Corporate conduct

Since the vertical range of manufacture at ASSMANN is relatively low, suppliers play a key role in terms of sustainability.  Supplier selection and evaluation is carried out jointly by a team of employees from the Quality, Materials Management, Production, Purchasing and Sustainability departments.  Potential suppliers are issued with a mandatory self-disclosure form that surveys their willingness to contribute to sustainability. This may be subsequently reviewed via a supplier audit. The topics covered also include questions about human rights and working and social conditions. ASSMANN requires suppliers to confirm their willingness by committing to its Code of Conduct for suppliers. In addition, the 23 most important suppliers – approx. 15 per cent of our total suppliers – are subjected to a monthly supplier evaluation conducted by the divisions listed above using an in-house system. By conducting on-site audits at around 20% of these suppliers per year, we ensure that our supply chain is reviewed regularly and systematically on an ongoing basis. In addition, the requirements of the EUTR (European Trade Regulation) and the EUDR (European Deforestation Regulation) mean that a due diligence system is in place to check that our timber suppliers use sustainable logging methods. If a company does not fulfil the requirements and there is a high risk with regard to quality, reliability or sustainability, our first step towards correcting this is to define measures for improvement. If there are no improvements in the long term, the supplier is dropped or specific products are discontinued.

In 2024, 22% of the main suppliers were audited, and no significant negative social or environmental impacts were identified during the audits. Potential for improvement was noted in the areas of waste management and occupational health and safety.

Every year, the best supplier who has impressed the most in all categories receives an award. The Best Supplier Award for 2024 was presented to Egger Bünde.