Spectris operates from 150 offices around the world. The company’s products are used to monitor and control processes for enhancing productivity for customers in a wide range of industries. Spectris is committed to creating business growth through adding value for its customers whilst ensuring that its impact on the environment is minimised.
Spectris continues to be a member of the FTSE4Good UK index, which measures and benchmarks the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards, with particular emphasis on the environment and human rights.
The policies and information described below apply to all Spectris operations.
Policy setting and monitoring
Overall responsibility for developing corporate policies on environmental, social, ethical, and health and safety matters, and for reviewing their effectiveness, lies with the Spectris Board. The individual operating units are then responsible for ensuring that these policies are communicated and applied within their particular business, taking account of local legislation and regulation. All policies and procedures are reviewed periodically and any updates are communicated to the operating companies.
Spectris policies and procedures are communicated to all business units via the Spectris Group Manual. Conformity is monitored by a process of self-assessment, with the Managing Directors and Finance Directors of each operating company required to certify, on an annual basis, compliance with these policies and procedures and report on any non-compliance events. This forms an integral part of the company’s risk management and corporate governance processes, and is regularly reviewed by the group’s internal audit function and the company’s external auditors.
Environment
Many Spectris products and technologies have positive environmental benefits by providing customers with the ability to reduce energy consumption or wastage or to control emissions. Our curing lamps, for example, use ultraviolet light to cure or “dry” environmentally-friendly inks and coatings, replacing conventional heat treatment of traditional materials which is energy-intensive and emits toxic solvent vapours. Our instrumentation helps wind farm operators to keep their turbines running by using remote predictive monitoring to detect and prevent faults. Our products can also help customers to meet environmental legislation. For example, we supply instrumentation which can measure low levels of materials such as lead and cadmium to meet the European directive on the restriction of hazardous substances. Further examples of the use of Spectris products having a direct beneficial contribution to the environment are shown on our website.
Our environmental policy is published on our website at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php.
Spectris aims to reduce the environmental impact of its operations by developing products which are energy-efficient and avoid the use of harmful substances. The design processes take into account the operational lifetime of every product and end-of-life removal or disposal. Consideration is given to the recyclability of materials, energy consumption, environment-friendly production, packaging and shipping. Products have been developed which meet the new European regulations on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). For example, printed circuit boards used in instrumentation sold to customers in this region no longer use lead-based solder in their manufacture. This legislation has not had a material impact on the company’s operations and in fact has brought benefits to businesses such as PANalytical which has developed X-ray instrumentation specifically for customers to analyse their products to ensure that no traces of the prohibited substances are present.
Climate change
The nature of our activities means that Spectris’ operations have very little impact on the environment, as our products do not require capital-intensive manufacturing processes. Nevertheless, we are committed to adopting environmentally responsible policies wherever our companies operate. Due to the nature of the group, both in terms of geographical locations (5,500 staff in 150 offices in more than 28 countries around the world) and the characteristics of our business (the majority of manufacturing is outsourced to third parties, with Spectris providing design, assembly and test operations), and the way that we are organised (autonomous companies, with only limited resources at the corporate centre), Spectris does not require its companies to measure greenhouse gas emissions or the use of other resources such as water and waste and the low power consumption of our operations means that Spectris is not required to participate in the European Emissions Trading Scheme. Nevertheless, all businesses are conscious of the need to conserve energy and resources and local initiatives are in place at many sites to reduce energy usage and minimise wastage. These include recycling of waste paper, cardboard, plastic cups, aluminium cans, batteries, toner cartridges and mobile phones, reducing energy consumption through the use of timers and sensors to control hot water, air conditioning and lighting, reducing water consumption and re-use of packaging and filling materials. Spectris complies with the UK Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations which set targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste.
Spectris businesses also work with their suppliers to help them to reduce their impact on the environment and to ensure that their products meet the relevant legislation. Supplier audits and surveys are regularly undertaken by operating company managements and the strategic purchasing teams.
Environmental management systems
Malvern Instruments achieved certification to ISO14001 during 2007, bringing the total of Spectris’ operations covered by this environmental standard to approximately 50% by turnover. Other companies are working towards accreditation where this is deemed beneficial for their customers.
During 2007 no significant environmental incidents were recorded.
Health and Safety
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for environment, health and safety matters. Senior executives in each of the business units are responsible for implementing the company’s health and safety policy at local level and ensuring compliance with local legislation and regulations. The company’s health and safety policy can be viewed on our website at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php.
Spectris is committed to providing a working environment at all of its sites which, so far as is possible, is safe and without risk to health. Each operating company is responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of health and safety are achieved by its employees and by sub-contractors and suppliers.
Any serious health and safety incidents are reported by the Managing Director of the business in an accident report to the Company Secretary, who reports on this issue to the Board. All accidents are thoroughly investigated and appropriate corrective and preventative actions put in place. No serious injuries or deaths have been reported in the last ten years. Although minor incidents are monitored locally, statistics for these are not compiled for the group as a whole. Audits of health and safety policies and procedures are undertaken at all major locations by external assessors acting on behalf of the group’s insurers on an annual basis and recommendations are made for improving practices where appropriate.
Employees
Spectris’ employees are key to the success of the company. We employ a large number of highly-qualified people who work in a creative environment with scope for individual responsibility and achievement. Compensation and benefits, which are in line with other leading companies in the sector, are designed to reward the achievement of objectives. Annual reviews provide feedback on employees’ performance, set objectives and identify training and development opportunities to enable them to meet their full potential.
Spectris operates mainly in Europe and the US, but with a growing presence in Asia. Although different social and employment conditions exist in different locations, Spectris places high priority on compliance with the legislative and ethical requirements of the countries in which we operate, particularly with respect to employment practices, labour rights and equal opportunities. The Company Secretary has overall responsibility for human rights, employment and ethics policies, but responsibility for implementation is delegated to individual business units, with operational policies and procedures tailored to suit local needs. The company’s employment policy is available at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php.
Overall HR policies are set at the centre and implemented by each operating business, taking account of local conditions. Spectris retains a diverse workforce, valuing the different perspectives of its employees, and the company is committed to equal opportunities for all employees in terms of recruitment and employment, training and development, and promotion. We strive to create a culture of honesty, respect and professional excellence whilst maintaining a healthy balance between working and personal lives, with initiatives such as part-time and job share opportunities providing family-friendly working conditions. Employee surveys are carried out in a number of companies to measure the views of employees on company issues and action plans agreed to address the issues raised.
Staff turnover is dependent to a large extent upon local market conditions, but is generally low, particularly at senior management level and amongst technical/R&D staff, where in-depth technical knowledge brings loyalty and commitment to the company. Whilst data on employee turnover is not collated centrally, it is monitored by individual businesses.
Graduate recruitment programmes and student work placements exist in several companies, providing opportunities for young people, particularly scientists, to be introduced to the business environment.
It is the responsibility of the managing directors in each operating company to ensure that all employees are fully aware of Spectris’ HR policies. The group monitors compliance through various processes, including confirmation in writing by each business unit annually, and consolidated Equal Employment Opportunities Commission returns which are produced in the US.
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Our employees are key to our success. |
Training and development
Spectris’ commitment to training and personal development emphasises the importance of retaining staff throughout the group and ensuring that all employees are encouraged to realise their full potential. Annual appraisals and performance reviews are carried out to determine training and development needs for individual employees. Malvern and Servomex, our two principal UK businesses, have received the Investors in People award for their programmes of training, appraisal, employee development and skills recognition.
Financial participation in the group is encouraged through the Savings Related Share Option Scheme, available to all UK employees, and through grants under the group’s Performance Share Plan made to senior management across the group.
Values
Spectris has established a core set of behavioural values which all of our employees abide by:
- Honesty
Acting with absolute integrity in all that we do. - Empowerment
Creating an environment of autonomy in our operating companies where people are expected to take the initiative and to succeed. - Ownership
Taking personal ownership of the responsibility of our roles. - Delivery
Performing to the highest standards against the commitments we make both internally and, especially, externally to our customers. - Speed
Ensuring that our business decisions are made and actions executed with a sense of urgency.
These values define who we are and how we do business, both as individuals and as a company.
Employee communications
The company has a policy of encouraging its operating companies to provide information to their employees on a regular basis. This information includes matters relating to their company’s performance, its prospects in the markets it serves and the future outlook for its business. In addition to regular staff briefings, most companies have intranets where news bulletins are posted.
Human rights
Spectris believes in the fundamental rights of people in all parts of the world and is committed to adopting internationally recognised human rights standards wherever it operates. The company’s human rights policy, which can be viewed at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php, is consistent with the Principles of Human Rights, as set out in the International Labour Organization’s Core Conventions, and includes policies on non-discrimination, harassment, pay and forced labour.
The General Manager of Asia is responsible for ensuring that the highest ethical standards are maintained in all of our Asia-based operations. Spectris has a number of sales offices in China and also owns a factory which supplies high quality weighing components. This comprises a modern facility located in a business park along with other western companies. The factory employs skilled workers, adopts employment conditions consistent with best local practice, and pays wages that are higher than average for the area.
Ethics
All employees are expected to behave with honesty and integrity and demonstrate appropriate business behaviour. The ethical standards we expect each employee to meet are set out in our Ethics policy which is communicated to all employees. This policy prohibits bribery and similar facilitation payments. Donations to political parties or similar organisations are also prohibited. Any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated. All operating companies are required to comply with export control regulations governing shipment of products and the appropriate compliance procedures are in place.
Spectris operates a confidential “whistleblowing” policy via which employees may report to the business’s management team or any Board member, via a confidential email address, any concerns they may have over unethical business practices or conduct, dangers to health and safety, or breach of company policies. Any such disclosures are appropriately investigated. In addition, Spectris is committed to protecting the career and reputation of employees who report wrongdoing in accordance with established procedures, so long as their disclosures are delivered in good faith and seek to safeguard the best interests of the group.
Suppliers
Spectris has no significant suppliers who are dependent upon the company’s business. Suppliers are paid in line with contractual and legal obligations. Outsourcing of products, particularly in Asia, is to quality-approved organisations only which are regularly inspected by the strategic sourcing teams and local managements.
Community involvement
In line with the way the group operates, community activity is organised by individual companies at a local level. Spectris operating companies worldwide support local charities and participate in a range of local community activities and educational initiatives. Examples of community activities are described on our website at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php. Donations to charities and community causes in 2007 totalled £28,000 of which £10,400 were in the UK (2006: £22,000 of which £9,500 in UK).