International group
With growing numbers of employees outside Sweden, NIBE is becoming an increasingly international employer. Following major acquisitions during the year, there were approximately 8,000 NIBE Group employees by the end of 2011. The average number of full-time equivalents for the year was 6,895 (2010: 5,945): of these 80% (78%) worked in countries other than Sweden. Although we are now very much an international company, we have succeeded in maintaining strong, competitive production facilities in Sweden and other high-cost countries by investing in measures to boost productivity and enhance efficiency. We have, however, also invested in plants in Eastern Europe, China and Mexico. Manufacturing costs are lower in those regions, so it is there that we produce products subject to the stiffest competition. However, we also see these regions as attractive growth markets for our other products.
Our values and the factors behind our success are a constant focus of attention and we work hard to communicate these when recruiting, in our information updates for co-workers and whenever new employees join the Group via company acquisitions.
In 2011 all our employees in all countries have been updated in writing and through seminars about ‘Our Business Principles’ and ‘Our Values’ in an initiative that has been widely welcomed by employees from all cultural backgrounds.
An attractive employer
It is crucial for NIBE to attract, retain and develop co-workers of the right calibre, and our ambition is to make sure we are perceived positively as an employer who offers generous opportunities for personal and professional development. We set our sights high and demand a great deal of our employees. In return, they enjoy freedom with accountability, a work ethos characterised by common sense and a straightforward approach to problem-solving, and excellent career opportunities.
These are some of the factors behind our low incidence of sickness absence, low staff turnover – and the constant stream of applications from job seekers. The average NIBE employee is under 40 years of age and stays with the company for more than seven years, and one in ten has some form of university education. Staff turnover for the NIBE Group is below six percent.
Sickness absence
In 2011 sickness absence in the Group averaged 5.0 percent (4.8 percent). The figures for both short-term and long-term absence are relatively low at between 2 and 3 percent.
Working environment
NIBE is a manufacturing company so work environment hazards tend to be related to exposure to noise, dust, hazardous chemicals, heavy lifting, repetitive strain and industrial injuries. We endeavour to provide a good working environment through high technical standards and preventive measures that include risk assessments, measurements, training and safety inspections. There are formal Safety Committees at 90 percent of our production facilities.
Workplace surveys and risk analyses were carried out at 20 units during the year to identify risks such as exposure to dust, noise and solvents.
Several NIBE units are certified according to the OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety guidelines.
Accidents at work
In 2010 a total of 143 (214) accidents at work resulting in more than one day’s absence were reported. The most common causes of injury were accidents involving machines and equipment, heavy lifts and repetitive strain, and injuries as a result of falling or slipping. Six occupational accidents involving contractors were reported during the year. Approximately ten cases of work-related illness were registered in 2011.
Training and education
Many of our products have a high technical content that requires a great degree of awareness of the need for quality in the manufacturing process. For this reason we train co-workers in a variety of technical skills, production techniques and quality control procedures. Training sessions are often led by our own instructors with their unique mix of experience and company-specific expertise – a cost-effective way to spread knowledge and equip co-workers with the skills and attitudes we need to meet the future. In 2011 we offered a total of almost 85,000 hours of training, which corresponds to just over ten hours per employee.
Training in environmental, work environment and safety issues took place at virtually all the Group’s production facilities and averaged around three hours per employee.
Salary levels/collective agreements
The same rules and values apply to all Group units. Rates of pay comply with national legislation, are pitched above the local minimum wages and fully reflect market conditions.
The NIBE Code of Conduct acknowledges every employee’s right to be represented by a trade union or other employee representative and to collective bargaining and agreements.
Human rights
We encourage diversity and disassociate ourselves from all forms of discrimination as clearly stated in ‘Our Values’. There were no reported cases of discrimination during the year. Work to inform co-workers of our Code of Conduct, which commenced in 2011, will continue in the future. Responsibility for these matters lies with the management of each individual company.
Social commitment
NIBE plays an active part in the communities where we have factories and offices, cooperating with schools and universities, sponsoring sporting and cultural events, especially among young people, and participating in local events and development projects.
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