Brussels, 17 November 2014 – Last week was an important milestone for enhancing sustainability in automotive supply chains. The European Automotive Working Group on Supply Chain Sustainability, consisting of ten automotive manufacturers and facilitated by CSR Europe, organized the Sustainability Automotive Supply Chain Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, on 13 November 2014.
In the framework of the Group, some companies from the Automotive Working Group engaged in an in-depth dialogue with their suppliers to gain a mutual understanding and look for common solutions to improve sustainability performance throughout the supply chain. About 120 participants joined the forum, including representatives from automakers, suppliers, local associations. The event was co-organized by TAYSAD, the Turkish Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers.
During the day the attendees discussed issues like business ethics, environmental sustainability, human rights and working conditions, while also taking the local context into consideration. The discussion was based on the Automotive Industry Guiding Principles to Enhance Sustainability Performance in the Supply Chain. Speakers and participants commented on the challenges they each encounter and what possible solutions could be. Speakers included representatives of BMW Group, Daimler, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen, Volvo Cars and others from the automotive trade.
“The Sustainability Automotive Supply Chain Forum is a unique opportunity to bring together car manufacturers and suppliers as a step forward to reaching the common aim of sustainable automotive value chains. The European Automotive Working Group on Supply Chain Sustainability will take the outcome of the day and use this momentum to strengthen the dialogue with suppliers,” said Stefan Crets, Executive Director CSR Europe.
“Enhancing sustainability in the deep and complex chain is a key concern for automotive players. Sustainability and regulatory trends pose certain challenges in the automotive industry, but the sector recognises its role. The sector has the responsibility to sustain and improve its benefits while reducing the environmental footprint of its products, services and production facilities. However, there is a long way to climb and keep a good position in the global arena in terms of competitiveness. Automotive companies must read innovation and CSR as a central strategy to the success of their business operations. Improved social responsibility can only be fully realised through a collaborative approach. Every single chain in the system must play their part, be fair and highlight their commitments to improving business ethics, transparency, working conditions and the environmental impact of the automotive supply chain. Joint efforts and mutual collaboration will establish the desired sustainable relations between OEMs and Suppliers”, said Süheyl Baybalı, Executive Officer TAYSAD. 17/11/2014
About the European Automotive Working Group on Supply Chain Sustainability: The Working group consists of several automotive manufacturers working together – in addition to their own efforts – to enhance sustainability in their supply chains. As of March 2014, the following 10 companies are members of the group: BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Scania, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Volvo Group, Volvo Cars.
http://www.csreurope.org/european-automotive-working-group-supply-chain-sustainability
About CSR Europe: CSR Europe is Europe’s leading business network for Corporate Social Responsibility. With 65 corporate members and 39 National Partner Organisations, it is a platform for supporting companies from different industrial sectors to positively contribute to society. CSR Europe facilitates the work of the Automotive Working Group. www.csreurope.org
About TAYSAD:TAYSAD is the sole accredited association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers of Turkey. Founded in 1978, has 350 members with various business structures. TAYSAD members annually generate > 22 Billion $ turnover, export 9 billion of this value to all around the world. TAYSAD represents 130.000 workforces of the industry. TAYSAD is a member of CLEPA and one of the founding partners of OTAM, which is Automotive Technology and Research Centre in Turkey.
cp@csreurope.org For more information, contact Catalina Pislaru at.
