First Sustainability report of Gonvarri Steel Services<\/p>\n
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Madrid, 22 October 2014<\/strong>. Gonvarri Steel Services Pen\u00ednsula Ib\u00e9rica (GSS Spain and Portugal), leader in the Spanish and Portuguese sector of steel service centers has launched its first Sustainability Report (for the 2013 financial year). The information in this report complies with the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative for its A+ application level and it has been externally reviewed by an independent auditing firm.<\/p>\n GSS Spain and Portugal contributes to the creation of wealth in local communities. During 2013, GSS has generated a distributed economic value of 1,270 million euros and the creation of local employment, among others.<\/p>\n In relation to employment in GSS Spain and Portugal, the great stability of its staff (96% of the 1,188 workers have a permanent contract) and the good results in health and safety matters at its facilities must be highlighted. Since 2006, the company has reduced the number of accidents with medical leave by 83.3% and by 82% for absenteeism due to accidents at work.<\/p>\n The company has eleven steel service centers located in Spain and Portugal and four business lines with steel products<\/strong>. GSS supplies to different sectors such as the automotive, the industry, the road safety and the solar structure sectors. Its production capacity is 4.2 million tons of steel per year.<\/strong><\/p>\n Jon Riberas, Executive President of Gonvarri Steel Services confirms \u201cThe initiatives included in this report clearly reflect the values that guide us: honesty, humility, tenacity, and work; and the corporate principles that have oriented our company since its beginnings and which are part of our Ethics Code of Conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n The GSS Spain and Portugal Sustainability Master Plan considers these values and principles as core for its development obtaining the following results:<\/p>\n 1. Commitment to clients<\/strong>: Answering to the needs of the automotive industry, diversifying its products\u2019 portfolio and contributing in the creation of lighter vehicles<\/strong>; GSS Spain and Portugal have started to operate a new aluminium line<\/strong> in the Gonvauto Barcelona facilities, with high expectations of growth in the future years. Moreover, the Gonvauto Asturias plant has begun its activities with particular focus on manufacturing and marketing of welded tube<\/strong> for the automotive sector.<\/p>\n 2. Encouragement of professionals<\/strong>: GSS Spain and Portugal have developed activities focused on optimizing processes and on flexibility measures in order to adapt to possible changes in the product demand, always keeping them compatible with the employment stability. In fact, 96% of the staff has a permanent contract<\/strong>. It is also worth noting that this year the \u201cLeading the Change\u201d project, an ambitious corporate intranet project with the objective of enhancing employees\u2019 development through communication and fostering the sense of belonging, has been improved.<\/p>\n 3. Leading the Change<\/strong>: One of the company\u2019s strategic and priority objectives is its workers\u2019 health and safety. This has resulted in most of GSS facilities being certified under the OHSAS 18001 standard. Also, an effective corporate prevention plan<\/strong> called \u201cOne Step Beyond\u201d has been implemented; this has resulted in substantial improvements in safety and has reduced the number of accidents with medical leave by 83.3% and absenteeism due to accidents at work by 82%<\/strong>. In 2013, as part of its commitment to continually improve through innovation, GSS Spain and Portugal have certified seven projects; five for innovation and two for R&D, which have increased the efficiency of the processes and the quality of the products.<\/p>\n 4. Sustainability: economic, social and environmental<\/strong>. Its commitment to the environment is reinforced by reducing the environmental impact by using the Environmental Impact Index. Additionally, some energy efficiency initiatives and renewable energy production have been developed at its plants.<\/p>\n GSS Spain and Portugal have contributed to value creation for society through two approaches:<\/p>\n \u2022 Manufacture of lighter products for the automotive sector<\/strong>, which has a positive impact on vehicle emissions reduction<\/strong> and therefore, contributes to the fight against climate change.<\/p>\n \u2022 A commitment on road safety through the design, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative protective barriers aimed to improve the protection of the roads, mainly for motorists.<\/p>\n *Check the Sustainability Report 2013 of Gonvarri Steel Services Pen\u00ednsula Ib\u00e9rica at http:\/www.gonvarristeelservices.com\/en\/sustainability<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n