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Sustainability

By pursuing sustainable corporate practices, Tecan is looking to secure the longterm expansion and prosperity of the Company for the benefit of all interested parties. Tecan sees sustainable corporate practices as more tha n just a series of individual measures. Instead, they are a basic mindset that shapes all corporate processes and unites economic, regulatory, ecological and social aspects. Tecan’s business principle is to treat partners – including employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, government agencies and stakeholders – professionally, fairly and with high ethical standards.

Compliance with the sustainability targets of the United Nations

In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at a sustainability summit convened as a meeting of the General Assembly. The agenda’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target fundamental improvements in the living standards of people alive today as well as of future generations. They also comprise objectives aimed at protecting Planet Earth.

 

Tecan’s activities and products are very much in line with the UN’s sustainability goals. For instance, nearly all the Group’s sales are generated in areas that are defined in the individual SDGs. Tecan develops and sells flexible automation solutions that are deployed in both drug discovery and the sustainable management of fish stocks in the Atlantic, for example. 

 

By far the largest share of Tecan’s Group sales is attributable to SDG 3, which aims to promote good health and well-being for people of all ages. In the various defined sub-goals of SDG 3, ­Tecan supports both research applications and processes in routine laboratories. The use of Tecan products also promotes other UN SDGs, including 2, 6, 14 and 15. Examples of how Tecan products are used in these areas of application are available at www.tecan.com/tecan-journal. Searching for keywords such as “crop”, “food”, “fish”, “water”, “marine” or “animal” will provide specific examples of how customers use Tecan products.

Business processes

At Tecan, prudent corporate activity is an integral component of the daily routine of both employees and management. This requires clearly structured, transparent business processes. It is important that Tecan employees are familiar with globally binding internal corporate guidelines, business processes, and country-specific laws and regulations. Employees can access the most up-to-date version of these documents at any time in the Tecan Management System (TMS). The documents also convey intangible values that form the guiding principles of the corporate culture. The TMS is rated as a model tool by customers and external partners alike. Tecan develops the TMS on a continuous basis.

 

Tecan has had a continual improvement process (CIP) in place for a number of years. Employees in all areas of the Company should identify potential improvements at a day-to-day level, put forward solutions and contribute to their rapid implementation. The aim of the CIP is to increase the Company's profitability, enhance efficiency as well as quality and occupational safety, and improve internal collaboration. Where possible, the success of the CIP is measured by examining key performance indicators. For example, in production this is done by looking at productivity, throughput time and inventories.

 

Tecan developed and installed the production and logistics system PULS specifically for continual process improvements as part of just-in-time manufacturing. This integrated system enables Tecan to eliminate weaknesses and to better achieve the required, ever-stricter quality standards. The sustainability of the improvements is ensured by means of an audit system, which covers the relevant areas from occupational safety and environmental protection through management and collaboration. One of the guiding principles of PULS is to avoid waste caused, for example, by overproduction, standby time, excessive inventories and defective units. 

 

As part of the existing lean production, a consistent one-piece flow approach – an “employee-linked workflow”– was adopted in the production system. The employees accompany the instrument along the entire production path to completion, with no interruptions between the various work steps. Not only does this production process shorten production times and further improve quality, it should also further increase employees’ motivation levels.

 

At the Männedorf site, all employees have clearly defined ­responsibilities in the manufacturing process of the various product lines, and each product line is overseen by a production manager. Responsibility for the timely execution of orders, the procurement of materials and the observance of the agreed objectives is clearly allocated to individuals. Performance reviews are undertaken on the basis of KPIs (key performance indicators). Each morning, the production manager discusses the next steps to be undertaken with the entire team before production gets underway.

Risk management

To ensure sustainable corporate growth, it is crucial that any risks that could compromise this growth be recognized early on, assessed in terms of likelihood and consequences, and mitigated through an appropriate plan of measures. Tecan has a well-established global risk management process for this purpose. The process encompasses, among other factors, strategic risks, environmental and product risks, market and customer risks as well as occupational safety risks. It also focuses on political and economic developments as well as the possible impacts certain events may have on external partners such as customers or suppliers. 

 

Tecan continuously adjusts its risk management system in line with changes to the environment and takes current events into account in its risk assessment. Under the business continuity plan, for example, in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding, direct suppliers in the affected region are examined, and information gathered on their subcontractors. The aim is to ensure Tecan’s ability to supply, even in this type of exceptional situation. The Board of Directors reviews annually whether the risk assessment of business activities is appropriate and whether it takes into account both internal and external changes. Where necessary, new measures to mitigate risk are implemented. Tecan’s risk management system is also regularly audited by a key insurer, who attests to the instrument’s high standard, enabling a premium reduction. Some of the Company’s employees hold risk management certification. Tecan attaches great importance to the fact that this high level of qualification is internally available and that the Company does not have to depend exclusively on external experts, as is often the case at other companies.

 

Tecan has a solid SAP-based infrastructure for business processes which integrates sales, customer service, production and the entire financial area in one platform and harmonizes processes. This platform also forms the basis for a “business intelligence reporting suite” with integrated planning modules, for instance for human resources or the budget process. Annual updates ensure that Tecan always has the latest software versions, thus limiting outages and helping avoid large-scale, expensive update processes with long test phases.

 

In the financial area, Tecan uses an internal, self-managed treasury system and in doing so is taking a pioneering role. Tecan executes all money transfers for all Group companies centrally, and manages their cash reserves. This has enabled Tecan to optimize the number of banks it uses in connection with its business activities, and transfer cash reserves to banks at lower risk of failure. The treasury system has also improved short-term financial planning and ensured an interest rate benefit compared with decentralized management.

 

Tecan uses an IT-based control system in the financial area. This automatically recognizes and flags potential areas of conflict with regard to employees entrusted with a range of duties, which when combined could result in a risk of manipulation. The system is an integral part of the IT audit by the auditors. In this process, Tecan provided evidence that the access control system is working well.

 

All IT services offered by the Group worldwide are outsourced to servers of an external service provider. The data is backed up redundantly, and the data centers are physically separated from one another and from the production sites. This enables Tecan to minimize the risk of critical data loss and increase data security. Global round-the-clock IT support is also available to Group companies, thereby reducing outages.

 

ETHICAL VALUES

Tecan’s activities and

products are very much

in line with the UN’s

sustainability goals. For

instance, nearly all of

the Group’s sales are

generated in areas that

are defined in the SDGs.

 

Correct corporate behavior

Tecan has established several organizational control mechanisms with the aim of ensuring correct corporate behavior. These include an internal auditor, who reports directly to the Board of Directors. Tecan has a formalized Code of Conduct that is binding for all employees, managers and Board members. In this Code, Tecan undertakes to maintain the highest standards in its business activities and to respect ethical values. The document is available to the public on the Company’s website. With the Code, Tecan aims to document internally and externally that the Company is a credible and reliable business partner and employer in all situations. The Code of Conduct also brings together in a comprehensible form the key guidelines that are already included in other tools, such as the employment regulations or the Tecan Management System. It helps employees understand the Company structure, and to seek further information or support in cases of doubt. The Code promotes compliance with standards on occupational health, safety and the environment. It provides instructions on ensuring data protection and handling confidential information, and requires accurate and timely communication of information and careful logging of relevant meetings and processes by Tecan staff. The Code also stipulates compliance with competition law as well as national and international trade law for the import and export of products. It guarantees anonymity for whistleblowers. Although Tecan only generates a small portion of its sales in countries with an increased risk of ­corruption according to the criteria of the organization Transparency International, the Code of Conduct has a zero-tolerance policy toward bribery and corruption. Line managers are responsible for ensuring that all their staff know and understand the content of the Code of Conduct. All employees must attend and successfully complete a training course on the Code. 

 

The Code is established worldwide and the relevant employees have been given training on it. Tecan conducted the training for some employees in the form of e-learning courses. People exposed to higher business risks in their function, such as sales or procurement staff, also had to attend training courses in person. The Code is available in English and German as well as other languages, including Chinese and Japanese. By providing these different language versions, Tecan wishes to ensure that this important document is understood by employees all around the world.

 

Tecan’s most important suppliers are also provided with a ­dedicated version of the Tecan Code of Conduct, to which they must commit. This document, the “Tecan Supplier Code of Conduct”, defines the minimum requirements by which all suppliers must abide. These refer to internationally recognized ethical standards relating to labor and the environment, as well as business practices. The requirements are based on the ten principles of the UN Global Compact initiative. 

 

Tecan also carries out regular detailed screening of its distributors, and has established a separate process with a TMS directive (Distributors and Intermediaries Anti Bribery Due Diligence) for this purpose. The screening is carried out with the assistance of an external specialist service provider who draws up a due diligence report. This process is supplemented by Internet research and a database analysis as to whether companies or individuals related to Tecan appear in connection with corruption, bribery or other untolerated behavior. In particular, the TMS directive requires that all Tecan distribution partners and their owners, directors and employees refrain from bribing representatives of governments or state-owned or private enterprises, or from taking bribes. It does not matter whether bribery is prohibited, tolerated or allowed in the countries in which business is being done. Bribes are prohibited irrespective of whether a bribe is connected to a specific act or omission or is granted or received with a general view to the future execution of duties. Bribes do not only involve cash payments but also mean, for instance, lavish gifts, hospitality and entertainment. Distributors and intermediaries need to ensure that their representatives and their sales force are trained and adhere to Tecan’s standards on doing business. In individual cases, the screening has led to Tecan terminating relationships with intermediaries. The process is also applied during the selection of new distributors.

Safety and regulatory requirements

Tecan has established processes Group-wide and at its individual business locations to ensure compliance with national laws and regulations as well as with internal guidelines on safety and environmental protection. The Company invests substantial amounts each year in pursuit of further improvement. Tecan cooperates closely with public authorities and standard-setting bodies around the world to recognize new trends in regulation, occupational safety and environmental protection as early as possible and to integrate them in its corporate processes. The Company actively shapes these developments in significant economic regions by participating in key industry associations.

 

Internal and external experts regularly inspect whether Tecan’s locations comply with country-specific regulations and the Company’s internal standards for product and occupational safety as well as health and environmental protection. These inspections also cover measures that Tecan has to implement if it fails to meet any requirements. Each year, the locations are subject to a number of audits conducted by regulatory authorities, testing, monitoring and certification agencies, customers, and Tecan’s own specialist teams. As part of a continual improvement process, gap analyses are performed and improvement measures implemented. In 2017, Tecan was again subject to a number of sometimes extensive audits by customers at its production sites. These included leading diagnostics companies that Tecan supplies with instruments through its OEM business in the Partnering Business, or will supply in the future. The audits covered areas including processes, quality management systems, product design, validation and documentation. The customers again attested a high standard at Tecan with regard to the relevant requirements. Tecan is also subject to regular extensive audits by international authorities at its production sites. The US Food and Drug ­Administration (FDA), for example, audited Tecan’s main production sites for instruments in Männedorf (Switzerland), Grödig (Austria) and San Jose (USA) between 2014 and 2016. All audits were successfully concluded with zero formal observations. At the production site for immunoassays in Hamburg (Germany), the certification for the Medical Device Single Audit Program (­MDSAP) was successfully completed in the year under review. The MDSAP is a catalog of requirements for manufacturers of medical products drawn up by a number of participating countries. It aims to ensure that audits are performed in a standard and thus simplified manner. Thus, manufacturers of medical products can gain access to several markets by means of a single audit. Countries currently participating in the MSDAP are the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil and Australia.

 

Another focal point in Tecan’s regulatory efforts is the supporting of customers in the Partnering Business, with Tecan making key documentation available for authorization applications for new diagnostic instruments.

 

To ensure these efforts were compliant with the relevant regulations, they were based on various ISO standards. Tecan put together an ISO 14971-certified product risk management process for medical devices that covers the entire lifespan of a product and evaluates all possible risks, especially those pertinent to patients and users. The Tecan parent company, all production sites and almost all sales subsidiaries are now ISO 13485-certified. During the year under review, Tecan worked on transitioning to the latest version of ISO 13485. Tecan already obtained certification in 2017, on the basis of the latest version from 2016, for its production sites in Grödig (Austria) and San Jose (USA). Further sites are set to follow in 2018. The most important difference versus prior versions lies in the greater focus on risk management. As part of the risk assessment, processes are analyzed, for example during the development phase of a product, to determine whether the processes can influence product quality. At the same time as transitioning to the latest ISO 13485 standard, Tecan has also been working on establishing the current ISO 9001 standard for its production sites.

 

Another aim is to bring newly acquired companies to the high quality level of the Group as quickly as possible, and to reach the same high standard of quality at the various production sites. In the year under review, Tecan rolled out a Tecan-standard quality system at SPEware (now Tecan SP), acquired in the autumn of 2016, and also made preparations for the ISO certification to be obtained in 2018. The production of precision pumps at Pulssar Technologies, acquired in early 2017, was relocated from Paris to San Jose (USA), where Tecan traditionally develops and manufactures components. Pulssar pumps are now being produced in line with ISO 13485 for the first time.

 

As part of its ISO certification strategy, Tecan obtained a full, Group-wide matrix certificate based on ISO 13485. The Company wants to ensure that all units worldwide work according to the same processes and strive together to continuously improve their products and services. The matrix certificate also accommodates the current and future Group structure with an increasing number of subsidiaries. In Europe, the sales subsidiary in Germany was awarded the main certificate, while subsidiaries in other countries received subcertificates. This new method of coordinated certification has benefits for customers and Tecan alike: greater transparency; the possibility to systematically monitor processes worldwide; and harmonized, standardized systems that also accommodate differences in the markets. The matrix certificate results in considerable simplifications and increased safety compared to individual certificates. The certifying body verifies the certification annually with sample checks at different subsidiaries. Tecan products must also satisfy the following important requirements, among many others: US QSR (Quality ­System Regulation)/21 CFR 820, ­CMDCAS (Canadian Medical Device Conformity Assessment ­System), PMD Act (Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act) and CCC ­(Chinese Compulsory ­Certification). New opportunities are developing for Tecan in emerging markets, which will place additional requirements on the Company.

 

Regulatory requirements are increasing around the world. To ensure that the current versions of these are understood and satisfied everywhere, Tecan is in constant contact with local organizations and authorities. Several online applications provide Tecan’s technical staff with the necessary technical support for managing product registrations and clarifying regulatory requirements in more than 60 countries.

 

Tecan has a central Quality & Regulatory organization at Group level to ensure ongoing improvements in the high quality standards worldwide. In Europe, all the quality systems of the national subsidiaries and organizations have been harmonized and processes standardized, including sales, service and complaint processes. Tecan operates a Central Complaint Unit for customer complaints. Tecan performs a global management review every year in which relevant data from all Group companies are reviewed centrally. The process assesses whether quality management is still optimized to the legal requirements and regulations for the products and ­services supplied by Tecan. Tecan undertakes this review with regard to the individual national markets as well as from a Group-level perspective.

 

Tecan’s approach to product development is also characterized by an awareness of quality and regulatory requirements. Specialists collaborate from an early stage, supporting the process in a series of structured stages that span the product’s entire life up to the point where it is withdrawn from the market.

 

Environment

The Company attaches great importance to acting responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner in the development, ­manu­facture and global distribution of Tecan products as well as in all services it provides. All Tecan production sites and the majority of suppliers are located in stringently regulated markets. Direct suppliers are subject to an audit program in order to ensure sustainable business.

 

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR

In the year under review,

CO2 emissions were

reduced by 29% thanks

to an adjusted energy mix

and saving measures.

 

 

In the production process – unlike, for example, the mass production of consumer goods – Tecan focuses on the final assembly of a relatively small number of items of laboratory equipment. In comparison with companies with extensive production processes, Tecan therefore emits only very low levels of pollutants. Tecan implemented numerous controls as part of the ISO 13485 certification, which applies to all production sites and sales subsidiaries. ISO 14001 certification has not been applied for, as no own incinerators are used in the production process. The production sites therefore do not emit CO2, methane or other greenhouse gases (scope 1 emissions) during the production process. Two production sites produce direct emissions exclusively from the combustion of natural gas for heating purposes. Indirect emissions arise from energy purchased (scope 2 emissions). In the year under review, indirect emissions were reduced by 36% thanks to an adjusted energy mix and saving measures. Consequently, total (direct and indirect) emissions fell by 29%, which corresponds to a reduction of 332 tons of CO2. Overall, the manufacturing process is less energy-intensive and is limited to the final assembly. Energy costs therefore make up less than 1% of all operating costs. The table shows the values of the four production sites in Männedorf (Switzerland), Grödig (Austria), San Jose (USA) and Hamburg (Germany) for the year under review. 

 

The areas used at the production sites consist exclusively of offices and rooms for assembling products, are located in already developed commercial and industrial zones, and did not change during the year under review. Environmental considerations such as the impact on protected areas and biodiversity are therefore not relevant in the current circumstances. 

 

Total energy consumption for the year under review remained on a par with the previous year. The energy intensity, which is the total energy consumption in relation to sales, dropped by 7.3%, with higher sales.

 

Tecan continuously invests in measures aimed at further increasing energy efficiency. In 2016, for example, it acquired a new refrigeration system for its largest production site in Männedorf. The new refrigeration system for this production facility has a significantly better energy rating. Aside from reducing energy costs, the system also helps to reduce indirect CO2 emissions by around seven tons a year. Tecan conducted an energy consumption analysis in the year under review. Energy-saving measures included the installation of new cold-water pumps and better insulation of the cooling distribution system in the production facility in Männedorf. The biggest investment was the replacement of some 700 fluorescent tubes with LED lights. This measure should result in a reduction of energy consumption by two-thirds, or about 96,000 kilowatt hours per year in the next few years.

 

Tecan takes care to ensure that modern, energy-efficient technology is used in the infrastructure of its buildings. For example, hot and cold water lines in the ceiling are the sole source of heating and cooling at the headquarters in Männedorf. Processed wastewater from the ­Männedorf wastewater treatment plant supplies the heat pumps with energy.

 

No water is used as a production factor in the assembly process. ­Tecan’s water requirements are met entirely by the communal water utilities and do not influence any water resources in protected areas. Overall consumption was slightly less than in the previous year, even taking into account the higher number of employees. Per capita consumption dropped by 6.2%.

 

Paper consumption was on a par with the previous year. 

 

There was an overall decline of 8.8% in the total amount of waste produced in comparison with the previous year. This was attributable to reductions in all waste categories. 

 

Recyclable waste and refuse accounted for nearly 99% of total waste. Only a small portion of it was hazardous waste, which includes materials, solvents and chemicals contaminated through the automation of biological processes, for example. The 22.6% reduction in hazardous waste was the most significant decrease.

 

Tecan attaches great importance to using the most environmentally friendly materials and ecologically efficient processes possible. Employees receive regular training and are familiar with the latest developments in this area. The importance of environmental standards such as the WEEE1 or RoHS2 Directives is increasing. Tecan incorporated the RoHS requirements into product development from an early stage to comply with this directive. The Companymust also implement the directives in their local forms in emerging markets such as China. In addition to environmental aspects, such as avoiding toxic substances that are not readily biodegradable in electrical and electronic devices, there are also ethical aspects related to rare earth elements and mining conflict minerals. Tecan is working together with suppliers on these areas and requires a Declaration of Conformity that human rights are respected as part of supply agreements.

 

Through the reliable, robust and sustainable design of its products, Tecan continuously targets progress in their environmental sustainability. The PULS program set up by the Company also includes targets and measures to avoid wasting materials and energy.

 

Tecan also makes its administrative processes as environmentally friendly as possible. For example, the Company is holding more video conferences in order to reduce the number of flights. Customer service staff use tools that enable completely paper-free processes. For innovations, CO2 efficiency is also a key criterion. Designing products to be lighter and more compact means that CO2 emissions arising from their transportation can be reduced. The use of LED lamps also allows energy to be saved in comparison with predecessor technologies. Tecan supports employees at the Männedorf location in their use of electric vehicles. The Company provides separate parking spaces equipped with charging stations that can be used free of charge.

 

1WEEE = Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

2RoHS = Restriction of Hazardous Substances

 

 

Employees

Tecan is very aware of the enormous responsibility it bears for its employees, which is reflected in its personnel policies that are binding at all of its companies around the globe. National hiring rules ensure compliance with laws on, for example, gender equality and non-discrimination. Both Tecan managers and employees are also held to strict ethical guidelines. These ethical guidelines are firmly established in the Code of Conduct and form part of the training requirements for all employees. As part of fundamental labor rights, Tecan is also committed to observing international labor and social standards that are based on the defined standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The globally applicable minimum standards are intended to ensure workplace rights and thus decent work. The four basic principles of the ILO are freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labor, the abolition of child labor and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

 

Tecan has a very cosmopolitan workforce comprising employees from 44 countries. The average age of Tecan employees is under 43. With the incorporation of the Tecan SP (formerly SPEware) employees, the total number of employees increased by 4.9%. The proportion of women in the workforce increased again to 33.0% (2016: 30.5%). The proportion of female managers was virtually unchanged at 22.8%. Two of seven positions on the Board of Directors are occupied by women. 

Overview of personnel figures

 

 

Unit

2015

2016*

2017*

Employee figures

 

 

 

 

 Employees

No.

1,369

1,413

1,482

 Full-time positions

in % of all employees

87.5%

88.8%

88.7%

 Part-time positions

in % of all employees

12.5%

9.8%

11.3%

 Trainees

No.

21

20

24

 New positions created

No.

145

44

69

 

 

 

 

 

Gender diversity

 

 

 

 

 Women

in % of all employees

30.2%

30.5%

33.0%

 Men

in % of all employees

69.8%

69.5%

67.0%

 Women in management positions

in % of all managers

23.5%

23.4%

22.8%

 Women in the Board of Directors

No.

2

2

2

 Women in the Board of Directors

in % of all members

28.6%

28.6%

28.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and continuing training**

 

 

 

 

 Investments in basic and continuing training

CHF 

639,254

585,204

481,694

 Investments in basic and continuing training

CHF per employee

1,321

1,117

981

 

 

 

 

 

Other figures

 

 

 

 

 Staff turnover rate

 

10.4%

11.0%

10.7%

 Absence rate**

 

2.5%

2.3%

2.7%

 Average number of years of service**

Years

5.7

6.8

7.7

 Average age**

Years

40.7

41.7

42.5

* 2016: including Sias AG, excluding SPEware Corporation; 2017: including SPEware Corporation (now Tecan SP)

** Data for Switzerland only

Environmental performance

 

Unit

2015

2016

2017

Net floor area 

m2

28,152

28,249

28,249

 

 

 

 

 

Energy consumption

 

 

 

 

 Total energy consumption

Gigajoules

20,927.6

18,817.4

18,905.7

 Total direct energy consumption

Gigajoules

3,363.8

3,595.3

3,908.8

 Total fuel consumption

Gigajoules

0

0

0

 Fuel consumption/m2

Gigajoules/m2

0

0

0

 Total natural gas consumption

Gigajoules

3,363.8

3,595.3

3,908.8

 Natural gas consumption/m2

Gigajoules/m2

0.1

0.1

0.1

Total indirect energy consumption

Gigajoules

17,563.8

15,222.1

14,996.9

 Total consumption of electricity

Gigajoules

12,706.0

11,113.8

10,949.2

 Consumption of electricity/m2

Gigajoules/m2

0.5

0.4

0.4

 Total heating energy 

Gigajoules

3,089.2

2,202.6

2,092.1

 Heating energy/m2

Gigajoules/m2

0.2

0.1

0.1

 Total cooling energy 

Gigajoules

1,768.6

1,905.6

1,955.6

 Cooling energy/m2

Gigajoules/m2

0.1

0.1

0.1

 Total steam consumption

Gigajoules

0

0

0

 Steam consumption/m2

Gigajoules/m2

0

0

0

 Energy intensity (total energy/turnover)

Gigajoules/CHF million

47.5

37.2

34.5

 

 

 

 

 

Water consumption

 

 

 

 

 Total water consumption

m3

6,910.5

6,694.7

6,576.2

 Water consumption per head

m3/head

9.1

7.5

6.1

 

 

 

 

 

Paper consumption

 

 

 

 

 Total paper consumption 

kg

22,725.8

25,437.9

25,484.0

 Paper consumption per head

kg/head

27.1

28.4

23.6

 Percentage of recycled paper

Percentage

84.5

80.9

68.8

 

 

 

 

 

Waste consumption

 

 

 

 

 Total waste

Ton

163.4

195.7

178.4

 Normal waste

Ton

80.7

85.6

79.3

 Recyclable waste

Ton

80.5

107.1

96.7

 Hazardous waste

Ton

2.2

3.1

2.4

 

Greenhouse gas emissions

 

Unit

2015*

2016

2017

Total direct CO2 emissions (scope 1)

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

0

183.76

198.92

 Emissions via fuel consumption

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

0

0.00

0.00

 Emissions via natural gas consumption

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

0

183.76

198.92

Total direct emissions of other greenhouse gases**

Ton

0

0.00

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

Total indirect CO2 emissions via 
energy procurement (scope 2)

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

70.96

962.35

615.24

 Emissions via electricity procurement

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

39.83

819.84

405.06

 Emissions via heating energy

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

15.59

127.59

205.70

 Emissions via cooling energy

Ton (CO2 equivalents)

15.54

14.92

4.48

*2015 site in Männedorf (CH) only

**Methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, nitrogen trifluoride

Vision and values

Tecan’s management considers it of key importance to instill the Company’s vision and common values in all its employees and ensure they are put into practice. Tecan reformulated the vision in 2015 as part of a major brand refresh project. As a common basis for collaboration, it has great importance in Tecan’s corporate culture.

 

THE TECAN VISION

The common values

and objectives for all

Tecan employees are

encapsulated in the new vision:

 

Every lab. Every day.

Empowered.

In the brand refresh project, Tecan drafted comprehensive guide­lines, common values and principles of conduct for employees, to which the image of the Company was also linked. The result of this link is the Tecan brand – a key factor for the Company’s success. The building blocks of the Tecan brand are graphically visualized in the “brand house”: the unique selling points for the Company’s positioning in the market, as well as its promise to its customers and the elements of its visual image are built on the foundations of the three core values – trust, highest standards and ambition. Tecan’s inner strength is made up of reliability, highest performance standards for the products and ambitious goals for innovations and process improvements. Through its new vision “Every lab. Every day. Empowered.”, Tecan aims to maintain a global presence with outstanding technologies, products and ­support. The Company wants to actively shape the future of automated workflows in life sciences and clinical diagnostics by facilitating key innovations and empowering those involved to achieve. When it comes to its unique selling points, Tecan sets particular store by the characteristic “­leading”. Throughout its corporate history, Tecan has launched many pioneering projects and has played a decisive role in the laboratory automation industry. In future, Tecan wishes to increase its focus on these traditional strengths and, on that basis, further strengthen its leading, formative role in the industry. 

 

The vision and values have been implemented in the Company by means of an intensive program, with events again held at various sites during the year under review to increase and renew awareness. The elements of the Tecan brand are comprehensively described in the brand book, which is available on the intranet and is given to new employees on their first day with the Company. 

 

The brand house has firmly established itself in Tecan’s day-to-day routine, with the various elements having been integrated into, for example, year-end process and employee meetings as part of their performance review. 

 

Tecan’s central customer promise is “Always There For You” – all of the Company’s activities are geared toward its customers. This promise is put into practice in an exemplary manner by numerous Tecan employees across the world in their daily dealings with customers and colleagues. To honor these sometimes extraordinary efforts and special commitment, Tecan created the “Always There For You Award” during the year under review. Employees can nominate colleagues for this prize on the intranet. The winners will be announced to the entire Group and receive a special financial bonus.

 

Employees by Region*
* In % of all employees, including SPEware Corporation (now Tecan SP)

Employees by Activity*
Basic and continuing training

At Tecan, ongoing professional and external basic and continuing training is a key requirement critical to business. Due to strict industry-specific requirements, Tecan has high training expenditure: The Company must comply with requirements and guidelines set forth by various supervisory authorities and must also demonstrate that its employees possess the required knowledge. In the year under review, Tecan again invested heavily in basic and continuing training. Aided by an SAP-based system, Tecan ensures that training processes are carried out to a sufficient standard throughout the Company. Each individual employee receives a personalized training profile. This enables employees and line managers to check and update the current training status. It also ensures that information on training levels is available electronically at all times for audits. Tecan is working continuously to develop and improve this learning system. It should provide an effective performance record and offer employees the best possible training opportunities.

 

Tecan is increasing investments in management training. Strong leadership is indispensable if the Company is to generate sustainable value. Employees can choose the right offer for them from a wide range of seminars and training opportunities. Specific four-part seminars, for example, provide managers from all levels with practical guidance for developing their leadership skills, motivating employees and raising the Company's productivity. 

 

These seminars have become a standard and are extremely popular. All the seminars include written individual and group exercises as well as larger group projects, including case studies and simulations of challenging business situations. A new two-part project management seminar is a further training focus: First, a common basis is ensured using e-learning, then the participants take part in a two-day situational training session. Through this seminar, Tecan is building up important knowledge, establishing an internal Company standard and providing training on uniform methods and terminology. This seminar is compulsory for all project managers, subproject managers and project staff.

 

Tecan also holds a financial seminar for novices. This is aimed at employees without in-depth financial training who require advanced knowledge for their budget processes, project planning or business analyses. 

 

The Te-Wiki is a tool available to Tecan employees for the purpose of exchanging information and experience. This platform includes general information describing Tecan products, as well as experiences of employees in sales and customer services from direct contact with customers. All Tecan employees can also benefit from the knowledge of their colleagues by asking questions or outlining issues via “tickets.”

 

In countries employing a dual education system, Tecan instructs trainees from various vocational and professional groups. 

Customer loyalty and satisfaction

At Tecan, strong customer loyalty and a high degree of customer satisfaction are key factors for sustainable business growth. Tecan regularly measures and evaluates customer loyalty and satisfaction.

 

More detailed information on the topics of customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and brand development can be found in the “Markets, strategy and brand management” section.

Social responsibility

Tecan offers a wide range of healthcare initiatives for its employees, including medical courses, vaccination programs and various sporting activities. The Company also supports chronically ill employees, taking efforts to ensure they remain integrated in the workplace as far as possible.

 

Tecan attaches great importance to good cooperation with the people and authorities where it does business. The Company also supports various projects serving the common good at its various locations. 

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