:
The procurement department signs social responsibility agreements and anti commercial bribery and environmental protection and occupational Health and Safety Commitment Letter with six major categories of suppliers every year;
Purchase Department select at least two suppliers to audit through on-site with the SPT team, Other suppliers shall be audited through off-site reports. The audit content includes: Child labor, forced labor, health and safety, freedom of association, discrimination, disciplinary measure, working time, salary, management system etc; Based on audit results to evaluation supplier, divide suppliers into A/B/C three categories. A type supplier: suggested improvement measures; B type supplier: suggested improvement measures with defined goals and dates; C type supplier: strongly require suppliers to rectify within specified period of time or consider disqualifying cooperation.
At the end of each month, send “WAGO procurement business compliance” to suppliers that cooperation with in the last quarter.
On suppliers' internal and external environmental factors, events, monitoring methods/ frequency, plans/measures, and other aspects potential impacts to scoring and evaluating risks.
Community Engagement:
Public Interest Activities: Over the years, WAGO China has been implementing the concept of environmental sustainability and actively fulfilling its social responsibilities. In the field of environment, China participated in the "One Million Forests" tree planting program organized by the China Greening Foundation and donated 2,000 trees to the desert area of Inner Mongolia. Employees are called on internally to donate clothes and materials online to achieve renewable resource transformation. Organize employees to engage in sustainable activities such as seaside trash pick-up, charity walk, World Earth Day parent-child events, and more. On the external side, in cooperation with such organizations as the Disabled Persons' Federation, the Sun Language Center for the Psychological Care of Rare Diseases and the Sugi Foundation, the public welfare support shall be continuously carried out in the social field.
Community investment projects: WAGO China has built three libraries in Hebei and Jiangxi provinces and one science and technology museum in Henan province in cooperation with the WAGO China Fund. Each library is equipped with over 2,000 books of excellent extracurricular reading and modern multimedia equipment. About 400,000 books have been put into operation so far, creating a good reading and learning environment for children left behind. In collaboration with the Sun Language Center for Mental Care for Rare Diseases since 2017, the Sunflower Project supports self-employment for people with disabilities. Provide mentors and career development programs for university students in the field of education in collaboration with the Cedar Foundation. In cooperation with the Tianjin Public Welfare Foundation, the program helped poor high school students and college students to solve their difficulties in pursuing education. The Pink Desk Initiative called on employees to participate in public welfare programs. Worked with disabled people and participated in community service operations on several occasions.
In 2023, WAGO China will launch a factory visit program, seeking opportunities to establish relevant alliances and corporate networks, and obtain long-term sustainable development by sharing industry sustainable practices and experiences through inter-enterprise visits.
Corporate Governance
Governance Organizational and Mechanism:
As a family-owned business, WAGO Group has clear organizational governance management, focuses on establishing sustainable brands, and integrates the concept of sustainable development into corporate management and practices, communicating progress and challenges in a transparent and open manner. Senior management of WAGO declares that "we advocate sustainable, proactive action. The company has long-term development goals, saves resources, and contributes to improving the quality of life." Accordingly, sustainability should be an important criterion in our decision-making processes - as defined in our corporate strategy, in which the topic is firmly integrated. On this path sustainability is both a motive for action motive for action and an important growth driver.
WAGO Group has established a dedicated sustainable webpage panel internally, communicating and displaying sustainable practices on different themes. WAGO China undertakes the headquarters' functional structure and established a sustainable development department at the beginning of 2023 to connect with the headquarters' sustainable strategic actions and promote the implementation of localized sustainable projects.
WAGO China clearly defines its own corporate behavior guidelines as part of its business activities, complying with various relevant regulations, such as the EU classification law, REACH/RoHS regulations, international ISO standards, complying with the group's "Corporate Social Behavior Guidelines," and adhering to WAGO's business ethics policy, refusing corruption and bribery, pursuing pure and recognized business practices, fair competition, and establishing a transparent and open reporting channel.
Information Security: WAGO China pays attention to the protection of personal information （including customer and employee information）. The group headquarters has passed the ISO27001 certification. The group has a complete set of management regulations. By defining the rules of conduct in the workplace, it establishes relevant management regulations for maintaining information security in the workplace and adopts corresponding technical means to protect company information assets. ① The company regularly organizes "phishing email test" activities. Through such activities, the network prevention awareness of company colleagues can be enhanced, and the company's ability to protect information security can be strengthened. ② The company has information security training for employees through the SoSafe digital training platform, and provides learning content on data protection and information security topics to enhance the company's ability to protect information security.
WAGO China conducts SA8000 training, compliance training, corporate social behavior guidelines training, business ethics training, anti-corruption and anti-bribery training for all employees annually through the SAM online training system.
Innovation Sustainability:
WAGO China files dozens of Chinese patent applications annually based on products and services. Innovative products are launched every year, such as the localization of the intelligent ECB (electronic circuit breaker) production project in 2023.
ESG is integrated into corporate strategy and management. WAGO is a pillar of a sustainable and intelligent interconnected world, and sustainable development is an indispensable part of the WAGO Group's strategy. We included sustainable development in our corporate vision in 2022 and launched a sustainable development plan, which includes core sustainable development priorities, further developing and implementing these actions at the headquarters and production plants.
We have not only expanded our corporate vision the aspect of sustainability and and integrated the topic into our corporate strategy, but have also begun the development our sustainability programme CONNECT FOR IMPACT! This includes all three sustainability dimensions (ESG): environment, social and governance. Within these areas, we have identified the core topics that provide the greatest levers for change through a comprehensive analysis. In the area of the environment, we focus on the circular economy and climate protection. To assume social responsibility, we focus on promoting sustainability awareness and the participation of all employees, as well as their health and well-being. Governance is about responsible, legally compliant corporate management along our value-added chain, as well as honest and transparent sustainability communication. Our overarching goal is to establish sustainability as a fundamental attitude and established criterion, and to guide all our decisions in the future.
WAGO China Sustainable innovation projects:
The sustainable and intelligent renewal experience - WAGO Office New Area: In the transformation of the WAGO China headquarters space project, we incorporated sustainable concepts into different design details, making green office and low-carbon office possible. In the lighting design, the company adopted an intelligent lighting control system to create a fully intelligent and green building. The quiet office environment with sound absorption and noise reduction, ergonomic lifting office desks, provides employees with a healthy and safe office environment.
Other projects: include the BBS Behavior Safety Observation Project, KickBox Idea Project, and a series of sustainable development projects launched by WAGO China from 2022 to this year, continuously creating value for the enterprise.
Extra Points
ESG / Sustainability / CSR reports, e.g.:
Sustainable development report
ESG Verification or Certification:
Energy, environmental, quality, occupational health and safety management system certificates, SA8000 corporate social responsibility certificate
Responsive to or engaged in ESG Initiatives / Standards / Goals:
Joining the United Nations Global Compact. (We have been a member of the UN Global Compact since 2012 and report annually on our sustainability activities. )
Participated in the revision of standard
Participated in the revision of GB/T 14048.1 standard, and proposed energy efficiency related standard regulations for low-voltage switchgear and control equipment. Energy saving and environmental protection are topics of global concern. Through the formulation and implementation of standards, the low voltage electrical industry products are standardized, so as to rationally use and save energy and improve the energy efficiency of energy-consuming products. At present, TC189 standard committee has completed the review of the draft for approval, the standard program is being approved. Standard Program No. 20210744-T-604 Web site: National Standard Program - National Standard Information Public Service Platform (samr.gov.cn)
Other ESG related awards, e.g. TOP ESG Employer:
China has been recognized as a "China's Outstanding Employer" for three consecutive years
Relevant awards
WAGO China has received numerous awards, including the May 1st Labor Award, 2023 Outstanding Localization Service Provider Award, Automation Innovation Award, CMCD Excellent Industrial Network/Industrial Software Technology Award, CEC Best Product Award, Excellence Enterprise Award, CMCD Innovative Product Award, 1688 Industrial Market Brand Pioneer Award, Aladdin Lamp Award, and many other awards.
WAGO has also been recommended as an excellent enterprise for green assembled building applicable technology and products.
WAGO China was the drafting unit for the " Low-voltage switchgear and controigear assemblies---Part 8;Generai technical requirements for intelligent assembly"
