“Given the challenges which all businesses and organisations are currently facing, an exceptional and disciplined effort is required. In order to ensure the health and safety of our employees, contractors, as well as families and communities, we continue to take rapid and appropriate precautionary action as necessary. Owing to our focused approach, we are in a strong position to continue to support our portfolio and safely operate our assets, providing precisely the type of materials that will be needed to drive positive, long-term growth in the aftermath of the pandemic.”
Benedikt Sobotka, Chief Executive Officer
Our Principles
For decades, our entities and our people have aligned themselves with the interests and futures of local communities and cities that have grown alongside our business.
In this time of unprecedented global challenge and need, we continue to be present as agents of social and economic development across the areas in which we operate. Fulfilling this responsibility and protecting the welfare of our employees, contractors and their families have always been at the heart of ERG – part and parcel of our mission and vision, across the fifteen countries of our presence.
With our employees and communities’ best interests in mind, we have introduced a range of preventive measures across our areas of presence, closely following government and health expert guidance and adapting as the situation develops over time. Keeping a social distance to save lives has been key in these efforts.
We have also taken a number of strategic steps to protect the integrity and the future of our business and that includes putting in place an extensive business continuity plan. We will continue to closely monitor the situation, as we have done from the outset, and we stand ready and capable of taking any further precautionary measures that are deemed necessary.
Our Main Targets
- Protecting the wellbeing, health and safety of our employees, contractors and their families.
- Stepping up our responsibility to support local communities and cities that have grown alongside our business.
- Ensuring that ERG can and with minimal disruptions continue to provide ‘materials of the future’ that are key to the recovery of the world economy and for collective, long-term growth.
- Taking prudent financial decisions to proactively safeguard the integrity and future of our business.
Our Measures
Facilitating social distancing
- Introduced remote working and shift schedules at corporate offices
- Established restrictions and regular guidance on all work-related travel
- Cancelled or rescheduled all corporate events and celebrations
Taking preventative measures
- Strengthened the full array of disinfection procedures across all offices and operations
- Secured the supply of tens of thousands of face masks
- Arranged for facilities to be deep-cleansed
- Installed thermal remote sensing cameras at ERG’s plants to screen employees’ temperature
- Trained staff on the warning signs of COVID-19
- Distributed virus prevention kits consisting of medical equipment, hand sanitisers, information booklets, and more
Supporting our colleagues
- Launched internal information campaigns across ERG’s business
- Created a dedicated line of communication run by the Group HR team to update staff on relevant health and safety guidance and measures
- Supported colleagues who need to look after children, including paid leave
- Arranged additional transport for employees
Safeguarding our future
- Leading by example: voluntary temporary salary reductions taken by the Group’s CEO and First Deputy CEO, supported by other top managers
- Preparing to fully capitalise on future opportunities and growth, including reaching new supply agreements with partners and expanding the available product range