Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
REPORT SWITCHER 2013
ARTICLESMANUFACTUREDINEUROPE
COTTONARTICLESAREUNDERTHEMAXHAVELAARLABEL
OFTHEARTICLESCOMEFROMFACTORIESCHECKEDBYATHIRDPARTYORFROMEUROPEANCOUNTRIES
COTTONARTICLESMADEOFORGANICCOTTON
OFTHEMODELSARETRACEABLE
63 %20 %
100 %
96 %31 %
POLYESTERARTICLESMADEOFRECYCLEDPET
49 %2012 : 47.3 % 2012 : 100 %
2012 : 14.2 % 2012 : 40 %
2012 : 28.4 % 2012 : 92.3 %
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 PROFILE 3
1.1 Vision of the Founder 4
1.2 Interview of the CEO 5
1.3 The Switcher Group 6-7
1.4 Brands 8
1.5 Clients 8
1.6 Sponsoring 9
1.7 Products 9
1.8 Collection 10-11
1.9 2014 new models 12
1.10 Human resources 13-15
1.11 Economic Data 16
2 GOVERNANCE 17
2.1 Significant CSR stages 18-19
2.2 CSR new projects 20
2.3 The Accord 20
3 TRACEABILITY 21
3.1 Factories producing for Switcher 22-23
3.2 Textile factories 24
3.3 Respect-code 25-26
4 SOCIAL ISSUES 27
4.1 Minimum requirements for new suppliers 28
4.2 Partners 29
4.3 Social programs 30
4.4 Wages verification 31
4.5 Fondation Switcher 32
5 ENVIRONMENT 33
5.1 Coton & Polyester 34
5.2 CO2, H
2O & LCA 35
5.3 Environmental impacts 36-37
5.4 Mobility 38
6 CONCLUSIONS 39
6.1 Evolution of indicators 40
6.2 Commitments 41
6.3 Index GRI 42
6.4 Report scope 43
›
PR
OF
ILE
MISSIONS
1 To identify our clients so as to offer the solutions they expect through a specific service thanks to our expertise.
2 To promote a unique selection involving the minimum amount of stocked products capable of meeting the needs of several markets.
3 To develop production platforms so as to guarantee a controlled stock policy.
4 To be a Swiss traceable clothing brand which, through its transparency, proves its respect for the environment and its ethical commitment throughout the production chains.
5 The brand: to cultivate awareness as a differentiating factor.
VISION
To be the Swiss benchmark brand in offering expertise across several markets by cultivating a sustainable development approach.
Profile 3Governance 17Traceability 21Social issues 27Environment 33Conclusions 39
PR
OF
ILE
54
the different stages of their manufacture. The reasons for this are obvious: transparency is the only way to reveal our modus operandi. We do not have the infrastructure or the means to launch expensive marketing campaigns. And so we reasoned: if we provide access to all the necessary information and play fair, client trust will repay us by granting credibility to the Switcher brand – a precious reward which marketing cannot provide.
And experience has confirmed that companies who target the intelligence and conscience of their customers, rather than just their wallets, can rely on their long-term fidelity and a capital of trust.
Robin Cornelius, Chairman
Parallel to our network of shops, 2013 has seen an increase in « Switcher corners » throughout Switzerland, born of natural partnerships, such as that concluded in 2012 with Migros, whose vision and shared values allow the construction of a privileged, long-term relationship.
Which market shares remain to be entered? While remaining faithful to its ethos and basic products, Switcher is constantly researching new sectors of activity. In 2012 Switcher developed its presence in the tourism sector. 2013 was marked by the launch of the Geelee Switcher Organic collection and its resounding success in the Swiss retail network.
1.1 — VISION OF THE FOUNDER
1.2 — VISION OF THE MANAGEMENT
Today we can obtain an almost infinite quantity of information from around the globe with a mere click of the mouse, but we know almost nothing about the products in our immediate environment. Progressive companies inform their customers as to how their products are manufactured. For clients who are more aware make better purchasing decisions and “forewarned is forearmed”.
Most people nowadays choose a product due to its price and perhaps also for its brand. They have no idea who has made and transported the product, under what conditions and how much energy has been consumed in the process.
Where? Why? How? Of course, one may wonder how many consumers are interested in these questions. But can the customer really be indifferent to the fact that his trainers, costing one or two hundred francs, have been manufactured for ten or twenty francs under dubious conditions...? As an entrepreneur, I assume responsibility here. And that is why, at Switcher, we have a basic principle that a responsible company must be able to answer the following three questions before launching a product on the market: why do we need this product? how was the product manufactured? and where was the product manufactured?
Like a car without number plates The substantive issue is to know if, before deciding to do something about it, a company always has to wait until it is under pressure and will do nothing unless motivated by fear, or alternatively, if it decides to become a pioneer. If it were up to me, products manufactured by companies who do not have detailed answers to the three questions above should not even be marketable – just as a car cannot be driven on the road without number plates.
Ensuring fair play Since April 2006 our products are traceable via www.respect-code.org, a platform which follows
What were the most significant aspects of the year 2013 ? On the one hand, we have intensified our production in Europe; the proximity, experience and size of the manufacturing units in question are particularly well adapted to our needs. This year 63% of our production is « Made in EU », which represents an increase of 23% over the preceding year.
On the other hand, we have placed our sales force at the heart of the company and this is now its most important department. One of the reasons for the perennity of the company for over 30 years is its capacity to be active in the markets which it enters. In 2014 almost 75% of Switcher's workforce will be directly or indirectly dedicated to sales activities. As a direct corollary, we are pursuing our policy of concentrating on our core business by outsourcing peripheral activities. The partnership established in 2013 with the Planzer company who have taken over our logistics with no loss of employment to our own staff is a perfect illustration of this strategy.
How have you consolidated your sales force? Switcher has chosen to invest in experienced human resources in both corporate and retail sectors. Today, Switcher can count on specific and experienced competencies in implementing action plans in these distinct business models. Furthermore, Switcher is setting up an HR monitoring unit in order to remain in constant contact with the world of work.
How have your sales networks evolved? At present we manage five company-owned sales outlets on the Swiss market. These shops act as 'laboratories' for our network of retailers, following the principle of management through example. Our objective is to be able to rely on a sound, top-quality and steady network. In Lausanne, the new Switcher Flagship Store enables us to develop the Switcher concept directly in situ for the benefit of our network of retailers: basics, quality and comfort, a healthy, up-to-date family image.
Extrait de «Das Switcher-Prinzip, Warum uns weniger mehr bringt», Robin Cornelius. Editions Wörterseh. 2014.
PR
OF
ILE
76
Products & Procurement
Sales & Marketing
CSRFinance &
AdministrationITLogistics
Human Resources
Switcher SA is a Swiss limited liability company whose commercial headquarters are in the Mont-sur-Lausanne.
In 2013, Switcher SA continued to put in place an organisation which strives to provide its customers with improved co-ordination and efficiency, in line with the development of its new markets.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
MANAGEMENT
Members of the Board of Directors are elected once a year. They do not receive fees or expenses. In 2013, The Board of Directors met 4 times.
› Transfer of logistical activities to Planzer SA as from 1st January 2014.› Relocalisation of production in Europe - Portugal and Rumania,
for 63% of “Made in EU” purchasing, compared to 40% in 2012.› 5 company-owned Switcher sales outlets, with one Flagship Store
in Lausanne.› Reduction of number of NOS (Never out of Stock) references : 76 models
in 2014 as opposed to 87 in 2013.› Development of our “wide distribution” partnerships and e-commerce
PGC Textile Corporation Private Limited 86 %Robin Cornelius, Switzerland 14 %
SWITCHER HOLDING SASwitzerland
SWITCHER SASwitzerland
SWITCHER GMBHGermany
SWITCHER QUALITY TEXTILES
India
PGC TEXTILE CORPORATION PRIVATE LIMITED
India
1.3 — THE SWITCHER GROUP ( as of 31.12.2013 )
* An independent member is thus described when he has no financial interest in the organization or other potential benefits that could create a conflict of interest – GRI source.
MEMBERS FUNCTION SINCE
Robin Cornelius President 1981
Aadith Vikram Duraiswamy Vice-President 2010
Subbahiagounder Duraiswamy Member 2011
Prem Duraiswamy Member 2010
Jérôme de Meyer Independent Member* 2009
* Fondation Sandra Schlittler 2005
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN 2013
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SHAREHOLDERS
GROUP ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
DEPARTMENT MANAGERS SINCE
CEO Alban Dupuis 2011
Products & Procurement Eleonora Paradies 2013
Sales & Marketing Marc Joss 2000
CSR Gilles Dana 1996
Human resources Danièle Buonocore 2004
Finance & Administration Véronique Page 2013
Logistics Alban Dupuis 2011
IT Sanjeev Kumar S.H. 2011
CEO
Board of Directors
Fondation Switcher*
PR
OF
ILE
98
Solidarity, the pleasure of being together, creativity and respect of others are all prominent features of the events that Switcher supports. All activities related to education (students, schools, groups) are supported by the Switcher Foundation or the CSR Department (corporate social responsibility).
In 2013, the main sponsored events were :
Sport20km Lausanne, FSG/STV, Swiss Athletics, Lausanne Marathon, Thuner Stadtlauf, Sierre-Zinal. Culture, Music & MoreSession Basel, Gurten Festival Bern, Montreux Jazz Festival, Paléo Festival Nyon, Open Air St-Gall, Basel Tattoo, Tous en Choeur, Cully Jazz, Zermatt Unplugged, Openair Frauenfeld, Royal Arena, ETF Biel, Festival de la Cité.
Customers can be divided into three categories:
1 Clients Retail Stores, Shop in shops, Corners, Wholesale.
2 Clients Corporate Companies involved in manufacturing, screen printing, embroidery, advertising articles and workwear.
3 Customers Direct clients of the online shop www.switcher.com
1.4 — BRANDS 1.6 — SPONSORING
1.7 — PRODUCTS1.5 — CUSTOMERS
Switcher is the group’s main brand. High quality, comfortable and attractive articles are sold in a wide range of colours. They are 100% traceable and manufactured according to extremely high social and environmental standards.
Whale is a brand with a very good price-quality ratio aimed at corporate clients. It is 100% traceable and manufactured according to extremely high social and environmental standards.
Swiss Vision by Switcher : the range of attractive and amusing souvenir items, emblematic of all Switcher's social and environmental values. Created to provide an image of our country which is worthy of the tourists who honour us with their visit.
In stock: 100 designs on sale at all times; new articles and new colours launched several times each season.
At the request of clients: Switcher develops personalised and unique products from A to Z for businesses, clubs, associations and events.
T-shirts 62 %
Polo shirts 12 %
Sweaters 8 %+ fleece
Jackets 7 %
Pants 5 %
Caps 4 %
Miscellaneous 1 %
Shirts 1 %
4.2million
articles sold
100 % of the models are traceable
100 % of the models are in conformity with Oekotex 100 and REACH standards
100 % of the models: exact calculation of the impacts CO
2 and H
2O
ARTICLES SOLD BY CATEGORY NUMBER OF B2B CUSTOMERS BY TYPE / COUNTRY
1637clients
Corporate, Germany 256
Retail, Switzerland 494
Retail, Company - owned, Switzerland 5
Corporate, Switzerland 510
Retail, Switzerland, SwissVision 222
Corporate, France 57
Retail, others countries 3
Corporate, others countries 44
Corporate, Austria 46
PR
OF
ILE
1110
1.8 — THE COLLECTION ( AT 01.01.2014 )
Traceability Oeko-texCottonOrganic GOTS
PETRECbottle0.5 kg liters
SwitcherIndex
Switcherindex:A-B-C-D-E 6 points A++5 points A+4 points A3 points B2 points C1 point D0 point E
Switcherindex:A-B-C-D-E Traceable 2 pointsOrganic cotton 1 pointFairtrade Max Havelaar Cotton Program 1 pointRecycled PET 1 pointGOTS certified supply chain 1 pointMade in Europe 1 point
The “Fair Trade Cotton” programme enables small farmers to sell more cotton on fair trade conditions: guaranteed minimum price for their cotton and benefit from an additional fair trade premium; this is dedicated to the financing of social and community projects. Switcher is the 1st Swiss partner of this programme (2014). www.maxhavelaar.ch/program 20 % OF THE TOTAL VOLUME OF COTTON PURCHASED IN 2014 WILL BE FAIRTRADE – MAX HAVELAAR
Environmental impacts of CO2 and H
2O water foot-
print throughout the whole manufacturing process; from raw material to the finished product. Exact value for each model: www.respect-code.org.100 % OF THE ARTICLES WITH THE CO
2 & H
2O
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
100 %
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the world-wide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, of the entire textile supply chain.20 % COTTON ARTICLES ARE SOLD UNDER THE GOTS LABEL
20 %
20 %
Switcher products with the recycled PET label are made using “eco-care” polyester yarns from recycled PET bottles. This process means saving of resources and environmental impacts.49 % POLYESTER ARTICLES ARE MADE OF RECYCLED PET.
49 %
The cultivation of organic cotton is done entirely without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The use of genetically modified seeds is banned. Organic cotton is cultivated in rotation with other crops and is ferti-lized with manure and compost, which preserve and even increase the soil’s fertility.31 % COTTON ARTICLES ARE MADE OF ORGANIC COTTON
31 %
Each customer should be able to find out where the product he is buying comes from. For this purpose, a traceability label with a traceability code has been sewn into each Switcher garment since 2006. www.respect-code.org allows each customer to find out the supply chain, certificates and audits for each stage, environmental and social measures put in place and the existing labels.100 % OF THE ARTICLES ARE TRACEABLE
Independent and non-profit organisation managed by umbrella textile organisations NGO’s and trade unions. Fair Wear Foundation works with compa-nies and factories to improve labour conditions for garment workers. Switcher has been member since 2006. www.fairwear.org96 % OF THE ARTICLES WERE COVERED BY FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION RULES IN 2013
96 %
Switcher contributes its own way to reindustrialise Europe taking advantage of the European produc-tions’ assets: proximity, experience and size of the production units, which are better adapted to its demand. In 2012, 40 % of the production came from Europe. 63 % OF PURCHASED ARTICLES WERE MANUFAC-TURED IN EUROPE IN 2013.
63 %
100 %
Oeko-Tex standard 100 is a standardized worldwide testing and certification system for textile products at all stages of processing. REACh is a mandatory European regulation for restriction of chemicals since 2007.100 % OF THE ARTICLES ARE CERTIFIED OEKOTEX100 & REACH CONFORM
100 %
100 %
2011 BOB II NEW! t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.7 408 A++
2057 GAIAVI t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.7 419 A++
2187 BAOLINO t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.4 366 A++
2220 LADY GAIA t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.6 394 A++
2222 GAIA t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.8 422 A++
2850 SALLY t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.7 416 A++
2855 EFIA t-shirts X X X X X X X X 2.8 428 A++
2010 MURIEL t-shirts X X X X X X X 1.8 339 A+
2166 HELEN t-shirts X X X X X X X 2.0 385 A+
2276 GIORGIA t-shirts X X X X X X X 2.0 381 A+
2610 LILIANE t-shirts X X X X X X X 3.0 435 A+
2766 ANNE t-shirts X X X X X X X 2.8 527 A+
2001 BOB t-shirts X X X X X X 4.7 929 A
2003 VICTOR t-shirts X X X X X X 4.4 880 A
2531 RILEY t-shirts X X X X X 3.7 446 B
204 Whale t-shirts X X X X 2.1 412 C
2004 Whale t-shirts X X X X 4.1 811 C
2034 Whale t-shirts X X X X 3.0 597 C
2164 Whale NEW! t-shirts X X X X 4.0 787 C
2214 Whale NEW! t-shirts X X X X 4.1 811 C
2224 Whale t-shirts X X X X 2.9 573 C
2374 Whale t-shirts X X X X 4.1 807 C
4012 ALOE NEW! poloshirts X X X X X X X X 2.8 430 A++
4020 HARRY II NEW! poloshirts X X X X X X X X 5.1 774 A++
4030 STACY poloshirts X X X X X X X X 4.4 835 A++
4911 JOHN poloshirts X X X X X X X X 5.1 785 A++
4000 SAMUEL poloshirts X X X X X X 6.3 1264 A
4114 Whale poloshirts X X X X 5.8 1155 C
4214 Whale poloshirts X X X X 5.3 1054 C
4314 Whale poloshirts X X X X 4.5 892 C
6160 STAN shirts X X X X X X 8.9 1339 A
6165 STEEVE shirts X X X X X X 7.0 1049 A
6124 Whale shirts X X X X 7.0 578 C
6134 Whale shirts X X X X 8.3 688 C
6036 MIA sweatshirts X X X X X X X X 7.2 1053 A++
6094 BRUCE sweatshirts X X X X X X X 6.3 967 A+
6141 LILLY sweatshirts X X X X X X X 9.8 1298 A+
1005 OSLO sweatshirts X X X X X X 9.9 1457 A
1006 STOCKHOLM sweatshirts X X X X X X 8.8 1291 A
1022 OHIO sweatshirts X X X X X X 12.7 1879 A
1500 LONDON sweatshirts X X X X X X 9.5 1402 A
1501 LADY LONDON NEW! sweatshirts X X X X X X 9.5 1402 A
6041 BROADWAY sweatshirts X X X X X X 12.0 1575 A
6068 DALLAS NEW! sweatshirts X X X X X X 8.4 930 A
6170 SANTA CRUZ sweatshirts X X X X X X 12.3 1806 A
6300 MIAMI sweatshirts X X X X X X 13.0 1919 A
1444 Whale sweatshirts X X X X 8.5 1165 C
3006 CANDICE sweatpants X X X X X X X X 6.3 921 A++
3007 CONNY sweatpants X X X X X X X X 5.5 1051 A++
3041 HARLEM sweatpants X X X X X X X 8.4 1109 A+
3094 PERRY sweatpants X X X X X X X 4.9 647 A+
3002 VICO sweatpants X X X X X X 9.3 1367 A
3327 DENVER sweatpants X X X X X X 8.0 895 A
3500 BRYAN sweatpants X X X X X X 7.2 993 A
8208 DAYTONA sweatpants X X X X X 5.9 662 B
6182 OZIEL polarfleece X X X X 18 6.9 81 B
6024 Whale NEW! polarfleece X X X X 7.1 106 C
6026 HELSINKI polarfleece X X X X 5.0 76 C
6030 MONTREAL polarfleece X X X X 7.0 105 C
6080 CORTINA polarfleece X X X X 8.3 125 C
6144 Whale NEW! polarfleece X X X X 10.6 158 C
6180 VANCOUVER polarfleece X X X X 11.0 165 C
6210 VESUVE polarfleece X X X X 5.8 88 C
7058 ANDERMATT softshells X X X X 61 9.8 100 B
7068 AVORIAZ softshells X X X X 60 9.3 94 B
7088 LENK softshells X X X X 43 6.4 65 B
7238 WEISSHORN softshells X X X X 68 10.5 107 B
7338 COMBIN softshells X X X X 74 11.3 114 B
7227 TELLIERS hardshells X X X X 11.2 169 C
7639 BROMO hardshells X X X X 13.3 200 C
644 CHURCHILL caps X X X X X 2.1 416 B
662 KENNEDY caps X X X X X 1.6 311 B
PR
OF
ILE
1312
1.9 — NEW PRODUCTS 2014 1.10 — HUMAN RESOURCES
The clothing industry is based primarily on labour-intensive production. Switcher undertakes to ensure a constant improvement in the living and working conditions of the production-chain workers producing all the products marketed as well as of the employees of the administrative office located in Le Mont-sur-Lausanne.
All employee data only applies to Switcher SA.
Social and family benefits
Each employee goes through a yearly performance review with goal setting.
Total Workforce by employment contract
EMPLOYEES TYPE OF CONTRACT FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT
74 Open-ended contracts 70.8
2 Apprentice 2.0
76 72.8
One apprentice comes from the Repuis Institution, a specialised vocational-training centre which takes girls and boys, released from their compulsory education to undergo vocational and social training.
STAFF DATA
2APPRENTICES
› Women benefit from a 16 week
maternity leave
› Monthly payment of CHF 160.– as a
contribution to private health insurance.
› Five weeks holidays
› Accident insurance in private division
› Switcher covers 60% of the professionnal provisions premium for employees
› Paternity leave of one week
› Employees may buy ten Switcher
articles at preferential rates every
month.
› One extra week holiday for employees celebrating jubilees
› Significant discounts at a local fitness center
› Sitting massages twice a year
› Free-of-charge vaccination against the flu
6068 DALLAS 50% cotton 50% polyester
4020 HARRY II 100% BIO cotton
6024 POLARFLEECE WALE 100% polyester
6144 POLARFLEECE WHALE 100% polyester
GEELEE UNISEX 85% BIO cotton 15% polyester
GEELEE SHORT 85% BIO cotton 15% polyester
2214 T-SHIRT WALE 100% cotton
2011 BOB II 100% BIO cotton
2164 T-SHIRT WALE 100% cotton
1501 LADY LONDON 70% cotton 30% polyester
4012 ALOE 100% BIO cotton
PR
OF
ILE
1514
Employee turnover (Dismissals, Voluntary Redundancy, Retirement or Death). › 21 people left the company in 2013. › 28 people joined it.
Source: Computerized management of absences and attendance time
Local hiring procedure Switcher does not currently apply a recruitment policy directed towards hiring local salaried employees. However, the company shows open-mindedness by welcoming new employees from various countries.
37.4YEARSaverage age of the staff
5.6YEARSaverage seniority
ACCIDENTS, SICK LEAVE AND ABSENTEEISM
› Number of outside contributors to on-site safety : None
› Absenteeism average rate : 5 %
› Lost days: 1102 work days
› Accident : 0.58 %
› Accidents at work : 5
› Minor accident : None
› Illness < 3 days : 0.89 %
Illness > 3 days : 3.56 %
Maternity : 1.56 %
› Occupational illness : None
› Number of death : None
EMPLOYEES BY NATIONALITY
Switzerland 47
Portugal 10
France 4
Italy 4
Belgium 1
Spain 2
Eritrea 1
Brazil 1
Mexico 1
Chile 1
India 1
Macedonia 1
Kosovo 1
Poland 1
Total 76
Employees by Category, Gender and age
CATEGORY TOTAL< 30
YEARS31-50
YEARS> 50
YEARS WOMEN MEN
Apprentices 2 2 2
Administrative 15 8 5 2 10 5
Chairman 1 1 1
Commercial staff 8 1 6 1 1 7
Logistics 17 6 7 4 4 13
Management 17 1 14 2 7 10
Salesforce in pos 16 6 8 2 12 4
TOTAL 76 24 40 12 34 42
The objective of health promotion in the company is to prevent the risk of illnesses in the company (including illnesses linked to working conditions, accidents and stress) and to improve the health and well-being of individuals.
The HR manager took part in all evaluative discussions with staff members. This procedure allowed the discovery of any disfunction which might exist in the different departments. Corrective actions were put into place with those responsible. A new staff handbook including the Ethical Charter forms an integral part of every employment contract.
Switcher is taking part in a project with La Vaudoise Assurances and ISMAT in order to analyse the social climate in the firm. Around thirty discussions with staff members and managers will take place on the topic of “recognition, respect, social support and the work/life balance”. Managers will then be trained to enable them to respond with greater professionalism to the different situations which may occur within the company.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2013
PROJECTS 2014
Lowest gross salary – at company HQ: CHF 4260.- (100% employment)Lowest gross salary – in sales outlets belonging to Switcher: CHF 4000 .- (100% employment).
16
Nature of ownership Private capital
Legal form Limited liability company
CHF
Group’s net turnover 32'321'044
Operational costs
Costs related to staff -7'244'129
Operational costs and amortizing -7'541'594
Total assets 41'152'266
CSR Costs 384’820
Retained earnings No allocation to the reserve as maximum already reached in accordance with CO 671 0
Payments to capital No dividend was distributed providers in any way 0
GO
VE
RN
AN
CE
1.11 — ECONOMIC DATA
›Profile 3Governance 17Traceability 21Social issues 27Environment 33Conclusions 39
GO
VE
RN
AN
CE
1918
2007 Creation of a collection of 500,000 CO
2-neutral t-shirts.
Life cycle analysis (LCA) of Switcher’s activities and products.
2006Launch of the respect-code.
org traceability website.
Membership of the Fair Wear Foundation,first Swiss
member.
2008First collection made of recycled PET.
First in the Fair Fashion Schweizer Modefirmen ranking published by Clean Clothes / Bern Declaration.
2009Partial CO
2
compensation for packages and transport
Water footprint at the supply-chain level in India.
2010Ethical charter forms an integral part of the contract of employment.
Switcher SA becomes a SEDEX member (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange)
Given Pioneer status in the “Ethical fashion-shoppers’ Guide”, published by Clean Clothes / Bern Declaration.
2012Increased production in Europe.
First company to assess clothing manufacturers by Clean Clothes Campaign/Déclaration de Berne.
Recognition of the Switcher Foundation’s T-School project as an activity of the world decade for ESD by the Swiss Commission for UNESCO.
20131st partner of the new Max Havelaar Fairtrade Cotton programme.
Over 60% of purchasing within Europe.
Signature of the “Fire and Building Safety” agreement alongside 90 brands and two union organizations.
Establishment of Fair Wear Foundation, a solidarity fund for workers in a factory in Bangladesh.
www.respect-code.org : 32 million traceability labels attached since 2006.
New environmental labelling informs consumers of CO2 impact and water footprint measured.
201130 years of Switcher.
Mobility plan for all employees.
Every factory is member of SEDEX.
Launch of the GAIA, organic cotton & Max Havelaar T-shirt.
GOTS Certification
1981Robin Cornelius launches the founding idea of Switcher’s basic concept: comfortable, coloured, plain products, with no slogans. On September 1, he creates the company, with a a first collection that includes two models only: a t-shirt and a sweatshirt.
1991Social and ecological awareness increases at a turning point in history, when the Paris conference officially ends the Cold War. This leads to a re-markable acceleration of the globalisation process and a new – and strong – wave of relocation to developing countries, with all that is implied in terms of unfair and difficult working conditions.
1997“CSR” department created within the Company.
1998Elaboration of the Switcher Code of Conduct for its textile product suppliers.
2003Publication of the first Switcher report on Corporate social responsibility.
2005Switcher launches the first Max Havelaar fair-trade t-shirt.
First edition of the Compliance Days, bringing together all the suppliers from Switcher SA.
Robin Cornelius receives the entrepre-neur of the Year award presented by Ernst & Young.
2002Corporate Conscience Award presented by the Council on Economic Priorities Accreditation Agency (CEPAA).
2004Pioneer Sam award presented by Sustainable asset Management (SAM).
Creation of the Switcher Foundation.
2.1 — SIGNIFICANT CSR STAGES * (* Corporate Social Responsibility)
20
TR
AC
EA
BIL
ITY
›
In 2013, Switcher has again consolidated its position as a pioneer in sustainable development, despite a fragile economic climate and budgetary restrictions. These achievements confirm that innovation and creativity combined with managerial decisiveness have enabled the company to overcome restricted financial means. We start 2014 with continuingly ambitious goals and with zero complacency regarding past success stories.
Gilles Dana, social responsibility of the company, Switcher
Major achievements in 2013 see pages
› Significant increase in European production 11, 22, 23 › Partnership with Max Havelaar for 5 years 10, 11, 29 › Signature of the “Accord on“ 19, 20 › Implementation of the solidarity fund " 1% FOB " 30 › Information of suppliers' salary scales 31 › Switcher index 10, 11 › New environmental labelling 35
The "ACCORD on fire is buliding safety" is designed to promote job security in Bangladeshi textile factories. It includes independent safety inspections in the factories as well as a public report of the ensuing results.
If security problems are discovered, the undersigned brands working with the factory in question commit to guarantee the cost of repairs and to ensure that workers' salaries continue to be paid.
The ACCORD is legally binding. It has been signed by more than 100 brands in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Two trades unions representing global commerce, IndustriAll and UniGlobal, together with several NGO's bear witness to the Agreement. The Internation Labour Organisation (ILO) ensures its independent presidency. www.bangladeshaccord.org
2.2 — CSR INNOVATIONS IN 2013 (social responsibility of the company)
2.3 — THE ACCORD
15MAY2013Switcher signed The ACCORD
Profile 3Governance 17Traceability 21Social issues 27Environment 33Conclusions 39
TR
AC
EA
BIL
ITY
2322
3.1 — FACTORIES PRODUCING FOR SWITCHER 3.5 MIO PIECES PURCHASED IN 2013
SEA
ROAD
RAIL
Country
Portugal
Turkey
China
Roumania
India
Taiwan
Bangladesh *
44.0 %
3.4 %
16.1 %
19.5 %
3.7 %
1.1 %
12.2%
Purchase (value)
1’671’301
76’032
335’081
317’017
84’833
43’224
* only for WHALE brand & for “ private labels “
939’557
Pieces
2013 : back to Europe
2013 : remaining loyal to our suppliers
2013 : being of value to suppliers2013 : maintaining close-knit relationships11
1
6
1
2
1
2
Manufactures
1981
2007
2000
2008
1981
2009
2009
Relationship since
63 % Europe
Switcher purchases over 10% of the ca-
pacity of each factory for two thirds of its
purchases.
30 % of purchases in 2013 were from factories not visited by Switcher
37 % Asia
Switcher purchases less than 10% of the
capacity of each factory for one third
of its purchases.
70 % of purchases in 2013 were from factories visited
by Switcher
18 % in relation for less than 2 years
70 % in relation for over 5 years
12 % in relation for 2 to 5
years
TR
AC
EA
BIL
ITY
2524
3.3 — RESPECT-CODE
Transparency is one of the key values of Switcher’s philosophy. Each customer should be able to find out where the product he is buying comes from. To this end, Switcher has put in place a traceability tool informing the consumer of every production stage, from raw materials to its distribution in Europe.
Aims
› To encourage a respectful and sustainable partnership with operators in these chains in order to create new values such as reliability and shared vision.
› To offer transparency to potential buyers and inform them of all of the operations, checks and implementations applied at every stage in the process.
For each production batch, the person in charge of traceability is responsible for the manufacturing chain; he checks the exact origin of the raw materials, the identity of factories in charge of each process, and passes on the up-to-date environmental and social certificates available for each factory of the relevant chain. He indicates the modes of transport used, shipping dates and volume of each batch.
At Switcher’s, a permanent verification of the chains and batches is ensured by the direct contracts and by an audit plan intended for the most critical factories and those handling greater volumes of articles. This work is completed with the collecting of audit data, the ongoing training of persons locally in charge of traceability and by the analysis of the received data.
APPLICATION IN THE SUPPLY CHAINS
Find all steps of the production of a Switcher product on www.respect-code.org
Switcher enjoys close relationships with its suppliers and favours long-term partnerships, thus avoiding supplying tourism. The company carries out work graded over time that enables suppliers to improve their social and environmental performances. This “step-by-step” policy avoids leaving behind a supplier whose working conditions are not satisfactory, but who nevertheless seeks improvement.
Nb Manufactures
Purchased articles in
2013
CountryPurchase
(value)Relation
since Oe
ko
tex10
0 &
RE
AC
H
GO
TS
Co
de
of
con
du
ct
sig
ne
d b
y t
he
su
pp
lie
r
SE
DE
X M
em
be
r
Sw
itch
er
bu
ys
ove
r 10
% o
f th
e c
ap
acit
y
of
the
su
pp
lie
r
Sw
itch
er
vis
ite
d t
he
su
pp
lie
r in
20
13
Ind
ep
en
dan
t au
dit
in
20
13
Mad
e in
Eu
rop
e
1 ETFOR 790'862 Portugal 23.5% 2006 • • • • • • • •2 FILOBRANCA EE 317'017 Roumania 19.5% 2008 • • • • • • •3 BASSINGTON 117'635 China 10.5% 2004 • • • • •4 AKH (+ / -) 698'304 Bangladesh 8.5% 2013 • • • • •5 GUADALUPE 335'548 Portugal 7.0% 2002 • • • • • •6 SIENA 215'511 Portugal 4.2% 2012 • • • •7 WONDERFUL 99'946 China 3.7% 2000 • • • •8 KAROONI (+) 241'253 Bangladesh 3.7% 2013 • • • • •9 TEXTILIUM TEKSTIL 76'032 Turkey 3.3% 2011 • • • •10 R.LOBO (+) 144'007 Portugal 2.7% 2013 • • • • • •11 MANDHANA 39'533 India 2.3% 2002 • • • •12 BECRI 50'356 Portugal 2.2% 2011 • • • • • •13 POCARGIL 54'418 Portugal 2.1% 2007 • • • •14 SENTHIL VELAVAN 45'300 India 1.4% 2012 • • • •15 YUAN TAI 43'224 Taiwan 1.1% 2009 • • •16 AMARAL (+) 31'084 Portugal 0.9% 2013 • • • • •17 ZHONGSHAN REGENCY (+/-) 7'800 China 0.7% 2013 • • •18 JADIFEX (+) 38'833 Portugal 0.7% 2013 • • • • •19 GREATWAY 80'800 China 0.6% 2008 • • •20 WELON (+) 24'000 China 0.5% 2013 • • •21 ANJOS LOURENCO 5'808 Portugal 0.5% 2010 • • • • •22 BARATA GARCIA 2'099 Portugal 0.2% 2012 • • • • •23 SUNNY WAY (+/-) 4'900 China 0.1% 2013 • • •24 FILOBRANCA 1'916 Portugal 0.1% 1981 • • • • • •
TOTAL 3’466’186 100.0%
3.2 — TEXTILE SUPPLIERS
(+) 8 new suppliers in 2013 (-) end of business relationships with 3 suppliers in 2013
5.7YEARS average length of business relationships
1Rawmaterial
2Spinning
3Knitting
4Dyeing
5Manufacturing
6Transport
7Distribution
26
SO
CIA
L
›
www.respect-code.org is the first independent site enabling transparency and information regarding the traceability of consumer goods. Switcher has been using its services since 2006.
www.respect-code.org offers an overview of each stage (source of raw materials, processing factories, transport and distribution). At each stage, independent audits and social and environmental certifications are displayed.
www.respect-code.org publishes the certificates of factories involved in production lines used by Switcher SA. Below are three examples taken from suppliers' profiles: Oekotex100, GOTS et SA8000
Profile 3Governance 17Traceability 21Social issues 27Environment 33Conclusions 39
www.respect-code.org considers that a production batch is a homogenous collection of products passing through a defined production line at a given moment.
SO
CIA
L
2928
1 MISSION OF FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION The supplier's directors are informed by Switcher of the latter's partnership with Fair Wear Foundation and of its mission: “to improve working conditions in textile manufacture”. Internal information communicated to managers and the workforce is an obligation for each supplier and voluntary adhesion to Fair Wear Foundation is recommended.
2 CODE OF CONDUCT Drawn up by the Fair Wear Foundation, this is based on the 8 main articles of the ILO (International Labour Office) and is signed by each supplier. The code of conduct must be displayed visibly in each factory, written in the local language.
3 SOCIAL AUDIT Each supplier organizes an annual social audit carried out by a specialized, independent and recognized auditing company.
4 SELF-DECLARATION OF SALARIES In conformity with the Conduct Code, the supplier must be able to prove at any time that all salaries paid to workers are above the “living wage” established by the salary scales published by Fair Wear Foundation. The supplier accepts that the annual salary statistics communicated to Switcher (minimum, median and maximum salaries depending on the specialisation concerned) are verified during independent audits.
5 SUB-CONTRACTING The supplier must obtain prior permission from Switcher before the use of services of a sub-contractor is implemented. If approval is obtained from Switcher, the supplier will have to ensure that the sub-contractor conforms to the minimal requirements.
6 TRACEABILITY For each model the supplier undertakes to identify and communicate each step of the production chain (fibres, spinning, knitting-weaving, dyeing).
7 TRACEABILITY LABEL Each article delivered includes a sewn-on label with the traceability code of the production batch.
8 OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. A valid certificate is required of each supplier; this certificate is to be renewed annually.
9 REACh (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals). This European standard is obligatory for each article delivered. The signed self-declaration is to be renewed annually.
10 SEDEX Each supplier must become a member of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), a non-profit organisation dedicated to the management of social improvements in each factory.
11 ANNUAL QUESTIONNAIRE Each supplier must complete the SEDEX conformity questionnaire every year. Each unsatisfactory reply is the starting point of a corrective action followed up by Switcher.
12* ORGANIC COTTON For its models in organic cotton, Switcher requires independent proof from the supplier confirming the source of the organic cotton used.
13* FAIR TRADE COTTON For models in Fair Trade cotton (Max Havelaar), Switcher requires independent and reliable proof of the Fair Trade cotton used from the supplier.
14* RECYCLED PET For models containing recycled PET, Switcher requires independent proof of the source of the material used from the supplier.
15* GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) For models corresponding to the GOTS standard, each stage of the production chain must present a valid GOTS certificate.
* obligation for the supplier, according to product typology
4.1 — MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH NEW TEXTILE SUPPLIER
(cutting and assembly factories)
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independant non-profit organization, managed by 'umbrella' textile groups, NGO's and trades unions.
The 80 members of FWF represent over 120 brands distributed by 20'000 outlets in some 80 countries. FWF is active in 15 production countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. Its unique mission is to improve working conditions in garment manufacturing factories.
FWF undertakes an annual audit of each brand (brand performance check) which enables FWF not only to orientate the projects of each member but also to share its social expertise and to measure the improvements implemented.
The major principles of governance established by FWF are:
› Responsability for the supply chain by each brand› The application of ILO (International Labour Organization) standards
and the UN Declaration of Human Rights› Transparency: the publication of the activities and results of each brand
Switcher : www.fairwear.org/528/company/switcher_sa/?companyId=88
The Max Havelaar Fairtrade Cotton Programme enables small-scale farmers to sell more cotton under Fairtrade conditions.
Fairtrade allows these farmers to obtain a guaranteed minimum price for the cotton they produce and to take advantage of a complementary subsidy for the financing of social and community projects (schools, medical aid, drinking water...). To find out more about the Fairtrade Cotton Programme: www.maxhavelaar.ch/program
Switcher became the first Swiss partner of this programme on 1st January 2014. This is a commitment to purchase Fairtrade cotton as 20% of its total cotton consumption. The objective shared with Fairtrade Max Havelaar is to progressively reach a proportion of 35% within 5 years.
4.2 — PARTNERS
FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION
MAX HAVELAAR
96% OF THE VOLUMEcome from factories checked by a third party or from European countries (minimum threshold : 90%)
20% OF THE VOLUME of cotton purchased by Switcher in 2014 will be Fairtrade.
Switcher first Swiss member since 2006
This programme concerns 77% of Switcher's range
(models containing cotton)
SO
CIA
L
3130
4.4 — WAGES VERIFICATION4.3 — SOCIAL PROGRAMMES
How can a small Swiss company contribute to the increase in salary of the entire workforce of a factory in Bangladesh?
The 1%FOB project, in place since March 2013, is a response to this question. Conceived by Switcher, the first annual allocation to workers will take place in June 2014 under the technical responsibility of Fair Wear Foundation. Project genesis and procedure:
Switcher 's Board has voluntarily included an amount representing 1% of the FOB price for each item purchased. The total cumulative volume of this percentage over one year will be paid out to the entire workforce of this factory, regardless of whether they are actually involved in the manufacture of garments for Switcher. This implies no increase in price for Switcher's customers.
When this allocation takes place, Switcher will endeavour to persuade other customers of the factory concerned to join the fund in order to significantly increase the following annual distribution.
This direct and total transfer of only 1% of the price paid by a European brand to the workforce of a factory in Bangladesh would more or less double salaries there if it was adopted by all the customers of this particular supplier.
9 INDEPENDENT AUDITS at the premisesof Switcher suppliers
AUDITS
SOLIDARITY FUND 1%FOB
WORKER TRAINING In partnership with the Fair Wear Foundation, Switcher undertakes to organize social education workshops in the factories, for workers and managers. These programmes aim to raise social awareness, to prevent violence (the majority of the workers are women), to introduce complaints procedures and to improve channels of communication within the factory.
The main steps of an audit are:
› Announced audit and initial meeting with the factory’s management.› full tour of the factory.› discussion with staff chosen at random, without management present;
discussion with workers’ representatives when applicable.› inspection of documents such as staff files, remuneration system,
contribution to social security.› conclusion meeting with the factory’s management and handing over of
corrective action plans.› Suivi permanent par Switcher de la mise en oeuvre des actions
correctrices.
In August 2013, Switcher carried out its first enquiry into the monthly salaries actually paid by each of its 24 suppliers for standard working hours according to the legislation of each country.
The replies received concern minimum, maximum and median values for each work specialization (cutting, sewing, assistance, ironing, checking, packing).
These self-declarations are to be validated by an audit in 2014. Before comparing these effective salaries, not only has their pertinence to be checked but eventual salary-linked contributions : meal tickets, transport costs need to be added.
This final information will allow a comparison with the salary scales in each country as established by Fair Wear Foundation at several levels: poverty line, average salary, legal minimum salary, salary recommended by local trades unions, etc..
The following table is a summary of answers received in terms of average monthly salary per country.
MONTHLY SALARY OF A SEAM-STRESS
Percentage of women
Standard working hours per week
Minimum monthly salary
Maximum monthly salary (CHF)
Median monthly salary (CHF)
Portugal 100% 40 (CHF) 640 593
Rumania 99% 40 593 325 244
Turkey 67% 42 217 470 444
China 78% 40 315 469 330
India 95% 48 208 128 85
Bangladesh 65% 48 70 84 75
Manufacturers' identities known to Switcher – exchange rate as of 30.01.2014
SWITCHER HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF SEDEX SINCE 2011.
Sedex, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange, is a not for profit membership organisation dedicated to driving improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains.
All Switcher partners must become members of SEDEX.
All audits carried out in factories are stored in the SEDEX database in order to facilitate their access.
The information obtained from this initial enquiry is to be developed during 2014. All salaries paid are above the local regional minimum wage. Subsistance salaries have already been achieved in certain cases and remain an objective in others. To this end, the solidarity fund has already been put into place by Switcher. The outcomes of this first stage will be made available during the second term of 2014.
SEDEX
32
4.5 — FONDATION SWITCHER
AMONG OUR PROJECTS
EN
VIR
ON
NE
ME
NT
›
Profile 3Governance 17Traceability 21Social issues 27Environment 33Conclusions 39
Our commitment to children and young people, in Switzerland and throughout the world.
Switcher makes a clear distinction between its core-business social responsibility, i.e. working and production conditions in relation to its commercial activities, and the support which it provides to the community in terms of voluntary contributions. Switcher created its own foundation for this purpose in 2004. The Switcher Foundation is active in the areas of childcare, education and training, and designs, implements and finances public utility projects within the scope of its vision of sustainable development.
Education — the Switcher Foundation is convinced that social progress is realized through training and education, not only in developing countries but also in Switzerland.
Internationally — the Foundation is committed to prioritizing the number of underprivileged children in full-time education and to ensuring that they complete the educational programme.
Switzerland — it invests in pedagogical projects which aim to train young people in sustainable development and human rights.
Transparency – each euro given by the general public is attributed to a project, with Switcher SA covering the majority of administrative costs. The Foundation is apolitical and non-demoninational and is recognized as being of public interest. It comes under the jurisdiction of the Federal Department for Home Affairs.
SWITZERLAND — T-SCHOOL PROJECT An educational project on the topic of clothes, creating awareness of diverse social and ecological aspects of a textile production line. This project has been recognized by Unesco as an “Activity of the Decade for Education in Sustainable Development” www.t-schoolproject.com
BURKINA FASO — DRAW ME A SCHOOL Promoting pre-school education in rural areas by setting up nursery schools run by the local population. Each year, 150 children benefit from a learning-rich environment while their mothers work in the fields.
INDIA — SWITCHER PREM SCHOOLS For over 15 years, Switcher Prem schools provide free education to needy children in the Tirupur area. At present, 500 children attend our schools, studying from pre-school to secondary levels.
Discover all the Switcher Foundation’s activities: www.fondationswitcher.org
EN
VIR
ON
NE
ME
NT
3534
COTTON & BIO COTTON
POLYESTER & RECYCLED POLYESTER
For over 15 years, Switcher has paid daily attention to the impacts of its business in terms of life cycle, CO
2, water, offsetting, reducing, transport
and raw materials.
Cotton plants are a species of shrubs native to India, cultivated in many hot countries for the natural fibres that surround the mature seed. The use of cotton is very ancient, remains of fabric dating 3000 BC having been found in India.
Polyester is the most produced synthetic fiber in the world (abbreviation: PET or PES), made from refined petrol. Its two main uses are clothing and bottles. Recycled polyester is made from the collected PET bottles.
The recycling process:
Knowing the volume of water is the basis for making changes and reduces consumption. Switcher measures the water used throughout the supply chain of its products since 2009.
The new Switcher label informs each consumer of CO
2 impacts
and the water footprint generated by the model in question. Such environmental labelling is a pioneer action by Switcher. This information cannot yet be compared with other brands; it helps to create consumer awareness and to promote responsible purchasing choices.
5.1 — COTTON & POLYESTER 5.2 — CO2, H
2O & LCA
Switcher has been demonstrating its civic responsibility for over 10 years by measuring and publishing the impacts of each design, putting reduction solutions into practice and offsetting some of the CO
2 emitted.
CO2 OFFSETTING TONS OF CO
2
ProClima packages in partnership with Postlogistics 65
Containers, in partnership with Kuhne + Nagel 21
Sales staff's vehicles in partnership with Citroën 47
Mobility plan for visitors 2
Total CO2 offset (tons) 135
Offsetting partner: myclimate, Zurich. 31% OF COTTON ARTICLESmade of organic cotton
3.7 m2 of cotton field
4 PET bottles
1 cotton T-shirt
1 PET T-shirt
1.13 kg raw cotton
0.25 kg of cotton thread
0,13 kgof PET thread
spinning, dyeing, cutting,
assembly
FROM COTTON / PET TO T-SHIRT
ENVIRONMENTAL LABELLING
‹›
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS The life cycle analysis covers the entire life of a garment. It includes the production of raw materials (cotton, synthetic fibres), their transport to the place where they are transformed (spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing as well as cutting, stitching and finishing).
1 Locally collected PET bottles
2 PET bottles flakes
3 Recycling of polyester chips
4 Filament thread
5 Fabric for manufacturing clothing
49% OF POLYESTER ARTICLES are in recycled PET
EN
VIR
ON
NE
ME
NT
3736
At the Mont-sur-Lausanne site, Switcher set up 11 indicators in 2009 which it promised to monitor in order to determine its environmental footprint. The functional unit selected is the sale of 1,000 articles.
5.3 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Environmental impacts in Le Mont-sur-Lausanne for each item of 1,000 articles sold in 2013
offsetCO2
32 kg Shipment940 pieces bysea/land
60 pieces byair
Mobility36 km air
Paper0,6 kg
Cardboard13 kg
Mobility215 km car,
publictransport
Electricity226 kWh
Expedition26 parcels
Water123 liters
Worksurface
area1,8 m2
Waste26 kg
1000pieces
PARCEL AND SHIPMENT
Road transportation alone is allowed for European suppliers. Marine traffic (Asia) must be loaded onto the rail network when it arrives at European ports.
ARRIVALS ARTICLES
Sea / land 3'251'136
Air 215'050
Total 3'466'186
ARRIVAL/ 1000 ARTICLES
940 by sea / land
60 by air
PARCEL SHIPMENT PACKAGES
To Switzerland, by PostLogistics 73'835
To Switzerland, by Camion Transport SA 24'900
To international destinations, by DHL 8'684
Total 107'419
PARCEL / 1000 articles sold
26
CARDBOARD CONSUMPTION
KG
Total 54'025
KG / 1000 articles sold 13
RECYCLING KG
cardboard and paper 79'120
waste to be incinerated 1'380
various sorted waste 27'640
Total 108'140
KG / 1000 articles sold 26
PAPER CONSUMPTION
KG
Total 2'338
KG / 1000 articles sold 0.6
The selective sorting of waste is an efficient measure for the recycling and economically justified valorisation of materials. Switcher encourages waste collecting by making it more convenient, as it is done directly at the employees’ workplace.
PAPER, CARDBOARD & WASTE
Quantis is a spin-off of the laboratories of two major engineering schools (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne [Lausanne Federal Polytechnic School] and École Polytechnique de Montréal [Montréal Polytechnic School]), Quantis benefits from the best life cycle analysis experts, at the same time as maintaining close links with university research. Quantis is one of the worldwide leaders in LCA. Switcher has been working with Quantis since 2006.
A Swiss initiative which boasts more than 400 companies today, Öbu has set itself the task of promoting the development of the Swiss economy according to sustainable principles. Öbu develops tools for its members and also provides them with experience‐sharing platforms and sessions. Switcher is a member of Öbu since 2008.
Switcher was the first partner of Kühne and Nagel (1st January 2010) for shared compensation of CO
2 effects caused by all containers transported
from India to Switzerland.
ENERGIE & RESOURCES
The photovoltaic solar panels (installed in 2002 on the roof of the Switcher building) by Edisun Power, the City of Lausanne and Switcher produced 24’582 KWH in 2013, an equivalent to the annual energy consumption of eight Swiss households.
WATER CONSUMPTION
LITER
Total 516'000
Liter / 1000 articles sold
123
WORK SURFACEAREA
M2
Administrative surface area 1'200
Storage surface area 6'500
Total 7'700
M2 / 1000 articles sold 1.8
ENERGY kWH
Electrical consumption 216'463
Gas consumption (heating) 731'698
Total 948'161
kWh / 1000 articles sold 226
38
CO
NC
LU
SIO
NS
›
5.4 — MOBILITY
Commuting 2013
In 2010, Switcher launched a visitors’ mobility plan on the Mont site. On arriving at reception, each visitor announces his or her means of transport and starting point; carpooling and travel by public transport are rewarded by a voucher to buy in a Switcher shop. The CO
2 impact of private vehicle
travel is automatically compensated, either by the visitor or by Switcher. Each visitor is given an awareness card. The mobility plan also includes the fleet of vehicles (energy cat. A) and offsetting all business trips by air.
Since 2011, employees have been included in the mobility plan:
› fee-charging for parking space› free parking space for car pooling › compensation offered to employees using public transport or soft
mobility› compensation offered for any use of public transport within employees’
family circles and for their private trips
MOBILITY 2013PRIVATE
VEHICLES CARSHARINGPUBLIC
TRANSPORT FLIGHT TOTAL
Commuting trips 258'000 14'000 68'000 340'000
Visits to customers 472'000 472'000
Management cars 59'000 59'000
Utility vehicles 32'000 32'000
Business trips by air 151'000 151'000
Total 821'000 14'000 68'000 151'000 1’054’000
Indicator km / 1000 articles sold 215 by car & public transport
36 by air
Private vehicles 76 %
Public transport 20 %
Carsharing 4 %
340'000km
in 2013
Profile 3Governance 17Traceability 21Social issues 27Environment 33Conclusions 39
CO
NC
LU
SIO
NS
4140
6.1 — EVOLUTION OF INDICATORS 2011-2013
IN PROGRESS STABILITY DETERIORATION
INDICATORS 2011 2012 2013EVOLUTION 2012 › 2013
Production steps 6 6 7
Manufactures 21 24 24
Audits 3 10 9
% articles sold with Max Havelaar label 4.8% 14.2% 20%
Apprentices / trainees 5 4 2
% articles produced in Europe 14% 40% 63%
% articles sold in organic cotton 11% 28.4% 31%
% articles sold in PET recycled 13.9% 47.3% 49%
Sold pieces (million pieces) 4.3 3.9 4.2
Retail customers 400 617 721
Corporate customers 1105 1073 913
Employees 79 74 76
PER 1000 UNITS SOLD 2011 2012 2013EVOLUTION 2012 › 2013
Offsetting CO2 (kg) 214 119 32
Electrical consumption (KWH) 223 238 226
Water (L) 105 127 123
Work surface area (m2) 2.5 2.4 1.8
Parcels arrival by air 60 68 60
Parcels shipped 27 28 26
Mobility cars & Public transportation (km) 234 207 215
Business trips by air (km) 86 99 36
Paper consumption (kg) 0.7 1 0.6
Cardboard consumption (kg) 19 14 13
Waste (kg) 27 30 26
6.2 — 2014 COMMITMENTS
6.2 — 2013 COMMITMENTS
EMPLOYEES
› Management training in the analysis of social climate (project ISMAT – La Vaudoise)
› Work procedures, written, indexed and applied
ENVIRONNEMENT
› Proportion of bio cotton > 33%
SOCIAL
› Purchasing within Europe > 60%
› 1st allocation of a solidarity fund with the workers of a supplier in Bangladesh
› Proportion of Fairtrade Max Havelaar cotton > 24%
› Over 90% of purchases from audited suppliers or from those in low-risk countries
FONDATION SWITCHER
› Development of the YES programme, India
› Extension of School building in Tibin, Burkina Faso
EMPLOYEES
› Job procedures drawn up, listed and communicated.
› Satisfaction survey
GOVERNANCE
› Relaunch of Code of Conduct with all suppliers
› Organization of Compliance Days 2013
CLIENTS
› Improved deployment of RSE values among all clients
SUPPLIERS
› 90% of purchasing volume is covered either by an independent audit or comes
from a low-risk country.
› Volume of European purchases > 40%
ENVIRONMENT
› Proportion of Bio cotton > 30%
› Proportion of recycled PET > 40%
SOCIAL
› Creation of a solidarity fund for disadvantaged workers
ACHIEVED PARTLY ACHIEVED NON ACHIEVED
42
6.4 — INDEX GRI
The Global reporting Initiative (GRI) was established in 1997 with the mission
to create guidelines applicable worldwide in the area of sustainable development, and to create conditions for the reporting of economic, environmental and social performance, at first for companies. It offers benchmark indicators to measure the progress of sustainable development projects in companies.
In this report, Switcher has met the GRI C-level requirements. This shows that the information on the company and its social responsibilities is in accordance with the G3 GRI guidelines.
For the scope of this report, the company chose the spheres in which our influence is the greatest and so report about our own operations.
This report aims at providing a fair and balanced view of Switcher performances during the calendar year 2013 in the area of sustainable development, and endeavors to meet the main expectations of our stakeholders (shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, etc.).
The content of this report has been prepared using indicators chosen in order to take into consideration our activities’ impacts on the economy, social issues and the environment. The chosen indicators also take into consideration the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) recommendations.
This report covers the period from January 1 to December 31 2013. It is established on an annual basis and is available in PDF format in three languages on www.switcher.com.
PROJECT, TEXT AND DRAFTING Gilles Dana — [email protected] Schlittler — [email protected] Switcher SA, Petit-Flon 28,CH-1052 Le Mont-sur-Lausanne© Switcher SATRANSLATIONS AND CORRECTIONSRuth Rybi, Heather Turin GRAPHIC DESIGNYanis Carnal — [email protected] Roto Presse SA GenèveCH - 1214 Vernier PRINT RUN1400 copiesOTHER LANGUAGES AVAILABLEBericht 2013 (German)Report 2013 (English)Pocket versions availableFrench, German, EnglishPREVIOUS REPORTRapport CSR 2012SWITCHER SA GENERAL INFORMATIONFLO-id: 4158GOTS: certified by IMO-CH, lic. no. 100591SEDEX: AB member S000000035480IDE: CHE-105-874.018-TVA
REPORT PARAMETERS
REPORT SCOPE
INDEX GRI 1. STRATEGY AND ANALYSIS PAGE(S)
1.1 Statement from the CEO 5
INDEX GRI 2. ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE PAGE(S)
2.1 Name of the organisation 6
2.2 Primary brands, products and services 8
2.3 Structure of the organisation 6, 7
2.4 Commercial headquarters 7, 43
2.5 Countries where the organisation operates 8
2.6 Nature of ownership and legal form 6
2.7 Markets served 8, 9
2.8 Scale of the reporting organisation 8, 9, 16
2.9 Significant changes regarding structure 6
2.10 Awards received in the reporting period No prize received during 2013
INDEX GRI 3. REPORT PARAMETERS PAGE(S)
3.1 Reporting period 43
3.2 Date of most recent previous report 43
3.3 Reporting cycle 43
3.4 Contact point for questions regarding 43 the report
3.5 Process for defining report content 2
3.6 Boundary of the report 43
3.7 Specific limitations on the boundary 2 of the report
3.8 Basis for reporting 6, 7
3.11 Significant changes from previous reporting 6 periods in the scope, boundary or measurement methods applied in the report
3.12 GRI index 42
INDEX GRI 4. GOVERNANCE, COMMITMENTS PAGE(S) AND ENGAGEMENT
4.1 Governance structure of the organisation, 7, 17-19 including committees
4.2 Board of Administrators: executive duties 6 of the President
4.3 Board of Administrators: number 6 of independent and/or non-executive members
4.4 Mechanisms for shareholders and employees 17-19 to provide recommendations
4.12 Externally developed economic, environmental 20, 30 and social charters, principles or other initiatives to which the organisation subscribes or endorses
4.13 Memberships in associations, industry 11, 29 associations and/or national/international advocacy organisations
4.14 List of stakeholder groups 7, 8, 9
4.15 Basis for identification and selection 7, 8, 9 of stakeholders
4.16 Approaches to stakeholder engagement, 15, 29 including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group
INDEX GRI ECONOMIC INDICATORS PAGE(S)
EC1 Direct economic value generated and 16 distributed including revenues, operating costs, employee compensation, donations and other community investments, retained earnings, and payments to capital providers and governments
EC5 Range of ratios of standard entry-level wage 13-15 compared to local minimum wage at significant locations of operation
EC7 Procedures for local hiring and proportion 14 of senior management hired from the local community
INDEX GRI ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS PAGE(S)
EN2 Percentage of materials used that are recycled 33-38 input materials, in weight or volume
EN3 Direct energy consumption by primary 36-37 energy source
EN4 Indirect energy consumption by primary source 36-37
EN5 Energy saved due to efficiency improvements 36-40
EN6 Initiatives to provide energy-efficient or 35-37 renewable energy based products and services, and reductions in energy requirements as a result of these initiatives
EN7 Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption 35-37 and reductions achieved
EN8 Total water withdrawal by source 10, 37
EN 16 Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas 10, 35-38 emissions by weight
EN 18 Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10, 35-38 and reductions achieved
EN22 Total weight of waste by type and 37 disposal method
EN29 Significant environmental impacts of 37 transporting products and other goods and materials used for the organisation’s operations, and transporting members of the workforce
INDEX GRI SOCIAL INDICATORS PAGE(S)
LA1 Total workforce by employment type, 13 employment contract and region
LA2 Total number and rate of employee turnover 14 by age group, gender and region
LA7 Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days 14 and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities by region
LA10 Average hours of training per year per 13-15 employee by employee category
LA12 Percentage of employees receiving regular 13 performance and career development reviews
LA13 Composition of governance bodies and break- 13-15 down of employees per category according to gender, age group, minority group membership and other indicators of diversity
