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Brazil – Arno factory
GROUPE SEB commitment...
“WE CROSS-CHECK A WHOLE RANGE OF FACTORS”
CORPORATE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2007
56
CONTROLLING STRUCTURAL COSTS
The logistics function is vital to the efficiency of
the Group if it is to achieve goals such as faster
time-to-market for products, rapid global
expansion, greater use of sourcing and
development of alternative retail channels.
To guarantee impeccable client service,
we must optimize stock flows between our
factories (or those of outside suppliers for
sourced products) and retailer warehouses,
while maintaining tight inventories despite the
greater distances covered. Beyond the use of
freight and logistics clusters* and centralized
warehouses (Belgium is supplied since 2007 by
the French platform) the Group uses leading
international logistics operators to ensure freight transfer in the
best possible conditions. The Group also recently added an
environment clause to its freight contracts.
Pierig Vezin, Managing Director of Wethica, social audit consultants, Shenzhen, China.
“At the request of Groupe SEB, we carried out 17 social audits of suppliers in China during 2007. The object was
to verify application of the labour rights statement they signed, with particular attention
to points based on the CECED* Code of Conduct, the Global Compact* and local labour
regulations. We were particularly vigilant in the areas of under-age hiring, health and
safety, working hours and pay scales. For our studies, we spend a minimum of two days
on the spot, during which we gather a whole range of information which is
double-checked to verify its accuracy. This involves presentation of the factory by
its management, a detailed visit of
all departments – workshops, offices,
catering facilities, dormitories – scrutiny
of administrative documents and
interviews with members of staff. The 17 audits carried out last
year gave rise to a few warnings, including one on the risk of
employing under-age workers due to inadequate verification of
personal identity. On the basis of these audits, Groupe SEB
decides on appropriate action depending on the circumstances.
While there are still many areas for improvement, I note that
there is a generally positive trend in working conditions
in China.”
* see Glossary.