Communities

We aim to be a good neighbor, wherever we operate. We have around 26,000 permanent employees (as of the end of March 2024), with principal operations in Europe, Japan, North and South America, China and South East Asia.

The local communities throughout the world in which NSG Group operates are the foundation of our business and the lives of employees. Without a relationship of mutual benefit with these communities, the Group as a whole could not sustain its operation.

The effects of investments in our communities are generally beneficial, bringing additional employment and economic benefits. For every investment we make, an impact assessment is conducted to ensure we understand and manage the likely effects on the community, the environment and the local economy.

As a responsible and often prominent member of the communities in which we operate, we believe it is important to be involved actively by leveraging our core business and management resources to help to address local issues.

Aims and objectives

We want our operations to function in healthy, thriving communities and to be seen as a good neighbor to those communities. We know that if we want to operate effectively and to be able to expand or change when the time is right, we need the goodwill that comes from being an active supporter of the community.

In addition to our business investments helping to sustain local operations, we also invest in the communities in which we operate. We aim to help - through direct cash donations to charities and other projects or through in-kind resources, to improve the health of the community or tackle specific social issues.

We also involve our staff in providing a lead in developing our relationships with the communities in which we operate. This can take the form of matching contributions raised by staff or allowing staff time to make personal contributions of time and effort in local projects.

Partnership with "YMCA of Greater Michiana" in North America

Niles, Michigan facility is a long-standing partner with the Non-Profit YMCA of Greater Michiana (Michigan & Indiana). The Niles location supports a number of community activities coordinated through the YMCA including wellness initiatives and healthy living events, but one of the favorites is sponsoring the Youth Basketball League. This year, the Niles location sponsored four teams, allowing forty (40) local youth to attend the program free of charge. The basketball league is a particularly popular activity with over 200 children participating each year. The program provides both fitness and fun during the winter months when things can get rather dreary here in Southwest Michigan. Children are given a safe place to spend their after school hours, get physically active, and learn from dedicated community volunteer coaches.

The NSG Group-sponsored Youth Basketball League provides a supportive environment for children to learn and improve in many areas, not just athletic prowess. These programs are offered to younger children who are building a foundation of success in life that includes physical activity and wellness as a cornerstone. The YMCA programs believe that everyone in the community deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive and are offered to children with special needs in the Niles community. This program makes a meaningful impact in the lives of those individuals and their families as well as traditional families.

NSG Group values such as mutual respect, teamwork, passion, and social responsibility are echoed by the values of the YMCA program. Jill Haboush, YMCA of Greater Michiana Chief Development Officer states that the contribution of NSG Group to Youth Basketball League, “Ensures that youth have the opportunity to participate in developing leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility.”

"Solidary Legs" in Brazil: Promoting Inclusion for Wheelchair Users in Running

In Brazil, an active volunteer group known as Solidary Legs was initiated by employees of Cebrace Barra Velha, a joint venture of NSG Group.

For many street runners, the thrill of feeling the wind on their face is a cherished experience. Unfortunately, this joy often eludes individuals with mobility challenges. The Solidary Legs Association, a non-profit project based in Barra Velha, Santa Catarina, aims to address this by promoting social inclusion for wheelchair users and people with disabilities within the running community.

Through the project, volunteer runners operate adapted tricycles, allowing individuals who cannot feel the wind on their faces to experience the joy of participating in the world of sports.

The initiative began with a single tricycle funded by one of our employees and her husband using their personal resources. Their vision and dedication inspired further contributions from the local running community, leading to the acquisition of additional tricycles. Currently, the group operates a fleet of eight tricycles, all generously donated by supportive employees of Cebrace.

Every weekend, members train and participate in races, showcasing their commitment to inclusivity. A municipal law ensures that drivers and parathletes can take part in local sporting events at no cost, further enhancing community support.

Recently the group received more donations through social funds from credit co-operatives and now has 22 tricycles.

For 2025, the project will have new social initiatives, such as outings and events at the city's nursing homes and para-sports centers.

Contributing communities at San Salvo in EU

The NSG Group Automotive and Architectural businesses in San Salvo Italy has for several years embraced its position as a major employer in the Abruzzo area with several initiatives that support and engage with local organizations and communities.

For example, the site has a large canteen providing around 600 meals of good food to its employees every day, but as with any food business there is waste. The team at the plant looked at how it could support a local charity (CARITAS) that provides meals to people in need in the local area. The project was started in 2019 and since implementation the team has provided over 6000 meals through the scheme. This initiative not only contributes to communities but also reduces the amount of waste.

The San Salvo site also continues to support the local media facilities by organizing a donation involving unions and all the employees. This initiative has been quickly extended to other local companies and citizens that wanted to participate, including San Salvo's mayor. The team with the contribution of more than 500 external donors raised €210,583; this money was then used to purchase sophisticated equipment for the local hospital, continuing to benefit the community today.

In 2016 a terrible earthquake hit central Italy and the village of Civitella del Tronto, in the north of Abruzzo, was part of this natural disaster. The team in San Salvo launched an initiative fully supported by the unions and the employees that allowed the rebuild of a school. The project continues today giving priority in new initiatives for children in an inclusive environment (new library, disability center, school equipment).

In addition, other initiatives support children of all ages through more than 250 student scholarships, a school work program with five schools in the region and invitations for children to attend NSG Safety Day.

These programs that engage, support and embrace the community in San Salvo is something that the NSG Group encourages in all its operations around the globe, and we will continue to challenge our leadership teams to understand and engage without communities.

NSG Malaysia Employees Volunteer for "Green Project" at the National Zoo

Employees from NSG Malaysia participated in a volunteer "green project" at the National Zoo of Malaysia, a key initiative that highlights the country's rich biodiversity. Home to an impressive array of animals and birds, the zoo serves as a vital introduction for visitors to the wonders of the natural world.

This project brought together employees from diverse roles, including contractors and foreign workers, who engaged in various activities aimed at enhancing animal welfare. Tasks included animal care, food preparation, exhibit cleaning, and environmental enrichment—efforts designed to improve the living conditions and health of the animals.

Through their involvement, employees gained valuable insights into animal welfare and the importance of biodiversity conservation. Their contributions not only enriched the zoo's environment but also fostered a deeper understanding of the natural world among visitors, making the local zoo a more enjoyable and educational experience for everyone.