1.0 Introduction

Heiton Steel Sustainability Strategy

Heiton Steel want to build a more sustainable future and there are five priority areas of our sustainability strategy. It is important that we work with supplier partners who share our ambitions and will help us to deliver them.

2.0 Sustainability Framework

Our strategy aligns with the eight UN Sustainable Development Goals that Heiton Steel can have the biggest impact on:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 5: Gender Equality
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13: Climate Action
• Goal 15: Life on Land

PRIORITY AREAS

PLANET

• Climate Change
• Waste
• Biodiversity
• Plastics & Packaging
• Water
• Pollution

CUSTOMER & PRODUCT

• Raw Materials
• Product Safety & Quality
• Resource Use & Circular Economy
• More Sustainable Products

PEOPLE

• Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Training & Development
• Upskilling Senior Leaders on ESG
• Health, Safety & Wellbeing

COMMUNITY

• Monetary Donations
• Goods & Services Donations
• Volunteering
• Fundraising & Raising Awareness of Important Community Issues

ETHICS & STRONG GOVERNANCE

• IT & Cyber Security
• Regulatory Compliance
• Responsible Sourcing (Supply Chain Management)
• Privacy & Data Security

3.0 SUSTAINABILITY RESPONSIBILITY

Heiton Steel is Ireland’s largest and oldest Steel Stockholder. We are located at the head office site at Ashfield, Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Heiton Steel is a destination brand of Chadwicks Group Limited, who in turn is a subsidiary of Grafton Group PLC.
We are one of Ireland’s largest manufacturers of Cut and Bent rebar and carry an extensive range of Mesh and Accessories. Heiton Steel is fully CARES approved with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification. Heiton Steel Management are responsible for selecting the criteria in line with BES 6001 Framework for Sustainable Sourcing.

3.1 RESPONSIBLE SOURCING

The responsible sourcing of Heiton Steel can affect society and the environment, therefore Heiton Steel are committed to the promotion and implementation of responsible practices through the supply chain by continuously reviewing the following Sustainability Principles:

• Ethics
• Legal Compliance
• Management Systems
• Supply Chain Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Complaints and Prosecutions
• Fundamental Rights at Work
• Health & Safety
• Climate Change and Energy
• Resource Use
• Site Stewardship
• Water
• Waste Management
• Transport Impacts
• Employment and Skills
• Local Communities
• Financial Stability
• Contribution to the built environment

3.2 COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS

All applicable local, national and ratified international laws and regulations bound by Heiton Steel shall be introduced accordingly.

3.3 MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Heiton Steel operate a quality management system that complies with the requirements of BS EN 9001, BS8666 and the relevant CARES Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules for the processing of reinforcement steel products. Heiton Steel also comply with the Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety requirements as set out in BS EN ISO 14001 and BS ISO 45001.

3.4 PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT

Engagement across Heiton Steel Supply Chain especially with Suppliers is an essential part of achieving targets. Suppliers will be required to share detailed data on products supplied in accordance with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct. Suppliers are obliged to adhere to the Heiton Steel Supplier Code of Conduct while ensuring all materials delivered are documented and fully traceable from Suppliers with an Integrated Quality Management System.

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

4.1 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Heiton Steel are committed to the monitoring and reduction of the intensity of its greenhouse gas emissions and committed to identifying all opportunities where GHG emissions may be reduced. Our goal is to achieve net zero GHG by 2050.
Currently, solar panels are in place where the output from these is continuously monitored.
Suppliers are being reviewed on the basis where fossil-free steel shall be the preferred option.

Heiton Steel are committed to maintaining processes to be efficient. Renewable energy as a proportion of total energy used shall aim for a 1% increase. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) performance based on an EPD weighted average of Suppliers shall aim for a reduction of 0.01kg-CO2 per tonne purchased.

4.2 RESOURCE USE AND PRODUCT CIRCULARITY

Heiton Steel are committed to assessing product circularity and Life Cycle Assessment for the Cut & Bend process by the efficient use of resources. The recycled content of materials shall be monitored and recorded on a continuous basis. Heiton Steel will work with suppliers to maintain the current recycled content and aim to improve by 0.2%.

4.4 WASTE PREVENTION & WASTE MANAGEMENT

Heiton Steel are committed to reducing waste sent to landfill/incinerator and to controlling waste arising from its Cut & Bend operations. The waste generated is collected by an approved waste contractor that has a waste management licence for the treatment, transfer, or disposal of waste. Results of all waste collected are communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
Recycled waste target will continue to be maintained as low as possible. Improvements in process efficiencies have assisted with reducing the volume of recyclable waste by 14%.
Our target for by-products in rebar production is 0kg per Tonne of Steel

4.5 WATER USAGE

Heiton Steel promotes efficient water usage and the reduction of the intensity of water used within the Cut & Bend operations. Water usage is not a significant resource used within the process.

4.6 TRANSPORT IMPACTS

Heiton Steel views employees commuting, business travel, and downstream distribution to be a minor contribution to the total GHG emissions. However, they are still proactive in using the most effective transportation methods for materials, goods, and people to lower the impact on the environment.
The majority of Heiton Steel employees travel by car to their place of employment on a daily basis. Where possible, public transport via bus can be used.

4.7 BIODIVERSITY AND SITE STEWARDSHIP

Heiton Steel is committed to biodiversity and has a Biodiversity Action Plan to help protect and enhance the natural environment and its biodiversity. This includes the protection of habitats and native wildlife through the promotion of a wild landscape area – Don't Mow, Let It Grow Initiative. Hedgerows are encouraged to bloom and are not cut back in Spring, along with the planting of perennial plants.

5.0 SOCIAL ASPECTS

5.1 EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS

Heiton Steel are committed to respecting and protecting the human rights of all employees in the workplace. The learning and development of employees in the workplace is key to the success of business performance. A formal employee induction programme is implemented to communicate key information for health & safety, human rights, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and business ethics.

Heiton Steel implement appropriate and transparent human resource practices for recruitment, contracts, fair wages, and working hours.

Chadwicks Group along with Heiton Steel host an appreciation and recognition awards (CARAs) on an annual basis to celebrate and thank colleagues. It is important to Heiton Steel to continue to give back and show their appreciation to their employees.

Heiton Steel are committed to maintaining/exceeding the target of a minimum of 10 hours of training per employee per year and have a minimum of at least 5% female gender balance. The target for Lost Time Frequency Rate (LTIFR) ideal target would also be set to zero.

5.2 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Heiton Steel are committed to giving back to the local community. Community is also core within the Chadwicks Group, of which supporting the local community is important. This is noticeable through a number of different initiatives and partnerships.

Heiton Steel are committed to maintaining the target of receiving zero community complaints.

6.0 SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES & GOALS

SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

• IMS: Introduction of Sustainability into the Integrated Management Systems
• TRACEABILITY: Continue with the use of the Armour System to have full traceability back to mill certificate of materials product-life-cycle available for all stakeholders
• BIODIVERSITY:
  • Promote planting of pollen-rich shrubs/flowers
  • Membership of All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to improve biodiversity
• HEALTH & SAFETY:
  • Reduce noise levels of operations on the production floor
  • Introduce gated entrance into the Cut & Bend operations
  • Hardcore surface steel stock yard
• SUPPLIERS: Work with key suppliers to reduce carbon footprint
• OPERATIONS: Allocation and investment of resources to improve operations
• COMMUNITY: Increase involvement and engagement with community projects

7.0 Conclusion

Heiton Steel will continue to be committed to the Sustainability process, being a sustainable producer of cut & bend reinforcement steel and purchasing from sustainable Suppliers. We have committed to becoming net zero across our value chain no later than 2050 and will work with all our Suppliers to make this a reality. Heiton Steel are committed to documenting, maintaining and reporting Key Performance Indicators and continue to drive improvements throughout the process. .

8.0 HEITON STEEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

See our page Accreditations, Policies & Certifications

9.0 MATERALITY MATRIX

10.0 MATERALITY MATURITY

11.0 STAKEHOLDERS

Heiton Steel, Employees, Management, Union

• Management are responsible for ensuring the company image and good reputation are in line with sustainable manufacturing practices
• Consistent good manufacturing practices without high customer complaints
• Day-to-Day Management of Operations

Customers

• Provide a reliable finished product that is sustainably manufactured
• Listening to customers' needs and expectations and meeting them, along with receiving customer satisfaction feedback
• Responding to customers in an effective manner by delivering orders on time

Suppliers, Hauliers

• Consistent supply of raw materials
• On-time delivery
• Reviewing performance on an ongoing basis

Insurers, Brokers, Banks

• Implementation of all necessary insurance cover requirements
• Meeting banking requirements
• Continuous reviews from accounts departments

H.S.A, E.P.A, CARES, Government

• Meeting legal requirements
• Review of new local, regional, and international laws and implementation as required
• Safe working environment for all employees and sub-contractors
• Continued certification

Local Community, County Council

• Compliance with Local County Council requirements
• Giving back to the local community by providing work opportunities
• Financially giving back to the local community by raising funds for charities / volunteering

IT, Social Media

• Traceability software to track metrics and data
• Awareness of Sustainability plans by communicating to all stakeholders using social media and the company website, along with responding to enquiries