Recognizing sustainability leadership in ABB’s supply chain

In early 2015, ABB presented its Global ABB Supplier Sustainability Award to GF foundry in Leipzig, Germany, to honor the supplier’s commitment to health and safety, social responsibility and efficient use of energy.

With multiple units supplying ABB, GF, based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, has adopted robust and effective sustainability practices, and represents a model to which all ABB suppliers can aspire.

Its Leipzig foundry, which makes impact- and fatigue-resistant castings for ABB Turbocharging, set a high benchmark in ABB’s supply chain, particularly for suppliers with inherently hazardous and energy-intensive manufacturing processes such as smelting and casting.

“I am pleased that we reward GF in Leipzig with the Global ABB Supplier Sustainability Award to,” said Daniel Helmig, ABB’s head of Supply Chain Management. “The company is an example of an ABB supplier that is in line with our high standards on sustainability and top quality – a real benchmark in our supply base.”

Key elements of GF’s sustainability approach that were recognized by ABB included GF’s continuous investments in technologies to reduce energy consumption, emissions and waste volumes, as well as its strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainable supply chains.

GF has adopted new fuels to help limit carbon-dioxide emissions even as production volumes rise; it relies on recycling for many of its raw materials; and it provides training to reduce accidents and improve health and safety for thousands of employees around the globe.

With the Global Supplier Sustainability Award, ABB seeks to help strengthen the foundations of sustainable business: the effective implementation of quality, health, safety and environmental management systems, as well as the use of recycling, advanced manufacturing technologies and innovative production scheduling to manage energy use efficiently.

“We are greatly honored to receive this award from ABB," said Manfred Leyrer, GF Corporate Sustainability Officer. "It shows that GF’s commitment and activities towards social and environmental responsibility are recognized. It is a stimulus to pursue our sustainability efforts.”

ABB initiated the Global Supplier Sustainability Award to recognize sustainability leaders in its supply chains. Award candidates were identified by screening ABB’s supplier qualification, development and performance data using pre-defined criteria and performance thresholds to assess a supplier’s social responsibility, health, safety and environmental management.