Stewardship is an important value at Alumat Zeeman
Corporate social responsibility may be one of today’s typical buzzwords, but for Alumat Zeeman, it has always been the most natural thing in the world. We did not start investing in sustainability merely because the “market” so dictates. To us, it has always reflected our sense of responsibility for this planet and the people who live on it – now and in the future, and not only from the time when “CSR” and “sustainability” became hip and fashionable. We have been practicing CRS for decades, from a stewardship perspective: “We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we merely borrow it from our children”. This endeavor is all about three elements that differ from each other yet are closely intertwined: people, planet and profit. Finding the right balance in this is a challenge for every company, and the sum of the many challenges involved is too big for just one company, industry or country.
What is CSR to Alumat Zeeman?
To Alumat Zeeman, corporate social responsibility (CSR) means that we, as a company, take responsibility for the way in which our business activities affect people, the environment and our business operations. We make conscious choices to achieve the right balance between people, planet and profit. We do this by adhering to the principles set out below.
- CSR is an integral part of the philosophy behind our entrepreneurship, in which Alumat Zeeman creates value in terms of the economy (profit), ecology (planet) and society (people).
- CSR is embedded in all our business processes. In every business decision, we aim to create a good balance between the interests of the various stakeholders involved: companies, organizations and individuals. That is why CSR is always tailored to individual situations.
- In the opinion of Alumat Zeeman, CSR is a process, not a final goal. Because the goals we pursue change over time and with every business decision we give our social responsibility policy shape in achievable steps.
CSR as a standard for doing business in the 21st century. Why?
- Companies that are strategically involved in CSR – like us – adapt more easily to a changing environment. They are less dependent on economic fluctuations. Companies that do business in a socially responsible way are demonstrably more efficient and innovative.
- CSR results in cost savings for us: through waste reduction, lower energy costs, lower absenteeism rates and more efficient operations.
- CSR makes Alumat Zeeman more attractive as an employer and increases labor productivity. Employees want to be proud of the company they work for.
- CSR pays off. There is increasing demand on the market for companies and products for which CSR is a priority.
- CSR contributes to Alumat Zeeman’s positive image.
- It goes without saying that CSR is necessary in the long term: we live on a planet with an ever-growing population who need more and more raw materials. An increasing number of these are faced with scarcity. CSR offers solutions.
- CSR may actually become a necessity in the short term, when society no longer accepts that a company should continue to carry out its activities as it has always done.
SDG The Netherlands
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide us with a good basis for a concrete approach. We focus on five of these SDGs:
- Population growth and urbanization
- Food supply
- Water
- Energy
- Climate change
Our expertise in the field of covered crops touches on each of these SDGs. As a family business, we are committed to continuing to do what we have been doing for more than 90 years: continuous learning, adaptation and growth. A desire and ability to collaborate is a critical success factor in this.
