Engaging with local communities across EMEA to drive positive change

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model where companies are more conscious of the impact they are having on wider society, which is why Sulzer encourages all of its staff to flag initiatives that will benefit from its help.

Sulzer’s business is centred on local communities with products and services that support a wide range of industrial sectors from water treatment and power generation to infrastructure and manufacturing. Its global company footprint means it can reach a vast number of customers to support them in driving improvements in sustainability, energy efficiency and reliability. At the same time, Sulzer recognises that it has a responsibility to its local communities and many of its staff are keen to support charities and local groups where they can.

Raising community spirit

Sulzer views involvement with its local communities as very important as it anchors its operations and helps to form long-lasting relationships. It also increases the engagement of its employees, helping to attract and retain vital staff. In the EMEA region, Sulzer’s service centres took part in a survey to gauge its involvement in communities at a local level. The questions looked at energy initiatives and recycling, as well as community support and charity work.

When it comes to local communities, many of Sulzer’s staff are playing their part, with donations to charities, litter clearing, donating blood, sponsored events, supporting food banks and aiding refugee charities. Sulzer’s staff appreciate their position and want to help others less fortunate, especially children who need better facilities, such as clean water and school equipment.

Support for schools

One recent example comes from South Africa, where Sulzer’s service centre helped to replace the roof of a school building and repaint the walls – the improvements have made a huge difference to the children, who can continue their education without disruption, even when it rains.

The initiatives carried out by the Sulzer team in South Africa have also included supporting two charity organisations on Nelson Mandela Day with a golf event and food donations. Ongoing work in the community includes gifting equipment that is no longer in use from service centres to up-and-coming businesses as well as giving IT equipment to local schools.

Donating blood, sweat and food

Reflecting this spirit to help others, Sulzer’s service centres in the UK, Netherlands and Norway have made several donations to local food banks. More than half of the staff from the Nottingham Service Centre also took part in a sponsored walk up Mount Snowdon, raising more than GBP 3’000 for two local charities.

Meanwhile, staff from Schkopau, Germany, are volunteering for the local fire brigade and employees in Morocco regularly participate in blood donations organised by the International University of Casablanca.

Driving positive change

These are just a few examples of the support Sulzer staff provide within their local communities. As the impact that a business can have goes beyond that of individuals, so companies will need to demonstrate their commitment and contributions to those around them. This includes the support they give to their employees, customers, suppliers, educational institutions and charities, among others.

Sulzer enables its staff to use the reach and resources of their organisation to drive positive change for local communities. All of its collective efforts, from the products it designs and manufactures to its research and development of sustainable processes as well as its work in the community, not only support its CSR goals, but those of its customers as well.