Sustainable Development

Sustainability Strategy

 

To keep improving our sustainability performance and to target our activities in our key areas, Dertec Logistics & Services B.V pursues a comprehensive sustainability strategy. This strategy is based on our sustainability commitment and six strategic action areas and supports both the various dimensions of human development as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to which we once again commit ourselves. The following keys overarching strategic action areas determine our success: To anchor the afore mentioned six key strategic issues in our global activities we use various instruments and measures. To firmly establish responsibility for environmental and social issues at the highest level, the relevant principles are reflected in our HSSE Policy. We develop our internal policies and standards based on internationally recognized principles of responsible entrepreneurship. The basis for this is our Code of Conduct, which is binding for all employees. Other tools include internal audits, the implementation of certified management systems, and a statistical monitoring of key performance indicators (Key Performance Indicators – KPIs). Because sustainability for us is about ensuring our future viability, it will be integrated even more closely into our investment decisions as well as our daily workflows and processes in the future.

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

In our HSSE Policy, we commit to preventing all accidents, injuries and occupational illness, and to protect the environment. We therefore continually optimize all of our subsidiaries’ activities with a view to technical, organizational and behavior-based safety and promote a proactive safety culture.

The corporate Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) Department in Hamburg develops guidelines and minimum requirements for all subsidiaries. Targets are set and the performance is benchmarked to achieve continuous improvement. 

One significant measure is the creation of comprehensive HSSE manuals that are specifically tailored to the respective operating units – and based on which the sites develop appropriate local management systems.

A central tool for learning from incidents is a global incident database. To prevent incidents and their reoccurrence, all accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe acts and conditions are logged and systematically analyzed. If necessary, HSSE alerts are created, distributed to the relevant sites and discussed with our employees.

To monitor compliance with our internal standards, internal HSSE audits are performed and detailed HSSE statistics with “leading” (forward-looking) and “lagging” (retrospective) KPIs are analyzed.

A further central point of our effort to conduct our business activities in a safe, healthy and environment-friendly manner is the training and education of our employees. New employees as well as contractors and visitors are instructed in matters of HSSE before taking up their work or their visit.

 

 

 

Sustainability Growth

To achieve long-term success and controlled growth, we rely on a healthy mix of risk between the operating units, without neglecting ecological and social aspects. The operating units act independently while being strategically connected. We publish our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report of the Dertec Logistics & Services B.V Group. By additionally publishing economic indicators in accordance with GRI requirements in Dertec Logistics & Services B.V’ annually Sustainability Report, we present a comprehensive picture of our contribution to the sustainability of a larger economic system. We pay taxes, create jobs, and invest in the local infrastructure in Rotterdam, Houston, and many other places around the world.

Risk Management

One of the greatest challenges as we pursue our strategy of controlled, long-term growth is to limit the manifold financial, operational and HSSE risks. That is why we work based on a permanent and thorough risk management scheme that individually rates all risks and defines tailor-made mandates, tasks, and responsibilities. To further ensure a healthy mix of risk, all risks – including social and environmental ones – are evaluated in the context of the entire group of companies. We take a decentralized approach whereby risks are broken out to the individual companies and responsibility is assigned at operating unit level. The principal risks that may affect future business performance include:

  • Currency fluctuation
  • Another international financial crisis flare-up and/or sustained economic downturn
  • Political conflict in oil-producing countries and the resultant tensions on the oil markets
  • Rising prices for natural resources and purchased energy
  • Environmental and natural disasters as well as effects of the climate change
  • Higher risks in countries we are active in
  • Global pandemic, such as the global outbreak of COVID-19

Supplier & Customer Relations

The diversity of our company is reflected in the broad spectrum of our suppliers, ranging from vendors of technical equipment for our operational sites to office equipment suppliers. We treat our suppliers with respect, maintain an honest relationship with everyone involved in the business processes, and strive to establish a long-term cooperative partnership. For us, this means not only acting responsibly on our own premises, but along the entire supply chain.

Internal supplier lists increase transparency in the quality and performance of our business partners, with the ultimate goal of giving our customers excellent services and products. At our sites we also place great importance on safe working procedures for employees from sub-contractors. At Dertec Logistics & Services B.V, an integrated contractor management program has been in place since 2014.