As an industrial player in the silicone field, Sterne masters extrusion, injection, overmolding, and co-extrusion into industrial environment and clean rooms. Located in Cavaillon, in the south-east of France, in Provence, Sterne, member of Group EXSTO, owns nowadays sqm 4,000 factory including sqm 700 of clean rooms, classified ISO 6, ISO 7 and ISO 8. The company has been set up according to a quality system management in respect with ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 13485: 2016 standards.
Interview with Karine Migliorini, Marketing & Communication Manager at STERNE.
Easy Engineering: Tell us about your Corporate Social Responsibility practices?
Karine Migliorini: If CSR has been in the news for some years now, it is a reality for Sterne, since always. People and the impact we have on our environment are part of our concerns and innovations. In 2021, after being labeled 2* Positive Workplace, which was a great recognition to our engagement; we have decided to continue improving ourself, making CSR a central issue, not an option in 2023. Our purpose is now oriented to “provide innovative silicone solutions, to achieve responsible industrial performance”. More detail on our CSR strategy here: https://www.sterne-silicone-rubber.com/sterne-elastomeres-commitments-and-csr.htm
E.E: How do your CSR practices improve the well-being of the community and society?
K.M: We are concerned about everyone getting a chance. We support people with disabilities who represent 20% of staff. We are committed to the young people and job seekers by opening our doors for short or long internships, or just to visit our plant. We are happy to share our experiences. Through local sponsorship, we want to contribute to raise awareness and allow anyone (not only our staff) to access and open up to cultural and sport activities.
E.E: What are your company’s views towards the environment and sustainability?
K.M: As a responsible industry, we are concerned about minimizing as much as possible the impact of our business activity on the environment. We are convinced that tomorrow is built today. All actions count. The sum of all the action will make the difference in the future. As expert of silicones, a material which is eco-responsible as its lifespan is important, we believe in innovation. We work at developing new processes that are more environment friendly (i.e. less energy consuming), or new material that will increase the lifespan of the products or contribute saving lives.
E.E: What role does CSR play in the company for your employees?
K.M: We wish our employees to be happy to come to work, to feel safe at work and to be proud to be part of a company that is concerned about CSR issues. Sharing common values is a proof of staff engagement and a way to strengthen team spirit.
E.E: Tell us about types of CSR implemented like: environmental initiatives, charity work, ethical labor practices, volunteer projects etc.?
K.M: We recycle the most we can (papers, inks, cardboards, coffee pods…). We make sure that what is not recyclable is correctly evacuated and will not contaminate the environment. We have equipped the staff’s break room with washable tableware, and recycle bins. We regularly organize staff dedicated activities to raise awareness : in June, our staff has participated to a “CSR day” with a challenge around durable transportation (carpooling, alternative transports…). We have installed three beehives to fight for biodiversity.
E.E: What part plays CSR in the overall success of companies?
K.M: The image a company gives can sometimes make the difference. One is always more willing to choose as a partner a company that shares the same values. Clients and end-users pay more attention to the way a company is concerned about environment and social issues, and transparency develops trust.
E.E: What can you tell us about future projects or initiatives?
K.M: In continuity to our label, we have made the choice to develop a real CSR strategy. Our goal is to keep up with what is already in place, trace the actions, include and educate all members of our team to CSR, to bring to life, improve and develop constantly our strategy.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the rest of the year?
K.M: We are awaiting our new poll ashtrays, a fun way to encourage smokers in our staff to recycle cigarette butts. The beehives were recently installed, and we have set up an activity opened to our staff that consist of assisting the beekeeper when he comes for the control visits.
STERNE SAS
Tel. +33 (0)4 32 50 16 97 – Fax. +33 (0)4 90 71 47 53
ZAC du MIN – Rue Jean Monnet – 84300 CAVAILLON