Addtech's Sustainability Report 2015/2016

Purpose and objective of the report

The purpose of this sustainability report is to describe the Addtech Group's objectives, strategies and governance, as well as accountability, risks and opportunities from a sustainability perspective. Its purpose is also to show the Group's results from an economic, environmental and social perspective. By continuously evaluating the business from these perspectives, we visualize savings and improvement potential and minimize our risks. In addition to contributing to the business value, the goal of the sustainability report is to provide customers, employees and shareholders an understanding and knowledge of Addtech's CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) work.

We add value

Addtech has been working according to the same business concept since 1906 - representing international suppliers on the Nordic market. The business concept has proven successful for over a hundred years, which is testimony to the fact that, despite the industrial trend and varying state of the economy, a link is needed between manufacturers and users, as long as it adds value.

The value is created in our subsidiaries, which feature an endeavour to be the market leader in well-defined niches. Our sales people are business professionals with technical expertise who work closely with our customers and suppliers to cater to various customer requirements. The product range spans standard components to bespoke holistic solutions, all of which have a high expertise and technology content.

Addtech adds value by being an active owner of independent subsidiaries. We constantly grow through acquisitions and are proud today of being a group with more than 120 active subsidiaries. Because our subsidiaries have a high degree of freedom and are themselves responsible for their operations, while forming part of a greater group at the same time, we combine the financial strength, experience and extensive network of a large, listed corporation with the personal commitment and business acumen of the subsidiaries. With our size and strength naturally comes great responsibility with respect to our owners, employees, society and the environment. Our ambition is for Addtech's operations to have a positive effect on our surroundings and to promote long-term sustainable development through economic and technological value creation.

key events in 2015/2016

• Addtech employees are absolutely crucial for our success. A good corporate culture lays the foundation for job satisfaction, low absenteeism, good relationships and low staff turnover. Addtech is, and should be, a company where work and private life can be balanced. Employee surveys are conducted regularly to ensure a favourable work environment. Group Management and managers attach great importance to the information from the employee survey and are working on making changes based on the results. Addtech strives to achieve a working environment that promotes health and wellness. Based on the most recent employee survey, the Group has identified areas for improvement and carried out initiatives where there was potential to improve working conditions or the work environment, both in the individual subsidiaries and at the Group level. Additional employee surveys and initiatives in this area will be carried out in 2016.

• Suppliers are an important stakeholder group in Addtech’s sustainability efforts. An analysis of suppliers' sustainability and relationship to Addtech’s Code of Conduct has continued during the year and efforts to obtain more responses continue. No significant inadequacies have emerged among the suppliers to date. During the year more companies participated in the supplier evaluation and additional companies will be channelled into this evaluation during the financial year 2016/2017. The goal is that the dialogue with suppliers will strengthen their sustainability work and motivate them to integrate it into their business models so that we can add value together in the same direction.

About this sustainability report 

Addtech publishes an annual sustainability report. The report is a key part of the sustainability work as it highlights these issues in the Group so that employees, owners and other stakeholders receive the opportunity to learn about how the sustainability work is being developed. Reported topics include the Group’s use of energy, climate impact, employee turnover and employees’ occupational health and safety.

The report complies with application level C of the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) G3 and pertains to the 2015/2016 financial year, with comparative data from the 2014/2015 financial year. Unless otherwise indicated, the sustainability report encompasses the operations of the Group as a whole. During the year 2016/2017, work has begun with the objective of the Group being able to report accordning to GRI G4 in the financial year 2016/2017.

This sustainability report has not been reviewed by the Company's auditors.

about Addtech

Addtech is a technology trading group that provides technological and economic value added in the link between manufacturers and customers. Addtech operates in selected niches in the market for advanced technology products and solutions. Its customers primarily operate in the manufacturing industry and public sector.

Addtech has just over 2000 employees in more than 120 subsidiaries that operate under their own brands. The majority of Addtech's operations is concentrated to the Nordic countries. The Group also operates in 14 countries outside the Nordic region, and also exports to a further 20 or so countries. Group sales are around SEK 6,2 billion and the Addtech shares are listed on the Nasdaq OMX in Stockholm.

Our operating companies endeavour to be the market leader in their niches. The companies are bound together by Addtech's corporate culture where business acumen and technological expertise are key, and where the flexibility, personal approach and efficiency of small companies is combined with the Group's extensive network, resources and financial strength. Addtech pursues long-term developmental work in the area of sustainability, comprising all subsidiaries in the Group. Sustainability is about taking long-term responsibility for the sustainable development of employees, the environment and profitability.