Socially responsible business
We want to make a positive impact on our local environment, too. We ask ourselves how we can prompt local improvements to environmental protection and how we can motivate people to play their part. We want to act as a role model for other companies and be proactively involved in various local projects. Environmental, social, cultural, and sports initiatives are all equally important here.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As a family business we attach great importance to supporting the work of local, non-profit initiatives in the areas of culture, sport, education, environmental protection and social commitment. Clubs that are characterized by voluntary commitment in particular achieve outstanding results. We recognize that the regular income of sports clubs, such as membership fees and ticket sales, is often not enough to make the necessary investments. As a family business it is important to us to strengthen the activities of these clubs as a reliable partner through donations and sponsorship. This support enables us to help clubs and organizations and at the same time offer our employees special activities. It also increases our visibility in the region as a company and employer. In times of economic uncertainty, it is particularly important for us to actively fulfill our social responsibility in the region. With a commitment of over EUR 500,000 in the form of donations and sponsorship we would like to be a supportive partner. Below you will find a selection of the projects that we and our subsidiaries support.
| Uzin Utz SE (in EUR) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Donations and sponsoring | 568,801 | 625,549 | 398,550 |
Grünfinder
Since 2017 we have been reinforcing our commitment to the region by supporting the "Grünfinder" project, an initiative of the Ulm/Donau-Iller Children's Foundation that was developed specifically for disadvantaged children. The project is based on a nature education concept and aims to give children from socially disadvantaged families a basic understanding of nature and the environment and to encourage them to spend their free time actively. In line with our commitment to the "WIN Charta" we make an annual contribution of EUR 5,000 to support the "Grünfinder" and their valuable work. Last year Julian Utz presented the donation certificate at the big anniversary and congratulated the children's foundation on its 10th anniversary.
Support for housing construction for low-income families
In the U.S. low-income families are struggling to find affordable housing as local housing prices continue to rise and affordable housing options become more limited. For a sustainable community it is necessary to be involved in the community and care for the common good beyond one's own needs. That's why a team of volunteers, consisting of our employees from Uzin Utz North America Inc. in Waco, joined together on a Saturday in the workshop of the non-profit organization "Waco Habitat for Humanity" to help an American family build an affordable home. They were able to build 42 frames for doors and windows. Our employees showed great teamwork and craftsmanship. You can find more information about the organization here: https://www.habitat.org/
Volunteering for the UHCW charity organization
At the end of December 2023 dedicated employees of Uzin Utz United Kingdom Ltd. collected donations for the charity University Hospital Conventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) at the University Hospital Conventry. The organization supports various healthcare projects to improve the wellbeing of patients, staff and relatives. In a Christmas atmosphere, thanks to the volunteer efforts of our staff, vital donations were collected and a contribution to a better and healthier future was made. The hospital entrance was transformed into a festive stage and the sound of Christmas carols put the entire hospital environment in a festive mood. We look forward to continuing our commitment to the community in the years to come.
Tree planting campaign of Uzin Utz South Pacific Ltd. in New Zealand
As a complete flooring systems supplier in New Zealand, Uzin Utz South Pacific Ltd. is aware of our responsibility to the environment. We are therefore delighted that we have been able to actively support a greener future by promoting local biodiversity. Working with a local scout group, our team at Uzin Utz South Pacific Ltd. planted 1,000 native trees in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This partnership commitment not only has a positive impact on the climate and the local ecosystem, but also on the local community.
Donations
Our CEO Julian Utz presented this year's Christmas donation of EUR 5,000 to Pastor Peter Heiter from the Ulm Vesperkirche. This initiative by the Evangelical Church of St. Paul provides needy and lonely people with hot meals and take-away snack bags during the cold winter months. We are happy to be able to provide encounters at eye level and a community with other people through this support.
To mark the company's 111th anniversary in 2022, the U-MOVE Challenge involved collecting training minutes from sports-loving employees. For every "MOVER" who reached the target of 111 minutes in 11 different sports, EUR 11 were to be added to the donation pot. In the year under review the amount achieved was converted into a donation and donated to the charitable project "Tafelladen" in Ulm. The volunteers gratefully accepted our donations, which included essential staple foods and urgently needed hygiene products.
PARTNERSHIPS
UZIN UTZ continues its partnership with SSV Ulm 1846 soccer in the 3rd league
UZIN UTZ has been supporting the traditional SSV Ulm 1846 soccer club for many years. In June 2023 the Ulm soccer players finally achieved the long-awaited promotion to the third division - this had to be celebrated, also at UZIN UTZ! The Management Board quickly invited all colleagues for a stadium sausage during the lunch break. UZIN UTZ continues to stand behind SSV as a loyal partner and literally supports the team with its logo on the jersey. Thanks to a fixed ticket contingent, all colleagues regularly have the opportunity to watch SSV's home games at the Donaustadion.
UZIN UTZ and ratiopharm ulm celebrate German basketball championship
Loyalty pays off! UZIN UTZ has been sponsoring the Ulm basketball team ratiopharm ulm since 2014. The long-standing partnership cannot be overlooked in the ratiopharm arena thanks to the LED perimeter advertising, the "Wischerkids" and the fans' own lodge. In June 2023 the team from Ulm achieved something unexpected and caused a sensation for the first time since the club was founded: ratiopharm ulm won the German Basketball Championship. The whole of Ulm celebrated with the team, including UZIN UTZ. Cup-winning photos were taken at the ice cream van and photo box at the Ulm site. In addition, after a long coronavirus break, ratiopharm ulm hosted the "CompanyCup" corporate basketball competition, in which various companies competed against each other. The UZIN UTZ team achieved a proud third place.
UZIN UTZ in running fever at the Ulm Einstein Runs
UZIN UTZ has been supporting the Ulm Einstein Runs as a sponsoring partner since the beginning of 2022. The running events in Ulm have now become an important part of our regional commitment. Thanks to the UZIN UTZ carpet mats in the start and finish areas of the runs, UZIN UTZ cannot be overlooked as a partner. At the tenth Ulm Women's Run in July 2023 around 40 running enthusiasts took to the starting line, after which they celebrated together at the UZIN UTZ stand on Münsterplatz. Around 40 employees also took part in the various running disciplines at the Einstein Marathon in the fall. Delicious refreshments awaited the UZIN UTZ running team in the finish area and all finishers were able to take a souvenir photo in the photo box at the stand.
