Sustainability Report
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GRI 2.10
For more than three decades, Algar Agro has developed the unique points for which it stands out in the market, which strengthen its business and which contribute significantly to creating value for the Company. Some of these unique points cannot be measured, therefore are not explicit in the financial accounts. They are the intangible assets, which are mainly:
Brand Strength – Algar Agro is proudly Brazilian, with 100% Brazilian capital, part of a solid and entrepreneurial group, Grupo Algar, recognized for valuing business relationships and human potential. It also owns two strong brands. In agribusiness, the RaçaFort soybean meal is recognized as a product of excellent quality in the domestic and export markets. In the food sector, the ABC de Minas brand owns the top-selling soybean oil which has occupied the top spot in the State of Minas Gerais for more than five years.
Innovation – Part of the growth strategy, innovation is in the DNA of the company since it was founded and is cultivated in all processes. In the industrial area, for example, the weight of the PET packaging used fell from 20 grams to 17.5 grams. This is the fruit of a continuous technological innovation process, focussing on sustainability. The Company is also changing the energy matrix of its two soybean processing plants. In Uberlandia/MG the process has been concluded while at the Porto Franceo/MA the process has been approved and will start in 2012.
As part of this culture to nurture new ideas the Innovation Committee created the Harvest of Ideas campaign to encourage, value and reward collaboration from all associates in finding innovative solutions which will improve the daily activities of the company. The campaign received more than 200 ideas from associates from all the units in the country, of which 16 made it to the final round and 4 received awards, with the winning projects being implemented in 2012.
Working climate – Algar Agro understands that associates satisfaction with their work has direct impact over results and the long term outlook of the business. As well as adequate infrastructure and a consistent people-management policy, the company conducts an annual satisfaction survey to measure associates perception in relation to working environment. In 2011 the general satisfaction index amongst Algar Agro’s professional was 62%, representing a 3 percentage point increase over the previous year. The information gathered is used by the Human Talents area to improve relations with associates and general well-being in every associate’s daily activities.
Human and Intellectual Capital – Algar Agro’s professionals are committed to service quality. The Human Talents area continuously maximizes associates’ potential through training and knowledge sharing. The main catalyst for the intelectual capital of the Company is UniAlgar, the corporate university. Responsible for the accumulated knowledge management, the institution offers and coordinates courses in partnership with well-known institutions. When necessary, the Company sends associates to acquire qualifications in external institutions.
Intangible Assets
For more than three decades, Algar Agro has developed the unique points for which it stands out in the market, which strengthen its business and which contribute significantly to creating value for the Company. Some of these unique points cannot be measured, therefore are not explicit in the financial accounts. They are the intangible assets, which are mainly:
Brand Strength – Algar Agro is proudly Brazilian, with 100% Brazilian capital, part of a solid and entrepreneurial group, Grupo Algar, recognized for valuing business relationships and human potential. It also owns two strong brands. In agribusiness, the RaçaFort soybean meal is recognized as a product of excellent quality in the domestic and export markets. In the food sector, the ABC de Minas brand owns the top-selling soybean oil which has occupied the top spot in the State of Minas Gerais for more than five years.
Innovation – Part of the growth strategy, innovation is in the DNA of the company since it was founded and is cultivated in all processes. In the industrial area, for example, the weight of the PET packaging used fell from 20 grams to 17.5 grams. This is the fruit of a continuous technological innovation process, focussing on sustainability. The Company is also changing the energy matrix of its two soybean processing plants. In Uberlandia/MG the process has been concluded while at the Porto Franceo/MA the process has been approved and will start in 2012.
As part of this culture to nurture new ideas the Innovation Committee created the Harvest of Ideas campaign to encourage, value and reward collaboration from all associates in finding innovative solutions which will improve the daily activities of the company. The campaign received more than 200 ideas from associates from all the units in the country, of which 16 made it to the final round and 4 received awards, with the winning projects being implemented in 2012.
Working climate – Algar Agro understands that associates satisfaction with their work has direct impact over results and the long term outlook of the business. As well as adequate infrastructure and a consistent people-management policy, the company conducts an annual satisfaction survey to measure associates perception in relation to working environment. In 2011 the general satisfaction index amongst Algar Agro’s professional was 62%, representing a 3 percentage point increase over the previous year. The information gathered is used by the Human Talents area to improve relations with associates and general well-being in every associate’s daily activities.
Human and Intellectual Capital – Algar Agro’s professionals are committed to service quality. The Human Talents area continuously maximizes associates’ potential through training and knowledge sharing. The main catalyst for the intelectual capital of the Company is UniAlgar, the corporate university. Responsible for the accumulated knowledge management, the institution offers and coordinates courses in partnership with well-known institutions. When necessary, the Company sends associates to acquire qualifications in external institutions.
Prizes, Awards and Certifications
In 2011, the Company was the 90th placed in the ranking of the 400 largest agribusiness companies, according to the Melhores e Maiores do Brasil 2011 award given by the Revista Exame. The ranking takes into account information concerning sales, exports, number of employees and share control.
An important award was the “Gente Nossa” prize given by the Associação Mineira de Supermercados (AMIS) which selects, by means of a survey with supermarket owners, the best suppliers in different categories, taking into account quality, commercial relations and turnover. Algar Agro was granted this award in each of the past five years in the Soybean and Olive Oil category.
The company has also been awarded several national and international certifications which recognize efficiency, quality and safety of the company’s activities and products, among which are:
• Certificate of Environmental Management ISO 14001top
Certificates the existence and efficiency of of the Company’s Environmental Management systems processes.
• ISO 9001:2000 Quality Certification
Attests to the efficiency of the Quality Management System focussed on improvement of internal processes and associates’ awareness of such systems.
• Certification of workplace Health and Safety OHSAS 18001
Obtained in 2005, it attests to the commitment in reducing environmental risks and continuous improvement in workplace health and safety.
• Food Safety Certification PDF: GMP B2
Awarded by a rigorous Dutch Institute, this certification has been granted to the RaçaFort soybean meal, boosting its sales through the European market. The product, which complies with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and the Sanitary Inspection rules, has also been awarded several other important certifications.