Environment

Schindler's approach to environmental issues mirrors the way it approaches its business overall. It systematically analyses its activities and focuses on those areas where it can have maximum effect, such as energy efficiency.

Around the world with a solar powered vehicle

The Swiss Louis Palmer, teacher and pioneer in solar power vehicles, aimed to show that it is possible to travel around the world in a vehicle powered by solar energy. To-gether with apprentices of Schindler Switzerland, a solar-powered vehicle was pro-duced, and 18 months and 38 countries later Palmer returned to Campus Ebikon, Switzerland on December 12, 2008, having made his ecological dream come true.

Schindler Safety Convention

To underline the high value of employee safety within the Schindler Group, a world-wide "Safety Convention" took place in June 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland. Thirty-nine safety and health (S&H) managers from Group companies and factories around the world took part and shared best demonstrated practices (BDP's) concerning tools, materials and processes. All S&H managers were aligned on their leadership responsibility and the proactive role that they had to play in strengthening the safety culture.

Schindler Germany tests the GM HydroGen4

Schindler Germany is one of nine partners testing the GM HydroGen4 as part of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP). GM HydroGen 4 is the name of a new type of vehi-cle with zero-carbon dioxide emissions and no engine noise. Produced by General Motors and Opel, the eco-friendly vehicle uses harmless hydrogen as its fuel.

Berlin as pioneer
Since November 2008, the Berlin branch of Schindler Germany has been testing the fuel-cell vehicle as part of the daily routine of its maintenance technicians. After 850 km, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The HydroGen4 is reliable and there is a long waiting list to have a test run with this innovative car.

Mass production as target
GM is still working on improving the hydrogen technology and on getting the vehicle ready for mass production. Schindler is proud to be part of this cutting-edge technol-ogy in its commitment to save energy and to reduce the environmental impact of its vehicle fleet.

ISO 14001 certification

In 2000, Schindler introduced an environmental management system for the corporate function area „Technology and Strategic Supply Management (TS)". This TS area, ISO 14001 certified, comprises Corporate Research and Development as well as Strategic Corporate Purchasing.

Since then, further sites were ISO 14001 certified:

Europe:
Components plant for electronic control systems in Locarno, Switzerland;
Field Operations of Spain and Sweden

Asia Pacific:
Schindler Lifts Ltd., Hong Kong;
Schindler Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., China;
Beijing Branch of Schindler (China) Elevator Co. Ltd.;
Schindler Singapore and Antah Schindler Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

North America:
Morristown, Gettysburg, Holland and two sites in Clinton