Corporate social responsibility
Aware of its corporate social responsibility, Batenburg Beheer N.V. takes into account the impact of its activities on the environment and the community. This means that the interests of stakeholders and the living and working environment must be brought into line. Transparent, ethical and socially responsible conduct, while being mindful of all stakeholders, are therefore important principles for the Batenburg companies and their employees. The practical vision that is applied on a group-wide basis is that norms and values have to be apparent above all in the culture and conduct of management and employees and not just be enforceable or presupposed on the basis of elaborate reports and codes. A code of conduct endorsed by all employees contains the norms and values of Batenburg Beheer N.V., and there is a whistleblower regulation that enables infringements of the code of conduct or other regulations to be reported.

For Batenburg Beheer N.V., investing in the knowledge of employees, in working conditions, as well as in relationships with suppliers and customers is essential. The company’s re-election as Top Employer 2010 shows that working conditions and opportunities for development are high on the agenda at Batenburg Beheer N.V. The workplace must be safe, and working conditions are in accordance with recognised evaluation and environmental guidelines and quality systems such as VCA and ISO. Occupational health and safety officers play an active role in the improvement of working conditions and the prevention of unsafe working conditions. Toolbox workshops in the installation companies and the identification of risks contribute to a regular employee review and instruction in the field of safety at work.

The Batenburg Group must be an employer of choice where employees can continue to develop. Key cultural elements are a sense of responsibility and respect for others within and outside the company. The Batenburg Group offers training placements for young people at several of its companies. Employees sit on technical trade committees of industry associations. The companies also demonstrate their social involvement by contributing to various local social and cultural events.

At both the European and the national level, standards are being set in order to achieve a more sustainable society in the coming years. Themes such as sustainable government procurement, green buildings and CO₂ reductions are increasingly concrete subjects of discussion in winning and executing orders. Some examples of products and solutions that contribute towards a green future are:

• Our installation engineering business was one of the initiators of the Energy Innovation Business Centre (BEI). The BEI advises companies and institutions on an integrated approach focusing on the quality of the building and technical approach, the living climate and the return on investments.
• Many of our activities relate to lighting. The use of LED lighting is growing because it requires little maintenance and is energy-efficient. Depending on the application chosen, the trading companies apply their knowledge in the field of cooling in order to make the best possible use of the benefits of LED.  
• Our companies also make a contribution in the field of sustainable water supplies, through projects in the field of water recovery and waste water treatment.
• In the construction and maintenance of energy infrastructure, cables are cleaned at the locations where connections are made. We recently introduced environmentally-friendly cleaning products for this purpose, which leave no damaging residues, eliminate health and safety risks and avoid pollution.

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