Corporate Responsibility
Responsibility & sustainability from conviction
At HELLER we are constantly striving to achieve the best reliability, stability and quality in our products, in our processes and in our conduct. Responsible and sustainable actions are therefore firmly anchored in our company values and corporate policy. This also comprises, in addition to resource-saving processes as part of an integrated environmental and quality management system, a strong awareness for social aspects of daily communication.
Company organisation
The topic of sustainability is very important to us. Sustainability is embedded in the company as a strategic initiative and is led by the CFO of the HELLER Group. Our Sustainability Manager consolidates and co-ordinates all relevant issues and develops them together with the relevant colleagues in the Sustainability Team.
Occupational safety & environmental protection
Ensuring employees' safety in the workplace and avoiding danger to people and the environment is the top priority for HELLER. We guarantee workplace and health protection in accordance with applicable national and international agreements and check their efficacy. Grievances are disclosed and handled without delay.
We avoid causing damage to the environment and use natural resources sparingly. We also aim to treat our products in the same manner. It goes without saying that we comply with environmental protection laws. Our products and services must meet the highest requirements in terms of quality and safety. We monitor and improve how our products are used and their effect on the environment, and help our customers to avoid risks. To this end, HELLER has implemented an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001. In doing so, HELLER takes environmental responsibility beyond legal requirements.
In addition, the company prepares an annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report in line with the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and based on ISO 14064. The report describes the greenhouse gas performance of the HELLER Group and sets it in relation to the base year 2019. Transparent reporting of greenhouse gas emissions enables us to take targeted action to improve our company’s performance. You are interested in our latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report? Our Sustainability Manager, Stefan Wölffing, will be happy to provide you with a copy.
Closed loop economy at HELLER
HELLER ensures long and maximally productive life cycle of its products
HELLER machining centres are designed for a long machine life. Customers often use the products around the clock for decades, refurbishing or upgrading them as required. Repurposing or reusing existing machines not only saves you money. It also helps to minimise your carbon footprint. The HELLER Group offers comprehensive services and solutions throughout the entire life cycle of a machine, ensuring the long-term and sustainable use of its products.
The HELLER subsidiary GSN Maschinen-Anlagen-Service GmbH, based in Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany, has more than 30 years of experience in the ‘RE’ business. ‘RE’ stands for the reuse of machine tools and manufacturing systems that have proven their worth in production. In addition to rebuilds, automation, overhauls and relocations, ‘RE’ also includes setting up new machining processes. Through redeployment, i.e. the re-use of proven technology, HELLER offers its customers increased productivity in terms of machines, processes and workpieces, regardless of the manufacturer.
The HELLER manufacturer overhaul brings existing machines up to date with the latest technology. The knowledge and commitment to quality that we have as a manufacturer provides all the necessary prerequisites. A manufacturer overhaul is also ideal for older machines. The advantage is obvious: an upgrade allows the customer to continue using the existing base machine with familiar technology. This not only saves material resources, but also eliminates the need for replacement investment in infrastructure – such as equipment, tools or automation solutions. A retrofit not only restores machine performance, but can also increase productivity by up to 20 per cent. A control upgrade and a wide range of retrofit options such as energy efficiency solutions – HELLER Blue Packages – combined with software updates can improve the performance of the machine. The individual scope of the upgrade can be chosen by the customer and will be carried out in close consultation with them.
Examples of HELLER retrofit solutions:
- The BLUE Power Save retrofit solution reduces power and air consumption in standby mode by intelligently switching off energy-intensive components. Automated shutdowns ensure that auxiliary units, as well as pneumatic, cooling and lighting units, are progressively switched off as required to minimise energy waste. This can save up to 70 per cent energy in the first hour after the end of the program. Reduced wear when components are switched off significantly extends service life.
- By intelligently controlling the high-pressure coolant pump, the BLUE Coolant retrofit can save up to 70 per cent energy (depending on the machining process) compared to a system without frequency control. Additional savings can be achieved by using coolant cooling.
- With the BLUE Chill retrofit option, the machine is equipped with an energy-saving precision cooling unit that ensures efficiency by matching energy consumption to the required cooling capacity. Energy can be saved in all energy modes, from low to maximum cooling loads.
HELLER’s experience and expertise provide the basis for efficient repair of the core components and assemblies of Heller machine tools. For decades, the global HELLER Component Repair Centre has been providing reliable and cost-effective repairs of assemblies from both discontinued and current series machines. The use of original spare parts and standardised quality testing before delivery ensures that the repaired component is fully functional. Whether it is a component repair, assembly replacement or bespoke fair-value repair, at HELLER we want our products to last as long as possible. HELLER therefore also offers its customers repaired spare parts that are available from stock. These so-called X-parts are reconditioned, refurbished and functionally tested assemblies that are technically as good as new, but may have visual imperfections such as scratches, installation or wear marks. They offer customers an affordable alternative with minimal downtime when the machine is at a standstill. Returned and economically repairable components and assemblies are eligible for credit and become part of the HELLER repair process.
In addition to new machines, we also offer our customers used machinery. HELLER focuses on the sale of young used machines. All pre-owned machines are in perfect technical condition and are tested according to HELLER guidelines before delivery. HELLER also supports the purchase of machines in cooperation with its subsidiaries STS Maschinendienstleistung GmbH and GSN Maschinen-Anlagen-Service GmbH.
Quality Management
All products and services from HELLER stand for quality. Thanks to our high product diversity, standardised processes are the basis for efficiency and effectiveness. The product development process guarantees the early avoidance of errors and deviations in the manufacturing process.
Also part and parcel of our company DNA is the need to continuously improve and optimise our processes. To underline this agenda, the HELLER Quality management is certified to ISO 9001 and VDA 6.4.
Certificates
You can gain an overview of our certificates in our Download Centre.
HELLER Code of Conduct
The conduct of each individual employee forms the basis of our credibility and the trust that our customers, business partners, colleagues and the public place in us. Accordingly, it has a significant influence on the good reputation and the successful future of our company.
We abide by the laws and regulations of the countries in which we work. We adhere to agreements made, which are the foundation of long-term and sustainable business relationships. Reliability requires our employees to conduct themselves in an honest manner at all times and is the basis of reliable, stable and high-quality products and processes.
The HELLER code of conduct is a model for ensuring ethical behaviour in accordance with our values and identity.
Social responsibility
We live and experience a social value system that takes account of the company's goals and the interests of the workforce in equal measure.
Through parental leave models, sabbaticals and part-time agreements, we create family-friendly working conditions to promote the opportunity for working parents to strike a better work/life balance. The regular events for those celebrating anniversaries and former employees are also testimony to the high level of appreciation at HELLER.
We see the health of our employees as an important element of the company's success. We promote good health through varied programmes under our health management strategy. Moreover, the company's counselling service also deals with employees' company, financial or family concerns.
The social aspect is an important element for HELLER even at the training stage: The HELLER Apprentice Initiative (HAI) exemplifies voluntary work. Time and time again, HELLER trainees take part in volunteer projects, organise fund raising activities and commit to integrating people with disabilities.
A look into the "inner workings" of HELLER shows just how diverse social responsibility can be lived and experienced. We encourage good relations and take the needs of people seriously. And because employees feel good at HELLER, they are willing to give their best. The excellent products and services from HELLER are testimony to this – not least by the long service given by our employees, mostly over 20 years and some for as long as 50 years.
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