As a prominent multinational, pneumatic automation technology specialist SMC Corporation recognises the importance of its actions and its footprint, and as such, has put forward four key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to Mike Cooper, sales and marketing director for SMC Australia and New Zealand, this is due to the company putting corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the top of its priority list.
The new SDG targets implements four key themes across it, which are:
- Respect human rights, promote diversity, and ensure safe and secure work environment;
- Actions to take on climate change and environmental issues;
- Stable global product supply; and
- Develop human resources and disseminate automation technology.
“As a responsible corporate citizen with more than 21,000-plus employees globally, we understand the importance of our actions and our footprint,” Cooper said.
“For this reason, we continuously work towards being a company trusted by our stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, shareholders, investors, employees, and our local communities.”
He added that SMC is customer-centric by nature and that every action starts with an understanding of the customer’s needs.
“We grow with our customers. There is always room for improvement, and our business is flexible enough to identify and develop products based on the customer’s exact requirements,” continued Cooper.
“We also know that our customers have a keen understanding of energy saving, and are looking more and more to implement technologies, which support their own commitment to SDGs.
“Locally, SMC is made up of eight offices and around 220-plus employees. We are conscious of our own ecosystem and are putting various long and short-term measures in place.”
Speaking to the need for reshoring, Cooper said that the company is focused on driving local manufacturing.
“This was further highlighted by Covid-19 and we're looking to create more jobs within SMC and our ecosystem, and to ultimately boost the local economy,” explained Cooper.
“Reshoring also makes good sense in terms of achieving SDGs and reducing carbon footprint – another reason this is important to us.”
Cooper recognises that actions speak louder than words, and said that SMC is working hard to reduce its impact on the environment.
“SMC contributes by reducing environmental impacts through the sales of automatic control equipment. In addition, SMC is working to develop products with even greater energy savings, air savings, space savings and weight reductions,” he said.
“With consideration to the environment, SMC is working to reduce its reliance on chemical substances as well as reducing its waste, water and energy consumption.
“We are also promoting the employment of a diverse workforce and striving to create an equal working environment for all.”
Internationally, SMC participates in green conservation activities in regions where its factories are located, and carries out activities to protect the natural environment.
On local shores, SMC is consolidating its people and offices to reduce its environmental footprint.
The company is implementing its own energy saving solutions into its factories, and looking at ways to work smarter with space and resources.
“We all need to do out bit – in the end, it all adds up to make business more sustainable and secure the future for generations to come,” Cooper concluded.
