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To guarantee effective and transparent management, Eternit conducts its business in accordance with a structure of professional standards, laws, regulations and internal policies. Ethical conduct is a fundamental value for maintaining a healthy workplace, ensuring an effective business strategy and preserving the brand.
Eternit believes that to maintain its solid growth pace it must diversify and innovate its business. Guided by the Structured Expansion and Diversification Program, Eternit is preparing to become the most diversified construction materials company in Brazil. The first phase of this program has consolidated Eternit’s position as the largest and most diversified Brazilian roofing products manufacturer in 2010, and its capacity to innovate and create competitive advantages has enabled it to double its revenue.
The Company then embarked on a new cycle to become the most diversified manufacturer of construction materials in Brazil by drawing on the strength of its brand and the broad coverage of its network of more than 16,000 resellers.
In 2014, Eternit, in line with the Structured Expansion and Diversification Program, concentrated its investments in maintaining and modernizing its industrial facilities and the future installation, in Manaus, Amazonas, a unit for the research, development and production of construction material inputs.
The Structured Expansion and Diversification Program features the following guidelines:
Organic Growth | Goal of expanding current production capacities to sell more of the same.
Diversified Organic Growth | Goal of including new products in the Company’s portfolio by drawing on the production capacity of third parties or by developing new products.
Inorganic Growth | Goal of acquiring companies in the construction materials segment.
Respect for employees is one of Eternit’s guidelines for ensuring that its strategies are effectively implemented and the success of its business, which is why it invests in and values its employees.
In 2004, Eternit adopted a Code of Ethics that was given to all employees to disseminate its guidelines based on the principles and values of the Eternit Group, which are applicable to all people and public and private organizations integrating and/or interacting with the Company.
In addition, in 2002, Eternit adopted its Information Disclosure and Use Manual and the Securities Trading Policy, which regulate the activities of holders of privileged information. In 2006, the Company launched the Management Excellence Program, which was revised in 2012 to incorporate a stronger grounding in quality, environmental, health and safety management guidelines to ensure the sustainability of the business, leading to its renaming as the Integrated System Policy.
The Code of Ethics guides the conduct of internal stakeholders, who enjoy extensive access to the document through its incorporation in the new employee integration plan, the Employee Manual, the Intranet, regular training programs and internal communication actions. The document is also available for consultation on the Company’s corporate website (www.eternit.com.br) and IR website (www.eternit.com.br/ri).
In 2014, to reinforce ethics as a value, the Company organized a workshop entitled “What it means to be ethical” for employees located in São Paulo. In 2015, this initiative will be extended to all plants nationwide as part of an ongoing effort to disseminate a culture of solidarity and respect, including respect for differences.
In 2014, SAMA continued its Transparency Campaign to prevent inappropriate practices involving corruption in its management. All employees, third parties and partners were informed during the integration process and in the Daily Safety Dialogues (DSD). To achieve the campaign’s goals, a number of communication methods were adopted, which included placing collection boxes throughout the company to encourage whistleblowing.
Through these initiatives, the companies of the Eternit Group did not register in the year any incidents of discrimination that required corrective actions. Compliance with the Code of Ethics is monitored through workplace climate surveys and audits. All companies of the Group have formal channels for anonymous whistleblowing directly to the Human Resources department and/or the Company’s chief executive officer, through which all employees, partners, clients and suppliers can communicate while remaining completely anonymous. In 2014, no incidents or risks that could infringe on human rights were identified at the units of Eternit. In addition, no incidents of corruption involving employees were registered. GRI G4-56, G4-HR2, G4-HR3, G4-HR4, G4-SO4, G4-SO5
The Integrated System Policy was developed by Eternit and Precon and is based on the following guidelines:
Within the scope of the capital markets, Eternit complies with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM), having adopted since 2002 an Information Disclosure and Use Manual and a Securities Trading Policy. These documents establish the best practices for disclosing and using privileged information and for trading in the Company’s securities, and are applicable to all directors, officers, employees and service providers.
The industrial operations of Eternit, Precon and SAMA are certified by the standards ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management). In fact, SAMA was the world’s first chrysotile mining company to comply with these standards. The environmental management system adopted by these units identifies and controls environmental aspects in accordance with federal, state and municipal law and is based on the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology.
Eternit has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2007 and consequently its business practices incorporate the initiative’s Ten Principles. The Company also supports the Millennium Development Goals, another UN initiative.
Eternit also participates in a series of industry associations dedicated to disseminating best corporate and sustainability practices, as shown in the following table:
