Ferrero presents its third report on Corporate Social Responsibility

 Pictured (l-r) Ambassador Vincenzo Schioppa, Francesca Poggiali, Mthobi Tyamzashe, Sello Hatang, Mohamed Eisa and Dorah Nteo

16 November 2012

The Ambassador of Italy in South Africa, Mr. Vincenzo Schioppa hosted a Roundtable on “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Growth: the Ferrero case study” at his Residence in Pretoria.

The Italian multinational company Ferrero, one of the world leaders in the confectionary industry, in 2009 established a “Social Enterprise” which produces part of its products for the African and Asian markets in South Africa. Ferrero Group was established in Alba, a small town in the northern Italian province of Piedmont in 1946. A family-owned business, the group is the 4th biggest international business in the sector and operates 41 companies and 18 production plants across the world. In the financial year 2010/2011, its turnover exceeded 7.2 billion Euros. Ferrero Group has 22 000 employees worldwide.   
Under the header Ferrero Social Enterprises, the Group is present in South Africa since 2006 and in 2009 built a Ferrero “Social Enterprise” and an industrial plant in Walkerville (Midvaaal/Gauteng).

The panel was chaired by the Ambassador and facilitated by  Mthobi Tyamzashe, former CEO of Vodaphone Foundation, and included Mr. Mohamed Eisa, Regional Director of UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation), Ms. Dorah Nteo, Chief Director for Environmental Sustainability at the Department for Environmental Affairs, Sello Hatang, Communications and Outreach Manager, Nelson Mandela Foundation and Mrs Francesca Poggiali, Ferrero CSR Office.

Ferrero’s third CSR report is titled “Sharing values, to create value”. The report details the CSR engagement of the company which focuses on a variety of related areas: its labor and work policies (in regard to training, diversity, gender rights, staff welfare); respect for – and protection of – the consumer (hence, Ferrero’s strategies on nutrition, communication); environmental concern and protection (through the efficient use of resources and pollution prevention measures); the fight against fraud and corruption.  Ferrero’ third CSR report provides clear indications on how Ferrero aims to achieve growth, through innovative trade approaches which, at the same time, contribute to preserve and strengthen social and environmental sustainability at local level.

As for the supply and use of its raw materials, for instance, Ferrero is deeply committed to guarantee not only their highest standards in term of quality, safety and freshness, but also of their “traceability”. For this reason it has committed to buy - “certified as sustainable” - 100 % of palm oil and coffee, by 2015; and 100% of  cacao and traceable hazelnuts, by 2020.

SCR represents the very essence of Ferrero’s business ethics, something in which the Ferrero Family strongly believes and that has become an integral part of the Group’s culture. This is reflected also in the Ferrero Foundation (the motto of which is “Work, Create, Donate”) and the Ferrero Social Enterprises. The former, created in 1983, has progressively broadened its horizons to become today a renowned philanthropic, social and cultural center. The Ferrero Social Enterprises were created in 2005, creating job and training opportunities and thus promoting conditions for sustainable development within the local communities.  They also promote good health care and education for children living in the areas. The South African Social Enterprise is in Midvaal (South of Johannesburg) and, among its various social activities, the Group recently financed the restructuring of the Japie Greyling Primary school (for children up to Grade 7). The school was inaugurated on 17th of July in the presence of the Minister for Basic Education Angie Motshegka as part of the “94+ schools for Madiba”, as part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations.