Sustainable Development
No growth without conscience: that is the conviction of GEFCO in the area of sustainable development. As an international company, GEFCO is committed to the responsible management of the supply chain, which group employees put into practice every day.
The responsible management of the supply chain
As a responsible player in the economic and social life of the countries where it operates, the group adopts a dynamic and enduring approach to ensure the harmonious development of its activity.
On a daily basis, the group embraces the following principles:
- Act as socially responsible company: by favouring the commitment of all its partners with a managerial approach that has people’s interests at its core
- Promote harmonious economic development: by systematically incorporating the sustainable development policy of the client or prospect into its business approach
- Control the impact of its activity on the environment: by regularly increasing the share of alternative means of transport to road haulage
- Partner humanitarian / charitable operations: in 2009, for example, GEFCO Portugal has signed a partnership with the Acreditar association of parents and friends of children with cancer. Through the cooperation agreement, GEFCO Portugal will provide Acreditar with sea and ground logistics operations free of charge, transporting goods and non-erishable food products.
A global framework agreement on corporate social responsability
In all the countries where the group operates, GEFCO deploys a "Global framework agreement on corporate social responsability". GEFCO also raises the awareness of its suppliers and subcontractors to the conventions of the International Labour Organisation, in order to promote essential principles such as:
- respect for basic human rights
- respect for trade union rights
- condemnation of forced labour
- non-discrimination in recruitment and career development
- compliance with the health and safety standards in the working conditions of employees.
GEFCO strives to measure regularly the commitment of its service providers to these practices. Violations of these principles may lead to the termination of contractual relations.
Certification for optimal quality
The 400 profit centres of GEFCO have all obtained the ISO 9001/2000 certification. Some sites also work in compliance with the ISO TS 16 949 industrial quality standard. The ISO 14 001 certification process was launched in five countries: France, Spain, Germany, Slovakia and Argentina and will be extended progressively to all the subsidiaries of the group.
All business procedures take into account the sustainable development policy of the client or prospect.
