Amer Sports social responsibility
Today, the sports equipment industry and the consumer expect companies to meet increasingly higher standards of social responsibility. Each Amer Sports business segment reports to its respective board on the environmental effects of its operations and on matters of social responsibility.
Starting in 2008, we are segmenting our corporate social responsibility efforts into three separate areas: environmental actions, labor and workplace conditions, and charitable programs. A number of new steps are now being taken to ensure that Amer Sports continues to operate in a manner that our customers and our employees can all be proud of.
Read also: Pro-environmental work at Amer Sports >>
Efficient operations
Amer Sports has commenced an internal project at the group level to evaluate the efficiency of our operations, both in the production process and in our everyday business operations. The goal of this project is to instill the notion that we can always do things more efficiently, more cost-effectively, and also minimize our effect on the environment.
Wilson new headquarters
At our many locations world-wide, environmental considerations have become an increasingly important element in business decisions. Wilson moved into its new global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois in June 2007, and the construction of the new office showcases Wilson’s commitment to the environment.
A majority of the materials used in the workstations and carpet are made with recycled content. Many of the interior surfaces such as the flooring and walls are made from renewable resources. An abundance of natural light permeates the office, and environmentally-friendly lighting is used where necessary. Even the office chairs are made with 99.9% recycled material.
Amer Sports Winter and Outdoor Americas unit
In Ogden, Utah, the home of the new Amer Sports Winter and Outdoor Americas unit, the environment is also an important factor. By retro-fitting the office into an old building, the group saved significant amounts of waste from ending up in landfills. Amer Sports joined Ogden’s Fresh Air Club, donating 25 bike racks and encouraging its own employees to commute in an environmentally-friendly manner. The office is also a member of its local Blue Sky business partnership, purchasing some of its energy from wind power sources.
Better products
At the product level, all of our brands are continuously evaluating how to create better and more durable sports equipment while minimizing the amount of raw materials necessary to produce them. Our companies aim not to use environmentally hazardous raw materials and eliminate them whenever possible. Emissions are minimized, and raw materials and products are recycled as far as possible.
Wilson Racquet Sports
As an example, Wilson Racquet Sports last year announced its green initiative, a program committed to developing and implementing environmentally responsible products and manufacturing procedures across the racket brand’s major product categories.
Many key elements of the Green Initiative have already been recently implemented into the packaging and manufacturing processes of current Wilson products. For tennis balls, all PET Wilson tennis ball cans now contain a minimum of at least 25% post-consumer recycled PET. For 2007 alone, Wilson anticipates this will result in a reduction of 330,000 pounds of landfill waste.
For Wilson’s accessories and indoor racquet sports products, new changes in packaging and manufacturing processes are also being implemented. Wilson has already replaced the non-recyclable PVC packaging for its racquetball gloves with cardboard, a recyclable material.
Additional packaging changes are being made to other indoor products such as protective eyewear for squash and racquetball that will reduce overall packaging waste. In addition, for Wilson’s Evolution Footwear line, Wilson is introducing new recyclable footwear inserts that will be standard in all Wilson tennis shoes starting in 2008.
Proper working conditions
All Amer Sports suppliers are required to meet the Group’s standards for ethical operations, which are based on International Labor Organization (ILO) and SA8000 standards and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Most of the suppliers that Amer Sports works with are based in Asia, with certain suppliers to the winter sports business based in Bulgaria and Romania.
In 2008, Amer Sports is launching a third-party audit program with Bureau Veritas, an internationally-recognized organization that will help our sourcing partners comply with industry standards, regulations, and our expectations in regards to quality, health and safety, and environment and social responsibility. Coordinated out of our sourcing office in Hong Kong, Bureau Veritas will audit our existing suppliers and every new supplier.
Important role in the community
At Amer Sports, we seek to promote healthy lifestyles and sports all around the world. We wish to inspire the world’s youth to discover the fun of exercise, helping them stay healthy and active throughout their lives. We also believe in the power of sports to help people stay motivated and achieve more in their lives, even away from their athletic endeavors.
LiiKe ry
In 2007, Amer Sports and LiiKe ry, a Finnish non-governmental organization, partnered to develop sports and education in Tanzania. The goal of the cooperation is to develop primary education, gender equity, health, school attendance and increased chances for secondary education through sport in the Mtwara Region. LiiKe ry organized Sport, Education and Health Days in nearly 600 schools and local areas in September 2007. Amer Sports delivered nearly 6,000 balls for sports activities such as soccer, basketball and volleyball.
The Breast Cancer Research
Foundation
There are also many examples of the charitable work done by our brands. Wilson is the Official Sporting Goods Equipment Sponsor of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and genetic research at leading medical centers world-wide. Annual donations are made through purchases of all Wilson products.
In addition, Wilson has developed a line of Hope racket and golf sports equipment and accessories specifically tailored to suit a women’s game. A portion of the proceeds from the Hope line also benefits The BCRF.
Salomon Foundation
At Salomon, mountain sports professionals have contributed to the development of Salomon footwear, apparel, equipment and events since 1947. To thank them for their contribution, Salomon has decided to support them and/or their families in cases of serious personal difficulties (accident, extended illness, death) through the Salomon Foundation, which was created in March of 1999.