Our principles for responsible, sustainable business
Sustainable business to us means combining economic success with ethical responsibility and conscious action. At the heart of our operations is a values-driven approach – one that champions human rights, protects the environment, and promotes transparency, integrity and open communication. We believe in honest dialogue with all our stakeholders – from employees and business partners to our wider network of collaborators. Clear values and strategic goals guide every business decision we make, and we aim to build a culture of openness where everyone feels informed, involved and valued.
Unsere Stakeholder
We like to stay in regular contact with our stakeholders, whether that’s by phone, email, in person, at trade fairs or at our offices. These conversations help us understand their needs, expectations and concerns – including where things might not be going so well. Communication isn’t a one-way street. We invite everyone to engage in open dialogue with us at any time.
| Stakeholders | Key concerns | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Owners | Reliable figures, security, responsible business practices, clear strategic direction and meaningful goals, profit expectations, long-term business continuity, good company reputation, positive corporate culture and communication, increased resilience, employee involvement in company development | Profit, company value, reputation and external feedback, competitiveness, capacity for innovation, internal atmosphere, conversations with employees and idea-sharing |
| Employees | Secure employment, work-life balance, fair pay, good working conditions, opportunities for development, a pleasant and safe working environment, effective communication and information sharing, transparency around company goals, health support measures, goals and career prospects, positive company image, ability to contribute ideas and drive change | Pay, complaints, training opportunities, loyalty, satisfaction, company image, sickness rate, staff turnover, workplace atmosphere, participation in the HEBIE GROUP Academy |
| Customers | Help with development and design, innovative products, in-person contact and trade fair exchanges, good margins and discounts, good value for money, trust, product safety and non-hazardous materials, high quality and reliability, strong image for Hebie and tubus, good marketing, credible claims, long-term relationships, high service level, delivery reliability, clear communication, partnership approach, product training, transparent and useful information, helpful POS materials, marketing support for end customers, good handling of complaints, reliability, high supplier ratings, eco-consciousness and reduced emissions, sustainable packaging | Sales, profit margin, number of customers, repeat business, market presence, customer happiness, customer loyalty, feedback and reviews, new customer enquiries, cancellations, overdue payments, trade show attendance, carbon footprint, use of raw materials and resources, Code of Conduct, ESG requests, REACH declarations |
| End customers | Good value for money, trust, product safety and non-hazardous materials, fair production, high quality and reliability, credible claims, friendly personal service, repair options, warranty, clear and honest information | Number of enquiries, online reviews, social media interactions |
| Suppliers | Orders, long-term collaboration, mutual benefit, on-time payments, good flow of information, appropriate volumes and pricing, planning certainty, communication on sustainability developments and requirements (EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), etc.) | Delivery times, orders, audits, visits, communication, economic and social standards, supply chain transparency, Code of Conduct, REACH declarations |
| Networks/ associations/ initiatives |
Developing shared positions or standards on industry topics, cooperation on sustainability projects, representing industry interests, political advocacy for the transport transition, fair market conditions, joint and regional initiatives, strengthening democracy, mobility transition | Industry standards, political achievements in transport policy (transport transition), knowledge sharing |
| Influencers | Working with brands, reviewing products, advocating for better mobility, sharing the feeling of freedom and adventure that comes with cycling | Number of enquiries, mentions/tags on social media, user-generated content |
| Media | Mobility transition, the “Made in Germany” label, financial interests (advertising revenue), strengthening bicycle culture | Number of enquiries, conversations, interviews |
| Universities and research | Bachelor’s and master’s theses, collaboration on sustainability projects and industry topics, knowledge development on alternative materials | |
| Government | Local economic development and investment, environmental and climate protection, business tax revenue, mobility concept, energy transition, secure employment | Working groups, site visits |
| Nature (silent stakeholder) |
Ecosystem conservation, renewal of natural resources, sustainable raw material extraction, biodiversity preservation, safeguarding and equitable use of rare earths, natural CO₂ storage, oxygen generation | Data and statistics, studies |
Leading with integrity
Our company values are the foundation of how we work together and shape our culture. Even our mission statement highlights key principles such as reliability, down-to-earth thinking, a strong focus on our employees and a collaborative approach with our business partners. Development is very dynamic, which is why we always reflect on our values in order to shape them in a future-oriented and mutually sustainable way. For a high level of identification.
our mission statement
Commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
By committing to 11 of the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals that align with our values, the HEBIE GROUP has made it clear that we put sustainable business practices – and the protection of people, the planet and the climate – above exploitation or waste. We’re also working to embed sustainability into the way we think and act across the company. And we’re not stopping there. From now on, every new team member will receive a detailed introduction to our CSR programme as part of their onboarding, and all staff will receive a personal copy of our CSR workbook.
Building resilient communities and financial independence
A key part of how we operate is our commitment to financial sustainability – the foundation that allows us to keep growing our businesses for the long term. Financial independence is central to our philosophy, in that we aim to fund future investments ourselves rather than taking on the risks of external financing. This approach fosters sustainable, organic growth – even if it means accepting that certain projects may not be implemented immediately in some areas. We also believe each of our products should be able to stand on its own two feet financially, so we avoid cross-subsidising from other areas of the business. This helps us build a resilient HEBIE GROUP that’s better equipped to weather external shocks, global disruptions and times of crisis.
CSR assessment for transparency in the supply chain
As a medium-sized company, we recognise that influencing larger suppliers can be challenging. This is why, in addition to conducting random site visits, we already assess our key suppliers through CSR audits. These reviews focus on evaluating their sustainability performance in both social and environmental areas. This gives us a broad picture of how suppliers are performing in areas such as:
- Occupational health and safety
- Fair pay
- Working hours and rest periods
- No child labour
- Employee rights
- Human rights
- Equal opportunities
- Use of natural resources
- Climate and environmental protection
- Climate-related emissions
- Climate-related emissions Reporting and international standards
- Anti-corruption
Our goal is to step up these efforts in future and improve how we assess our suppliers. We’re still at a relatively early stage, but this is the only way to ensure that future insights can be evaluated on a consistent and transparent basis. We want to minimise risks in our supply chain and build better relationships with our stakeholders.
As part of our focus on responsibility and materiality, we have set strategic sustainability targets in this area (see our CSR strategy). We view developments such as more sustainable procurement practices as part of an ongoing process – one that calls for regular review and continual improvement.
A responsible future
We don’t tolerate any kind of behaviour that mocks, excludes, discriminates against, harasses, bullies or undermines the dignity of others. If we ever see it happening, our leadership team will step in and take action. Our stance on this is clear: “Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be respectful, be fair, and be mindful of your actions – both in the workplace and beyond.” We also expect the same of our suppliers.
Our quality management system lays the foundation for clear processes, up-to-date practices and transparency. It also helps us identify areas with potential room for improvement. Aligned with the ISO standard, it promotes a process-oriented approach across the HEBIE GROUP by focusing on specific tasks or groups of tasks. We apply and continuously refine the system at Hebie in Bielefeld and tubus in Münster as part of our commitment to ongoing improvement. This ensures traceable workflows, credibility with our customers and the ability to meet evolving customer expectations.
We take our responsibilities under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) seriously. Our in-house data protection coordinators at Hebie in Bielefeld and tubus in Münster are on hand to provide expert support. Together with our external data protection officer and established procedures, we’re committed to protecting the personal data of our employees, customers and suppliers – and to upholding their rights.
Another key focus for us is building long-term success through sustainable profits. That’s why we prioritise sound business practices that ensure financial stability and steady growth rather than chasing short-term sales.
Job securityHere at the HEBIE GROUP, making sure our people feel secure in their roles is a top priority – just like protecting human rights and ensuring workplace health and safety. After all, our people are our most important asset. They’re the ones driving progress, enabling change and securing our long-term success.
Product responsibilityThe HEBIE GROUP produces parts for the cleanest mode of transport out there – the bicycle. We set the bar high when it comes to quality, safety and durability, and we expect the same standards from our business partners. That includes sharing all relevant product information so we can meet legal requirements and keep our documentation watertight.
“Sustainable Packaging” Project
You will soon find out more about our “Sustainable Packaging” funding project here..
