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Corporate social responsibility
Wegener recognises that the sustainability of an enterprise and all considerations related to this goal are influenced by the policies it selects. The company has designated social responsibility as a foundation stone of the mission of the group. In this context, Wegener took concrete steps in 2005 with introduction of the Code of Conduct for Koninklijke Wegener and its group companies. This code sets forth how the company seeks to behave and what is required of its employees with regard to such matters as observing laws and regulations, integrity, openness, proper conduct with colleagues, concern for working conditions and safety, concern for the environment, and involvement with society.
Social involvement is inseparable from Wegener because of the substantial and crucial impact of the media on society. As publisher of regional daily newspapers, free door-to-door newspapers, and internet products, Wegener operates deeply within the fabric of the regional societies to which these products are provided.
Journalistic reporting entails a significant social responsibility, thus demanding a high degree of care and integrity. This is to a large extent assured by the editorial statutes of each daily newspaper, which give particular emphasis to journalistic responsibility, autonomy, and unbiased independent reporting. Through the journalistic products it supplies, Wegener makes a significant contribution to the knowledge level and development of awareness within Dutch democratic society.
The importance of the individual client, the Dutch citizen, is central in developing the group’s strategic and operational policies. The dynamic character of the media world demands that there be constant dialogue with both readers and advertisers. Reader panels allow consumers to react to the content of the group’s newspapers, and customer satisfaction surveys are conducted regularly, while periodic use and appreciation studies illuminate the wants and needs of the group’s clients. To an increasing extent, readers and site users are themselves given ample opportunity to contribute to the content of the newspapers or the wide range of internet products.
Social involvement also is expressed via the group’s publications and multimedia products, through collaborative alliances, sponsorships, and the provision of editorial coverage as well as free advertising space. Wegener’s dailies and free door-to-door newspapers give coverage to innumerable regional and local activities and initiatives in fields such as culture, sport, charitable projects, public information, education, and leisure-time activities.
With this perspective, Wegener became one of the founding members of Fonds Slachthofferhulp, a charitable foundation devoted to victims of crime, roadway accidents, and disasters. The foundation supports and seeks to improve the circumstances of victims and their companions or survivors. Another example of Wegener’s corporate activities is its support of the Freevoice Foundation, which stimulates the development of independent media in Eastern European, African, and Latin American countries. Its goal is to strengthen the democratic process and the role of independent media in these countries.
Wegener’s success is determined by its people. The group therefore strives to create a positive working environment, one within which each employee can develop to an optimal extent, and which offers varied and safe work assignments. There are ample training facilities, and each year groups of young people who have completed their studies in journalism or management are intensively coached so as to foster their career development. Wegener believes that a good working environment and transparency for its employees are crucial. For this reason, the company has a code of conduct, ‘whistle-blower’ provisions, and a complaints procedure.
The Wegener organization works with distinct and clearly communicated guidelines for operating processes and regulations, all of which are set forth in manuals. Internal audits assure compliance with these mandates. Every Wegener employee is expected to be familiar with all of the legal and regulatory requirements that pertain to the group’s operations, as well as requirements set forth by supervisory bodies. A matter of particular emphasis stems from the requirements of the Dutch personal data protection act (WBP). Since Wegener’s publishers and internet activities make use of numerous databases containing personal details, compliance with the requirements of the WBP is closely monitored.
Wegener strives for good, open relationships with employee organisations and representative bodies. Each year, the group prepares a Social Annual Report, which is sent to all employees and is also available on the corporate website, www.wegener.nl.
The group’s involvement in careful attention to the environment has been embedded in daily operations for many years. This involves preventing pollution, reducing the volume of waste materials, and minimising the consumption of energy. Wegener first issued an environmental declaration in 1994, and then renewed and updated it in a new declaration set forth in January 2005. This policy was worked out yet further during 2007. Among the group’s accomplishments is the granting of full ISO 14001-2004 certification to all Wegener graphic production locations.
There was significant attention to implementing the improvement in environmental administration developed in 2006, so that information bearing on the relationship between purchasing and the waste flows is now available more rapidly and accurately. This has resulted in better insight into the generation of hazardous waste in the group’s operations, and an action plan has been developed to further reduce this waste flow.
A new Dutch decree on reducing the volume of packaging paper and cartons, which took effect as of 1 January 2008, aims to reduce the volume of packaging material that reaches the consumer. Producers – including the group’s graphic production facilities – are to be taxed based on the amount of packaging material they use, thus encouraging them to reduce usage of packaging materials wherever possible. Such efforts by Wegener will take shape in consultation with clients.
A renewed environmental policy plan was drawn up during 2007. Its priority is reduction of the volume of hazardous waste. In addition, various measures developed in the policy plan drawn up in 2006 were implemented in 2007. At the printing plants in Enschede and Apeldoorn, dust extraction equipment was installed to capture dust generated during start-up of production runs. Such cleaners are to be installed at the production location in Best.
Environmental considerations played a prime role in the selection of the new presses ordered for expansion of the facility at Best, thanks to which energy consumption will be reduced when they go into operation. After the shutdown of the plant at Breda, its two presses will be recycled by the producer, and will provide replacement components for other users.
Along with its financial annual report, Wegener publishes an Environmental Annual Report, which is available externally via the group’s website, www.wegener.nl.
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Wegener producten
Dagbladen
7 regional newspapers. Daily reach of over 2.4 million people.
Huis-aan-huiskranten
Over 225 local door-to-door papers. Weekly reach of 6.8 million people.
Online
National network of news and special interest sites, monthly reach of 3 million people.
Speciaal Media
Concept and realization of print and new media products.
The job site for MBO and HBO, 800,000 monthly visitors and thousands of new jobs each week.
Site for new and used cars,
2.8 million monthly.
Website with daily local discount offers of at least 50%.
Producer of newspapers and newspaper-style magazines.
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