Annual Report 2013

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Performance review: Stakeholders and society (Dialog)

As part of its sustainability approach, Electrolux communicates objectives, progress on priorities of each stated aspect of its strategic pillars, along with the next step for 2014 and onwards.

Priority area Objective / challenge 2013 Performance Next step
Build partnerships and include stakeholder input in identifying sustainability priorities.
  • Understand expectations and respond to different stakeholder and market concerns.

  • Integrate into company decision-making processes.
  • Continuous dialog with investors, Focus areas: Reducing the CO2 footprint along the value chain, human rights and freedom of association.

  • Conducted issue-specific discussions with industry peers and partners through BSR, Swedish Network for Business and Human Rights, International Council of Swedish Industry, UNICEF’s Corporate Network for Children´s Rights.

  • Hosted events on topics that include grievance mechanisms, whistle blowing and conflict minerals.

  • Dialog with major customers on processes for Code of Conduct compliance in supply chain.
  • Continue stakeholder dialog and ensure outcomes are channeled to relevant business functions.

  • Dialog within BSR, UNICEF’s Corporate Network for Children´s Rights and the Swedish Network for Business and Human Rights etc. will continue.
Raise awareness along the value chain on the carbon target.
Communicating with consumers, colleagues, partnering with business partners and dialog with policymakers.
  • Raise internal support and have an open discussion about challenges.

  • Build strategic partnerships with suppliers, customers, business partners and NGOs to reduce CO2 along the value chain.

  • Performance standards and legislation vary between countries. Electrolux strives to support their global harmonization.
  • Validation of the carbon target with external experts.

  • Hosted a CDP conference on carbon reporting attended by industry peers.

  • Held supplier energy workshop for major OEM partners in Shenzhen, China.

  • Participated in the development of smart-grid projects in Europe.
  • Ongoing stakeholder dialog and communication campaigns world-wide.

  • Launch internal communications platform on the target.

  • Continued work with smart grids and encourage behavior change on energy use among consumers.

  • Engagement with Royal Seaport urban development project in Stockholm, Sweden with installation of smart-grid-ready appliances.
Awareness raising on sustainability issues relevant to Electrolux business.
  • To trigger widespread attention on shared societal challenges.

  • Boost sales of green products.
  • Held one-on-one discussions and training sessions with suppliers and customers on sustainability priorities.

  • Participated in the High Level Group on Innovation Policy Management with the agenda to promote an EU Innovation Policy with strong focus on innovation for sustainability.

  • In dialog with representatives of governments, policy-makers and inter-governmental organizations on issues relating to climate change, energy and resource efficiency, producer responsibility, product labeling and eco-design, phase-out of chemicals of concern.

  • Joined the TransAtlantic Business Council (TABC)—an organization that promotes free trade between the US and Europe.

  • Conducted presentations at international conferences on Circular Economy / Recycling.
  • Streamline and align the Group’s public-policy efforts globally.

  • Continue to work with EU policy-makers.

  • Set up a global office to co-ordinate and manage chemicals legislation and use across the Group during 2014.

  • Continue efforts to influence the public policy agenda through membership in industry organizations such as CECED, AHAM and the TABC.
Openness and transparency on restructuring process and other labor-related issues
  • Conduct restructuring and labor management responsibly, transparently and in constructive dialog with unions, municipal authorities and potential investors.
  • Established a dialog with international union representatives such as IndustriAll (IA) on maintaining high standards for labor in manufacturing.

  • Reduced production and non-production staff, primarily in Europe and Canada.

  • Restructuring. In dialog with unions, local authorities, the French government and a new potential investor in the Revin, France plant.

  • Evaluated plans on long term sustainability for four factories in Italy,
  • Continue dialog with union representatives on labor rights.

  • Agreements for a social plan and new ownership In Revin, France.

  • Downsizing or closures for factories in Mariestad, Sweden (2014), Satu Mare, Romania (2014), Orange, Australia (2015).

  • Aid employees to find new jobs in Australia, Europe.

  • Announcements of Italian plant evaluations.

  • Increase staff and factory worker numbers in Charlotte, Memphis, US, over five-year period.
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CEO Statement

In 2013 we continued to deliver above our growth target and delivered 4.5% in organic sales growth.

CEO Statement

I'm convinced that raising product efficiency for the growing middle class is where long-term shareholder value creation lies.

Our products

Electrolux is the only appliance manufacturer in the industry to offer complete solutions for both consumers and professionals. The focus is on innovative and energy-efficient products in the premium segments.

Sustainability

Achieving the Group's vision of sustainability leadership is crucial to realizing the business strategy. The objective is to develop smarter, more accessible, resource-efficient solutions that meet people's needs and improve their lives. Read the comprehensive sustainability performance review.

Awards & recognition

Financial Reporting

Net sales for the Electrolux Group in 2013 amounted to SEK 109,151m, as against SEK 109,994m in the previous year. The organic sales growth was 4.5%, while currencies had an impact of -5.3%.

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