2007 Reference document (PDF) - Valeo

4.2.2. Environment
Environmental protection demands a number of initiatives which
are, by definition, long-term. Valeo has been committed to this for
nearly twenty years, both in terms of product innovation and the
management of industrial sites.
The objective is of course to prevent environmental pollution, but
also to protect the environment by reducing consumption of natural
resources (water and raw materials) and energy, reducing or even
eliminating the consumption of dangerous products, reducing waste
and achieving maximum recyclability of all products, and offering an
industrial environment that is both safe and pleasant to work in.
■
■
■
Valeo innovations systematically incorporate an environmental
dimension into their design. This applies to a product throughout
its lifetime: from design to production and use, right up to the
management of the product at the end of its life. Since 1998,
a group of experts in environmental matters and research and
development from different Valeo Product Families have been
working together to reduce the environmental impacts of
processes and products over their entire lifecycle. This research
group meets regularly to discuss specific topics such as the
elimination of banned and restricted substances or the use of
recycled plastic, for example. In 2007, the work group launched
the process of compliance with the REACH Regulation (on the
registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals).
This work will continue in 2008. REACH requires that chemicals
bought or made by the company are listed, that the toxicological
risk associated with their use is evaluated, and that if necessary,
market authorization is sought for them. Today, Valeo is engaged
in compiling an exhaustive list of the substances handled and
sold, via the Group’s HSSE (Health Safety Security Environment),
R&D and Purchasing networks.
Valeo has also created a reference database of substances that
are banned or restricted in the automotive industry. Updated again
in 2007, this database details the regulations applicable in the
different countries where Valeo operates and the requirements
of its automaker customers concerning over 600 substances
used in the composition of parts and in manufacturing and repair
processes.
To fulfill its progress objectives, Valeo bases its environmental policy
on performance as well as the implementation of a management
system which leads to regularly renewed external certification.
This is the case with ISO 14001 certification, the international
standard in terms of environmental management systems.
At the end of 2007, 94% of the Group’s sites had ISO 14001
certification, compared to 77% at the end of 2006. The aim
is for all Valeo sites to be certified. Newly acquired sites are
immediately integrated into this certification system.
■
2007 Reference document - VALEO
Activity
The Group
The g eneric plant is also a concept developed by Valeo, based on
the work of the HQE (High Quality Environment) association, the US
Green Building and World Bank recommendations. All new plant
construction and refurbishment projects are carried out according
to very detailed specifications. These cover site selection, plant
architecture and construction, employee working conditions, plant
operation, application of regulations, risk prevention, optimized
energy consumption, and the reduction of emissions and waste.
All building and renovation specifications involving safety, security,
health and the environment are outlined in the Valeo Factory
Design Guide.
4.2.3. Health Safety
As regards health and safety in the workplace, Valeo has begun
a process for obtaining certification in accordance with the
OHSAS 18001 international standard. Launched in mid-May 2005,
the project aims to obtain certification for all Group sites and in
2006 and 2007 was a key project for the Group in this domain.
At the end of 2007, 74% of sites had OHSAS 18001
certification, compared to 52% at the end of 2006 and 11%
at the end of 2005. Like the ISO system, this health and safety
management system is based on continuous improvement.
The Group’s environmental indicators can be consulted in section
“Environmental management and performance”, in Chapter 2
“Management Report”.
4.3. Industrial Functions
Operational excellence is of critical importance to Valeo.
The controlled expansion of the Group’s business requires the daily
implementation of a basic principle: obtaining cost-effective total
quality first-time, whether this involves methods, manufacture,
projects or purchasing.
The Technical Department, which brings together the Quality,
Purchasing, Industrial, Projects, Logistics, Information Systems and Real
Estate Departments was set up in 2005 to assist the Group in pursuing
its plan of reducing costs and optimizing quality, as well as fostering
cooperation between these seven functions. Its objective is to ensure
that the 5 Axes are applied in a strict and disciplined manner.
The 5 Axes methodology is applied around the world, by all
Group employees, in order to deliver “zero defects” to the
customer. The 5 Axes are:
■
< Contents >
Involvement of Personnel: this implies recognizing skills,
enhancing them through training and giving people the means
to carry out their responsibilities. Employees are particularly
encouraged to make suggestions for improvement and participate
actively in the work of autonomous teams;
1
PAGE 21
1
2
3
4
5
6