Hypertherm Releases Social Responsibility Report
The 2018 CSR report highlights areas such as their community engagement, environmental impact, and associate well-being.
Posted: June 13, 2019
Hypertherm, Inc. (Hanover, NH) announced the release of their 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report (CSR), providing an update on all areas measured by the company including community engagement, environmental impact, and associate well-being. This year’s report highlights work to expand the depth and reach of the company’s global CSR programs. For example, the report shows that all but one of their global teams has achieved at least One Leaf status as part of the Greener Cuts internal certification process. HOPE (Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors) teams, responsible for grantmaking and facilitating volunteerism, are now established in all countries in which they have a business presence, and the Wellness Program is available to all associates. The 2018 report also marks the first year of working toward adherence to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework.
Participation in the company’s Community Service Time Program remains strong regardless of geographic location with 85 percent of associates actively participating last year. In total, associates served 25,957 hours for a combined total of more than 165,000 hours since the program’s inception in 2003. In addition to volunteering, the company provided financial support to more than 100 nonprofits through their HOPE foundation which continues to place added emphasis on two strategic initiatives: SHAPE for STEM and SUD (Substance User Disorder). More than 1,000 elementary through high school students were exposed to STEM through company educational tours, job shadows, internships, and hands-on workshops last year alone. The second initiative, launched in response to a SUD crisis impacting the country, saw the company’s designation as the first Recovery Friendly Workplace in the state.
Environmental gains include the diversion of more than 2,500 metric tons of waste — the equivalent weight of 2,020 Honda Civics — from landfills, the addition of several vehicle charging stations to their two largest New Hampshire locations, and more efficient electricity use despite increased production. In addition, they report success with low carbon commuting, reducing miles driven by more than 4.6 million miles since the start of that program in 2010. When it comes to associate well-being, the company continues to report workplace injury rates well below the national average. For 2018, they posted a safety incidence rate of 2 compared with an industry average of 4.1.
“Hypertherm is making steady progress toward its CSR goals and our journey will never end,” said Jenny Levy, the company’s vice-president of people, community, and environment. “We are working to balance the needs of our industrial cutting business with people and the planet, which we know will make our business stronger for the long term.”
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