Code of Conduct
Responsible for ourselves and others
Challenges always drive us to peak performance.
Our offer
Our existing philosophy forms the basis and introduction to our Code of Conduct.
We, the Gebrüder Wanner GmbH, have been a family business since 1872 and are one of the few rope manufacturers in Germany. Our company has been characterised by family values, goals and intentions for generations. People and their safety are our priority.
Not only our numerous products guarantee this safety and responsibility, but also the way we do business. Employees are valued as an essential part of our company and customers and suppliers are won over as trusted partners.
Mutual respect, honesty and transparency play a key role here. Our employees can utilise their creativity and personality in a variety of ways thanks to their personal responsibility and freedom to make decisions. This enables us to constantly realise new ideas and solutions and to develop the highest quality.
This way of working, the variety of products, the wide-ranging expertise and the constant commitment to the company have enabled us to write success stories for years.
Supply chain law
“The Supply Chain Act came into force on January 1, 2023. The law regulates corporate responsibility for compliance with human rights in global supply chains. This includes, for example, protection against child labor, the right to fair wages and environmental protection.
This benefits people in the supply chains, companies and also consumers.*
This law initially applies to companies with more than 3,000 employees and from 2024 also to companies with more than 1,000 employees in Germany. As Gebrüder Wanner GmbH, we are therefore not affected by the Supply Chain Act, but we are committed to complying with ethical business behaviour, which is explained in more detail in the following points.
* Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Quality policy of the Gebrüder Wanner GmbH
‘We at Gebrüder Wanner GmbH utilise the experience of our more than 150 years of tradition to ensure that our products meet the latest quality and safety criteria for our customers.
Our core competences are divided into the areas of customisation, construction, production and services in the field of rope and lifting technology.’
In order to realise our mission sustainably, we have implemented a quality management system in accordance with the international standard DIN EN ISO 9001, which is subject to continuous improvement. As emphasised in our mission statement, the safety of the people who work with our products is our top priority.
Our focus is on customer orientation, the aim of which is to be recognized as a fair, beneficial partner. To this end, we offer a very high level of vertical integration with our industry-specific, up-to-date expertise, which includes innovative and creative ideas, in order to be able to implement these requirements. We strive for unique selling points in our industry, which we support with competitive prices, reasonable delivery times and a transparent, reliable contact for long-term customer loyalty.
Our principles of behaviour
As a family business, we maintain long-term, trusting, honest and close relationships with our business partners, which are characterised by mutual trust and fairness. Furthermore, we do not bribe and do not accept bribes. We avoid putting ourselves and our partners (and their employees) in compromising situations.
The concept of the honourable merchant, who not only complies with legal requirements but also pursues morally and ethically responsible business practices, serves as a model.
The concept of the ‘honourable merchant’ is closely linked to German economic history and dates back to the time of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. At that time, it was customary for merchants to assume a special responsibility in their business relationships and to orientate themselves towards high moral standards. They acted not only in their own interests, but also in the interests of their customers, business partners and society as a whole.
Through their activities, they contributed to strengthening the reputation of the merchant community and were seen as role models for other entrepreneurs.
In terms of the sustainability triangle, it is therefore not only economic sustainability that must be strived for, but social and ecological aspects must also be taken into account. Violations of these principles, either directly or indirectly, can have consequences for Gebrüder Wanner GmbH (hereinafter referred to as Gebrüder Wanner) (reputational damage, legal consequences, loss of deliveries).
The Code of Conduct does not replace existing or future guidelines and/or processes. The individual companies are free to issue stricter or more detailed regulations locally.
Our understanding of sustainability
Carl von Carlowitz was a German forestry official and scientist who lived in the 18th century. He coined the term sustainability by using it in his writings on sustainable forest management. For him, sustainability meant that the management of forest areas should be organised in such a way that they can be used in the long term without depleting natural resources.
For Carlowitz, this meant that only as many trees should be felled as can grow back. He emphasised that not only the benefits of the forest for people had to be taken into account, but also the needs of other creatures that live in the forest. Through this sustainable management, the function of the forest as a habitat, climate protection and raw material supplier should be maintained. Carlowitz’s concept of sustainability was primarily relevant to forestry in his time, but was later transferred to other areas such as agriculture, fishing and industry.
Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Today, the term sustainability is often used in connection with environmental, social and economic aspects and describes a way of life and an economy that is geared towards long-term environmental, social and economic stability and justice.
Environmental protection is an important aspect of sustainability. We must be aware that our actions have an impact on the environment and that we only have limited resources at our disposal. It is therefore necessary to develop and utilise resource-saving and environmentally friendly technologies in order to reduce the environmental impact and ensure a sustainable future.
Another important aspect of sustainability is social justice. A sustainable society is characterised by the fact that it offers equal opportunities and possibilities to all people and does not exclude or disadvantage anyone. This also means that the needs of minorities and disadvantaged groups must be taken into account.
Finally, economic sustainability also plays an important role. Sustainable business practices not only take into account short-term profits, but also long-term effects on the environment and society. Companies and organisations should therefore be guided by ecological and social standards and strive for long-term economic stability.
Social sustainability
Conflicting materials
Prohibition of forced and child labour
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Accordingly, the age should not be less than the age at which compulsory education ends according to the law of the place of employment and in any case not less than 15 years. If children are found at work, the supplier must document the measures to be taken to remedy the situation and enable the children to attend school. The rights of young workers must be protected. Employees under the age of 18 may not be employed for work that is harmful to the health, safety or morals of children. As things stand at present, no child labor in accordance with ILO 138 and 182 and no forced labor in accordance with ILO 29 are tolerated.
No forced labor, slave labor, or any comparable form of work may be used. All work must be voluntary and carried out without the threat of punishment. Employees must be able to terminate their work or employment relationship at any time. Furthermore, unacceptable treatment of workers, such as psychological hardship, sexual and personal harassment, or humiliation, must not occur.
The commissioning or use of security forces is prohibited if persons are treated inhumanely or degradingly or injured during their deployment or if freedom of association is impaired.
Exercising employee rights
The business partners undertake to comply with the applicable occupational health and safety regulations and ensure a safe and healthy working environment in order to maintain the safety and health of employees, protect third parties and avoid accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses.
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Finally, the business partners undertake to provide their employees with appropriate training in all occupational health and safety topics, in a language they understand and to guarantee the active exercise of their rights, as well as to carry out a risk assessment in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Prohibition of discrimination and unequal treatment
Discrimination/unequal treatment of employees in any form is not permitted. This applies, for example, to discrimination based on gender, race, national, ethnic or social origin, skin color, disability, health status, political conviction, origin, ideology, religion, age, pregnancy or sexual orientation. The personal dignity, privacy and personal rights of each individual are respected.
Working hours and remuneration
The business partners undertake to comply with the applicable laws and regulations on the restriction of working hours and the granting of rest periods, breaks and vacation. The business partners undertake to comply with the applicable laws and regulations on the restriction of working hours and the granting of rest periods, breaks and vacation. Furthermore, the business partners undertake to remunerate their employees in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and to guarantee them equal pay for work of equal value (Section 1 of the Minimum Wage Act).
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Remuneration for regular working hours and overtime must correspond to the national statutory minimum wage or the minimum standards customary in the industry, whichever is higher. Employees must be granted all legally prescribed benefits. Deductions from wages as a punitive measure are not permitted.
The supplier shall ensure that employees receive clear, detailed and regular written information on the composition of their remuneration. Working hours must comply with applicable laws or industry standards to ensure reasonable limits on working hours, work breaks and regular paid leave.
Ecological sustainability
The business partners undertake to comply with the applicable environmental laws, environmental regulations and environmental standards. Insofar as environmental laws, environmental regulations and environmental standards contain reporting or other obligations to cooperate on the part of business partners, the business partners shall comply with these reporting or other obligations to cooperate on their own initiative, in full and within the prescribed deadlines. Even in the absence of corresponding legal obligations, the business partners shall support Gebrüder Wanner to the best of their ability in a timely manner upon request.
Gebrüder Wanner expects its suppliers along the supply chain to set up an adequate hazardous substance management system and to work continuously to avoid hazardous substances in products and reduce negative environmental impacts.
Wastewater from manufacturing processes and sanitary facilities must be typified, monitored, checked and, if necessary, treated prior to discharge or disposal. In addition, measures must be introduced to reduce the generation of wastewater.
General emissions from operations (air and noise emissions) and greenhouse gas emissions shall be typified, routinely monitored, verified and treated as necessary prior to release. ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY The supplier is also responsible for monitoring its emission control systems and is required to find cost-effective solutions to minimize any emissions.
The supplier follows a systematic approach to identify, handle, reduce and responsibly dispose of or recycle solid waste. Prohibitions on the export of hazardous waste shall be observed. Chemicals or other materials that pose a risk if released into the environment shall be identified and handled in a manner that ensures their safe handling, transportation, storage, use, recycling or reuse and disposal.
The use and consumption of resources during production and the generation of waste of any kind, including water and energy, must be reduced or avoided as far as possible. Energy consumption must be monitored and documented. Economic solutions must be found to improve energy efficiency and minimize energy consumption.
REACH
The EU Chemicals Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) has been in force since June 2007. REACH affects all branches of industry and assigns certain roles and obligations to the players in the supply chain.
We, Gebrüder Wanner GmbH, confirm that we are aware of our obligations regarding REACH. As an EU-based manufacturer and supplier of products for lifting – pulling – securing, which according to the above-mentioned regulation are products from which no substances are released under normal conditions of use, we ourselves are not subject to any obligation to register substances and preparations.
However, we inform our subcontractors of their possible obligations in connection with REACH so that no bottlenecks or interruptions in the supply chain can occur.
ROHS
Our products are not part of electrical and electronic equipment and as such do not have to be registered in accordance with Directive 2002/95 EC. This means that the national implementation of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and the associated registration does not apply to Gebrüder Wanner GmbH.
PFAS
PFAS chemicals are neither used in the manufacture of the products that we produce or sell ourselves, nor are they contained in them.
Economic sustainability
FAIR AND HONEST COMPETITION
The business partners undertake to behave fairly and honestly in competition and to comply with the applicable competition laws, in particular antitrust laws, and to ensure that neither their services nor their goods infringe the intellectual property rights of Gebrüder Wanner and/or third parties.
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In particular, price agreements with competitors, market sharing with competitors and the abuse of a dominant market position through price discrimination and other behavior are not tolerated. The standards of fair business activity, fair advertising and fair competition must be observed. In addition, the applicable antitrust laws must be applied, which in particular prohibit agreements and other activities that influence prices or conditions when dealing with competitors. These regulations also prohibit agreements between customers and suppliers that are intended to restrict customers in their freedom to determine their own prices and other conditions for resale. No untrue or deliberately misleading product and service descriptions are created.
FAILURE TO GRANT AND/OR RECEIVE UNLAWFUL BENEFITS
Business partners shall ensure that politicians (including their family members and relatives), authorities or members of authorities, business partners or their employees (including Gebrüder Wanner employees) or members of authorities are not given any unlawful advantages of any kind, either directly or indirectly.
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The business partners undertake to ensure that their employees do not demand or accept any undue advantages. In the view of Gebrüder Wanner, an advantage is inadmissible if its nature and scope is likely to influence the actions and decisions of the recipient.
IMPORT & EXPORT CONTROL
The business partners undertake to comply with all applicable export controls, sanctions, customs laws and regulations, including applicable trade restrictions, embargoes and other restrictions on the import and export of goods, services and information.
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In particular, the business partners undertake to ensure that they themselves, their beneficial owners, their representatives and other subcontractors used by them are not listed on any of the applicable sanctions lists as a sanctioned company and/or person. Furthermore, recognition of German law is required for the drafting and execution of contracts.
PROTECTION OF BUSINESS SECRETS
The business partners undertake to ensure that business information, in particular technical, financial or competition-related information, is always treated confidentially and in accordance with any non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements.
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When collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and passing on personal information, the business partner must observe the laws on data protection and information security as well as the official regulations. Intellectual property rights must be respected; technology and know-how must be transferred in such a way that intellectual property rights and customer information are protected. Furthermore, we respect brands, products and business secrets of third parties.
Prohibition of money laundering
As a business partner of Gebrüder Wanner, you ensure that the applicable laws and regulations for the prevention of money laundering are complied with and that the use of cash in business transactions is avoided whenever possible.
Data protection
Gebrüder Wanner GmbH consistently complies with data protection regulations.
In many areas, the use of innovative information technologies raises questions of informational self-determination, which is regarded as a valuable asset.
When dealing with the personal data of customers, employees and business partners, data protection is a top priority. Data protection is comprehensively taken into account when handling the personal data of customers, employees, and business partners. The specialist departments are supported in this by the Data Protection Officer of Gebrüder Wanner GmbH.
Personal information is only collected, processed, or used if legally permitted or with the consent of the data subject. Gebrüder Wanner GmbH is committed to the principles of economical storage of personal data and transparent data processing. This commitment ensures a uniform and appropriate level of data protection.
Confidentiality
As a business partner of Gebrüder Wanner GmbH, you undertake to meet the reasonable expectations of your clients, suppliers, customers, consumers and employees with regard to the protection of private information. You further agree to comply with data protection and information security laws and governmental regulations when collecting, storing, processing, transferring and disclosing personal information.
Complaints procedure
As a business partner, you undertake to appropriately communicate any information you receive regarding accessibility, jurisdiction, and the implementation of a grievance procedure to your employees. The prerequisites for the grievance procedure are ensuring accessibility for employees while maintaining identity confidentiality and providing effective protection against discrimination.
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Unless notified, business partners are responsible for establishing an effective grievance mechanism at company level for individuals and communities that may be affected by negative impacts. If a violation of the provisions of this Code of Conduct is identified, you will be notified immediately in writing so that the behavior can be brought into line with these provisions within a reasonable grace period. If a remedy is not possible in the foreseeable future, this must be reported immediately and a concept including a timetable for ending or minimizing the violation must be drawn up and implemented in cooperation with Gebrüder Wanner GmbH. In the meantime, Gebrüder Wanner GmbH shall have the right to temporarily suspend the business relationship. If the grace period expires fruitlessly or the implementation of the measures contained in the concept does not remedy the situation after expiry of the timetable and no milder means are available, the business relationship may be discontinued and all contracts terminated. A statutory right to extraordinary termination without setting a grace period, in particular in the case of willful and very serious violations, remains unaffected, as does the right to compensation.
COOPERATION WITH SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Respectful and responsible cooperation with regulatory and supervisory authorities is of great importance to Gebrüder Wanner GmbH. This applies both to regular contacts and to special inquiries, audits or investigations.
We would like to thank you for your interest in our Code of Conduct. We are proud to have developed this important guide for our company and are confident that, over a five-year period, it will help us fulfill our values and commitments. We hope you will use the Code of Conduct as a useful resource to ensure that we all act responsibly as honorable merchants and as ethical members of our community.
Philipp H. Mayer
Managing Partner
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