Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

Report 135
ities. To boost Group-wide dialogue between the regions and achieve agreement on strategic objectives
and current CR projects, the so-called CR Round Table – an international telephone conference
– took place twice during the course of the year.
Product responsibility
Products from Knorr-Bremse meet the highest standards of quality in terms of technical requirements
and safety as well as climate and environmental protection. Sustainability plays a key role at the development
stage and during the production process. Knorr-Bremse’s product portfolio covers a wide
range of energy-saving and emission-reducing technologies designed to help rail and road transportation
become more sustainable. With innovations such as the “whisper brake pad”, which has been
in operation on the “Italo” high-speed train since the end of April 2012 in Italy, Knorr-Bremse has
paved the way for new types of noise reduction in rail transportation. In the commercial vehicle sector,
the latest version of the Electronic Air Control System (EAC2) achieves a considerable reduction in
fuel consumption and CO 2
emissions. And by reducing the weight of components and using environmentally-friendly
materials the company further contributes to improving the environmental compatibility
of modern transport systems.
“We work on developing
products that
combine a high
degree of customer
benefit with a
contribution towards
sustainable development”.
Knorr-Bremse makes road and rail travel safer
Making mobility safer is a daily task for Knorr-Bremse. But the company has long since gone further
than just manufacturing its tried-and-tested braking systems. It now also offer customers systems for
steering vehicles and avoiding collisions or for intelligently linking up other safety-critical systems –
both for rail and for commercial vehicles. Knorr-Bremse sees its clear duty as being to further develop
such systems in the interests of improving the safety of passengers and vehicles.
Procurement according to the principles of the UN Global Compact
To achieve sustainable production you need the right materials – and Knorr-Bremse has therefore decided
to expand its own commitment to responsible conduct to cover its suppliers as well. To ensure implementation
of the principles of the UN Global Compact the company revised its quality management
guidelines for both the Rail Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle Systems divisions in 2012 adding information
from the supplier questionnaires and making them binding for all suppliers of production materials.
Knorr-Bremse reserves the right to verify adherence to them by means of audits and self-disclosure.
Employee responsibility
The Knorr-Bremse Group employs more than 19,000 people worldwide. The company is concerned
to be a responsible employer and offer its workforce an attractive working environment. Satisfied and
committed employees who are passionate about their work for the company are the cornerstone of
Knorr-Bremse’s business success, and the company therefore supports employees at all company
sites to achieve their personal and professional goals. In addition to existing care and support mechanisms
to improve work-life balance, the company’s German sites introduced more flexible part-time
working options in 2012. In addition, Knorr-Bremse gave its employees the option of tele-working
and unpaid leave lasting several months (“sabbaticals“).
“We wish to create an
attractive working
environment and
assume responsibility
for our employees”.
Equal opportunities and equal treatment, commensurate levels of pay based on performance and
not differentiated according to gender – and respect for other cultures and life situations are part and