Code of conduct
This
Code of Conduct describes briefly and clearly the basic value system at Shefa
Group. If you are ever unsure about how to behave in a specific situation, this
Code of Conduct should help you to choose a suitable course of action.
About us:
Our
corporate culture provides an important foundation for our success and is based
on the following four cornerstones:
·
the integrity of our business relations
·
the sustainability of our growth
·
the quality and safety of our products
·
the promotion of innovation
Integrity of our
business relations
Our
business policy and conduct are determined by integrity and fairness. This
means that, if in doubt, any of our employees anywhere in the world can apply
the following principle:
"Shefa
Group expects all employees, up to and including the Managing Director, to
behave with fairness and integrity at all times; both in-house and
externally!"
Compliance with
legislation
It goes without saying
that we comply with all local legislation at our various locations, and with
all in-house guidelines and instructions.
Corporate success at Shefa Group is only possible in a fair competition. For
this reason, we avoid all unfair competitive behavior, in particular
anti-competitive arrangements with customers, suppliers or competitors and all
breaches of competition law. Given legislation that is often broadly defined,
it is important especially when communicating with competitors, particularly in
associations, to ensure that no cartel-related information is exchanged.
No discrimination
We do not tolerate
discrimination of any kind on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, gender,
cultural background, race, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation. Any
form of sexual harassment or bullying is prohibited in the Shefa Group.
Handling company
property responsibly
We handle Shefa Group
property just as responsibly as if it was our own property and do not use if
for personal purposes and do not make it available to third parties. Any
exception to the above principle requires the prior express permission of the
line manager. Likewise, internal company information, in particular all trade
and business secrets, may only be used, stored or reproduced for the purposes
of proper management.
Avoiding a conflict of
interest
A conflict of interest
often leads to risks for the company and puts the employees concerned in a
personal situation that hampers an appropriate decision or gives the appearance
that an appropriate decision in the interests of the company is jeopardized.
For this reason, where possible, we wish to avoid any conflict of interest
right from the start. As Shefa Group employees, therefore, we do not take on
secondary employment with competitors, customers or suppliers and do not
contribute financially to them (unless it is a listed company or the line
manager has given permission to do so).
The general rule applies
that any family, personal or financial relationships that may influence
objective decision making in a very specific situation should be reported to
the line manager for a decision on further procedure in the matter.
During the daily working
hours, each employee shall devote his entire work to the company, that is to
say, secondary work for other employers or any other private activities will
not be carried out.
No corruption
At the Shefa Group, we
do not accept corruption. Please see our anti-corruption guidelines for details
and courses of action for dealing with corruption, which are binding across the
entire Shefa Group.
Even relatively
innocuous local incidents of corruption may have a far-reaching negative impact
for the entire Group, in addition to the local consequences, because the
reputation of Shefa Group can be damaged worldwide and, for example, important
international customers could cease to collaborate with us immediately.
Therefore, all employees and executives in the Shefa Group are called upon to
act against any incident of corruption immediately and decisively and to
terminate the relationship with corrupt business partners.
In relation to the topic
of corruption, it is also the case at Shefa Group, based on our individual
position or function, that we do not request other colleagues - in particular
colleagues who are subordinate to us - to carry out services privately for us
or to give us goods privately that we would otherwise not have received.
IT security
As employees of Shefa
Group, we undertake to comply with the security measures and instructions from
the IT department at the company headquarters in Haiger relating to the
prevention of data loss and the protection against cyber criminality.
We must always act
responsibly when handling equipment used for company business in order to avoid
the loss of or damage to files and IT systems. In addition to general
precautions, this also includes only storing data on mobile devices that are
actually required and deleting data from these devices that are no longer
required.
We comply with data
protection legislation both in relation to employee personal data and when
handling third party data, for example, customer and supplier data.
Sustainability of our
growth
Our growth is
sustainable both with regard to our business and our employees and locations.
Dealing with business
partners
Sustainable growth is
only possible if we understand how to win new customers and build up long-term
loyalty with existing customers for our mutual success. In order to achieve
this, we have to focus on the permanent, successful supply of our customers in all
primary and secondary processes within the entire Shefa Group. Employees in
departments that do not have direct customer contact must also be aware that
they are an indirect link in the supply chain for our customers. Therefore, the
customer service concept applies not only for external but also for in-house
customers within the Shefa Group and between departments.
We listen to our
customers and give them clear and comprehensible responses. We react in a
timely manner to queries and we develop pro-active solutions. We look after our
customers reliably and keep any promises we make. In the case of new
challenges, we always make every effort to find a constructive solution for the
customer and for Shefa Group.
Our aim is also to build
up long-term partnerships with proven suppliers. We value the constructive and
professional execution of mutual agreements and the mutual, constructive search
for new solutions. As is the case with our customers, our communication with
suppliers is to be clear, binding and directed towards the timely processing of
issues not yet addressed.
Collaboration within the
Shefa Group
We are convinced that a
flat hierarchy structure, direct access for the employees at all times to their
line managers and the long-term loyalty of proven employees are essential
prerequisites for long-term success, which will enable us to react in a timely
manner to changing requirements.
Our collaboration with
each other is constructive and based on respect and trust. This includes not
only replying promptly to enquiries from colleagues but communicating openly
and honestly with each other in order to analyse and provide a solution for the
relevant issues.
As Shefa Group
employees, we act and make decisions in a target-oriented and responsible
manner. We are aware that colleagues and line managers rely on us to carry out
our duties correctly, on time and reliably.
For us, a successful
culture of innovation and behaving responsibly towards each other includes
dealing responsibly with failure, when an action that is reasonable and
properly executed is, for once, simply not successful.
The principle that no
alcohol may be consumed during working hours applies not only in countries and
regions where the consumption of alcohol etc. is prohibited.
During business meals
and similar events due restraint should also be applied.
Conduct in day-to-day
business
Our conduct towards business
partners, colleagues and employees should always be polite and respectful. We
are aware that our appearance and our presentation in word and action informs
our image and that of Shefa Group, and therefore, we make every effort at all
times to present ourselves in a professional manner that reflects the values
described in this Code of Conduct.
Work standards
At Shefa Group, we make
sure, where possible, to prevent and reduce any risks to people and the impact
on the environment and to be economic with resources. Safety has priority for
us and this means that all our products comply with both German and
international safety standards. This also means, however, that safety and
environmental standards are adhered to at all our locations and particularly in
our plants, in order to avoid risks to our employees.
Shefa Group rejects any
form of child labour or forced labour and does not accept it from any of its
business partners. Accordingly, Shefa Group supports the statements that are
anchored in the core labour standards of the ILO (International Labour
Organisation).
Quality and safety of
our products
Shefa Group is a quality
supplier of abrasives. Our customers believe in our high-quality products and
high-level customer service.
The quality of our products
is ensured by our specific product standards, regardless of the location. For
this reason, we adhere to the established production processes in the
individual production and packaging locations. At the same time, the
improvement and ongoing development of our production procedures ensures the
quality of our products.
User safety is a crucial
requirement with all our products and production technologies. For this reason,
we value our membership of the Organisation for the Safety of Abrasives (OSA)
and welcome other abrasive manufacturers joining the OSA too.
Culture of innovation
Over its 100-year
history, our group of companies was in a position to develop into one of the
leading manufacturers of abrasives with over 35 companies worldwide only
because it is marked by an entrepreneurial spirit whose aim is the continuous
and sustainable further development of the corporate group.
This requires innovative
thinking and acting at all levels of the group. This approach includes our
willingness to constructively question existing procedures and to be open to
introducing meaningful changes in a timely and pro-active manner.
This culture of
innovation will enable us to provide reliable products and solutions into the
future that meet the requirements of our customers against a backdrop of
rapidly changing markets and continuous technological advancement.
Breach of compliance
If you notice that
employees are in breach of this Code of Conduct, please bring this to the
attention of your colleagues where possible. If the breach is repeated or if
there is an additional breach, please contact your line manager, local
management, management of MKG or a Compliance Officer. If that is not possible
in exceptional cases for personal reasons, please use the ombuds procedure.
Ombuds procedure
It is in the interest of
Shefa Group and each employee that existing abuse or inappropriate business
practices are ended. A breach of compliance should therefore be addressed
openly and directly and resolved. If an employee in exceptional cases for
personal reasons is not in a situation to address the situation openly, any
employee within the Shefa Group may make contact on a confidential and
anonymous basis with the Ombuds Office, in order to draw attention to
inappropriate business practices and abuse, without the fear of personal
reprisal. The ombuds procedure should not be abused or used for everyday
disagreements between an employee and the line manager.
Contact may be made with
the Ombuds Office by email or telephone. Contact: omb@klingspor.de Tel. +49 (2773) 922-388.
Management at each Shefa
Group company must ensure that all employees are informed of the role of the
Ombuds Office and are aware of its current contact details.
Effective
Date and Legal Notice
The original
effective date of this Agreement is December 1, 2020.
Copyright 2020 SHEFA