Quality & Environment

Quality

Sika is commited to a comprehensive quality and service culture.
"Quality First" is the standard by which every production process, every workplace and every member of staff is measured.
So it comes as no surprise to learn that the quality systems of all established Sika companies are certified with the ISO 9000 series of international standards. Our understanding of quality of service means meeting the needs and wishes of our customers as promptly and efficiently as possible.

Quality and process improvements (Extract of the Annual Report 2002)

All Sika subsidiaries, except for the newest and smallest, have earned ISO 9001:2000 Quality System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management certifications. During the year under review all repeat external audits required by ISO as well as numerous customer assessments by the automotive industry were completed successfully. Our subsidiaries concentrated mainly on the introduction of the Corporate Management System - a process-oriented and in its basic structure, uniform system that covers the requirements of the new ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 standards, the automotive industry's guidelines as well as Sika's internal safety standards.

In following the procedures leading to certification, processes are described by those responsible for them. Clearly defined performance benchmarks guide the implementation. The so-called OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) exemplifies such an objective. The OEE of a plant furnishes comparable data on actual and theoretically achievable performance. In other words: Less time spent on shutdowns, maintenance and rectifying  upsets as well as reducing defective output mean higher and better OEE values.

All Sika plants manufacturing adhesives, sealants and speciality mortars operate on the basis of OEE evaluations. These benchmarks serve Sika internally in comparing process performance. Comparability stimulates ongoing improvements in process steps within production sites as well as between manufacturing installations in more than 50 countries.

Environment

Sika operates according to the principle that responsibility for the environment and safety is an integral part of every managerial task and a concern of each employee. In particular, we care for the environment and pay attention to the safety of everybody dealing in

• research and development
• procurement, production, storage, transportation and disposal
• product application in construction and industry.

We fully participate in the worldwide "Responsible Care" program initiated by the chemical industry. Sika is committed to introducing and maintaining an Environmental Management System according to ISO 14001 globally. By this time 34 companies - representing two-thirds of Group sales - operate in conformity with this environmental standard. Sika sees the challenge for environmental improvements as a genuine market opportunity. Today ecological issues are the driving force behind approximately 50% of all R&D projects.