The FCI business-driven approach to Sustainable Development
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland report, Our Common Future, 1987). This is achieved through a continuous improvement initiative.
Our values
We believe in a number of core values that play a vital role in the running of our business. These are the beliefs and commitments that we make to our customers, our employees, our shareholders and all the communities in which we play a role.
The values have been developed from a strong commitment to be the best at what we do.
Customer satisfaction
Our growth and sustainability as a group, and thus our ability to meet our commitments to our stakeholders, are conditioned on customer satisfaction.
FCI will apply all of its skills and resources to achieving customer tisfaction.
Profitability
We have a duty to achieve and maintain high returns for our shareowners, our employees and all of our stakeholders.
Responsibility
We are a major player in connectors business. As such, we have a special responsibility not only to our direct stakeholders, but to the public at large, who will ultimately benefit from our products and services.
Integrity
We strive for honesty, integrity and candor in all our actions and practices.
We obey the laws and regulations of every country in which we operate.
Excellence
The very nature of our businesses demands excellence. This means superior
knowledge and constant diligence in matters of health, safety, environmental
protection and quality assurance. FCI fosters professional excellence by
promoting teamwork and creating working conditions that are conducive
to professional development.
Sincerity
Sincere communications and openness to dialog are hallmarks of our
communication programs. Our goal is to provide reliable and pertinent
information enabling an objective assessment of our environmental,
financial, social and societal performance.
Partnership
FCI seeks to build frank and constructive relationships with all stakeholders
to meet their needs. We cultivate a spirit of partnership based on mutual
responsibility, receptiveness and dialog. Our approach is to become
involved in every one of the communities in which we do business.
It is based on respect for local customs and on understanding the communities’ wishes.
Our commitments
The group’s initiative regarding sustainable development follows ten principles
of action which lead our economic performance, our social performance and
our environmental performance.
For the company, continuous improvement is built on the three equal pillars
of a long-range vision: economic development, addressing the expectations
of our employees and stakeholders, and respect for the environment.
Governance
Conducting our operations with responsibility in accordance with the values
of the group; regularly assessing and faithfully reporting on our performance
to shareholders and all stakeholders.
Financial performance
Ensuring the group’s sustainability through long-term profitable growth.
Commitment to employees
Promoting our employees’ professional development and providing excellent
work conditions.
Customer Satisfaction
Listening to our customers, anticipating their needs, supporting their
growth, increasing and measuring their satisfaction.
Community involvement
Participating in the economic and social development of communities
in which the group operates.
Dialogue and consensus-business
Establishing and nurturing relations based on trust with our stakeholders.
Respect for the environment
Minimizing our environmental impact by reducing our consumption of
natural resources, controlling our releases and optimizing waste management.
Risk management
(and prevention) Ensuring the highest levels of safety to preserve
the health and well-being of our employees and members of the public,
and to protect our environment.
Innovation
Developing and deploying the most advanced technologies to anticipate
customer needs and increase our competitive advantage while meeting
health, safety and environmental protection requirements.
Continuous improvement
Deploying a continuous improvement initiative based on sharing best
practices from throughout the group.
Some Examples of Best Practices
Bringing life to the workplace to motivate the team
Nicolas Bru, Automotive Plant Manager in Juarez, Mexico, is a firm
believer in TEAM empowerment and participation, both in and out of the
workplace. “A production site can only be successful if everyone can
contribute and share in its success. So the ‘Creative Team’ (10 administrative
employees) has invested time and effort in recognition and in sporting activities
for the employee community,” says Nicolas. This participatory management
philosophy led to a decrease in absenteeism, as well as reducing the
staff turnover from 18% to 0.02% in one year.
Anticipating customer needs
Customer satisfaction takes many forms, as Nico Van Zijl, project manager for
lead-free components at CDC, confirms: “We do not just abide by the European
Lead Free regulations applicable to us, but also actively helping our customers
to manage the technical challenge of conversion.” FCI became one of the first
suppliers to support customers in this way. Each customer had different
constraints to align with the European regulations. “We adopted a flexible approach
with different conversion strategies for different customers. This sets us apart from
other suppliers, who just tried to direct customers into the same model,” explains Nico.
As a result, customers today can easily choose a lead-free product and is safe to
use in a required lead-free production process in line with the SD philosophy.
Taking a step ahead with new technology
Jean Razafiarivelo, electromagnetic modelling engineer of Corporate Research
Center in Epernon, is quick to give an example of the multiple benefits of innovation.
While the impact of electromagnetic radiation on human health was still under investigation,
Jean says, “Regarding the a thermal effect due to weak radiation, no European directive
exists today. But we anticipated our customers’ concerns about this issue and, as a cautionary
measure, we started to introduce electromagnetic radiation reduction as a priority in our
product design process.” The result of this innovative work also led to improved product
performance with higher signal quality and transmission speeds.
