More than ever, the theme of CSR, corporate social responsibility, is in the air. The Briconord Group positions itself as an active player in the evolution of the industry towards greater responsibility and commitment. Numerous actions have been put in place to meet the environmental challenges of developing sustainable offers and reducing the overall impact of the industrial sector on the environment. It is with this deep commitment that the Group is evolving to build the industry of tomorrow.
Interview with the CEO of the Group Christian Guillou
Why implement a CSR approach in the company?
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is one of the fundamental pillars in the conduct of all activities of a responsible company. For the Briconord Group, it is therefore a question of carrying out our activities by contributing to a responsible development approach that pushes towards greater sustainability and the implementation of factual, measurable and verifiable practices for all our activities. This virtuous eco-citizen and social policy is fully in line with our logic of development and to better respond to environmental and social issues such as: the development of sustainable product offers, the reduction of the global impact of the sector on the environment, the well-being of our employees and the impact that we have on the territories where we are established
What is Briconord’s CSR approach based on?
Our CSR approach is based on four pillars that stem from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): human and social responsibility, corporate responsibility, well-being at work and environmental protection.
How should each employee of the Briconord Group be involved?
For each of the pillars, there are commitments and expected actions. The success of this approach can only be achieved through individual initiative and committed behaviour. For it to work, a good CSR approach must be validated and supported by all the players in the company: from management, to the support and sales functions, via manufacturing, supply and logistics, etc., but also our suppliers and other partners.
What example can you give us of the importance of this approach?
When we bid on tenders for our major clients, we have to demonstrate what we are doing in terms of CSR. For example, the calculation of the carbon footprint of our products, our eco-design logic, or the consideration of the future of our products from their design to their “end of life”. It is also noted that the recycling channels at our various sites have been set up efficiently.
What is the agenda around this approach within the Group?
Presentation meetings are organised from April onwards in all company departments with the delivery of a reference document. Our aim is to be able to explain the process to everyone, because it is the action of everyone that will ensure the success of our actions. As such, in each company of the Group, there is a CSR manager who coordinates the approach, serves as a reference and accompanies the operational staff for the CSR initiatives.
What are the main problems we may encounter?
It is important not to get lost in a multitude of actions without objectives. The approach will be introduced gradually, with the aim of achieving tangible and measurable results with quantitative and qualitative indicators. It is important to find the right balance so that all stakeholders benefit, but also to be particularly uncompromising on ethical aspects, environmental criteria and social progress. The CSR approach is a new way of looking at our business. It will enable us to respond to the various challenges and thus better ensure the long-term future of our Group.
To conclude, what is your objective for the CSR approach?
The group is committed to this approach with the aim of being a responsible player in home improvement and hardware and building sustainable growth. This objective is reflected in the headline of our document: “Our commitment to tomorrow’s performance”.
Download the BRICONORD Group CSR Charter (PDF)
