Governance

Responsible corporate governance for greater sustainability

More sustainability with responsible corporate governance

We act responsibly and fairly, and we proactively look for the best solutions. For over 80 years, we have been committed to innovation, reacting quickly to requirements that promote climate-friendly developments and looking to the future with foresight. This is our contribution to promoting sustainability. For current and future generations.

Sustainability brochure

«As a family business, it is in our nature to think long-term»

Trafag is committed to long-term corporate management based on clear values, guidelines and transparent risk management. This enables decisions to be made that are fair to both current and future generations.

Robi, what is Trafag’s vision?

«Our vision is to offer our customers the most reliable sensor solutions.»

What does reliability mean in concrete terms?

«For us, reliability means that our sensors work without failures and have a long service life. This means that they not only guarantee process reliability, but are also sustainable.»

And what is Trafag’s mission?

«Our mission is to focus on those market segments where we can offer our customers high added value. This helps us to use our resources in a focused and effective manner. »

Robert Pfrunder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Trafag

What values characterise Trafag?

«Our values are ”Teamwork and fairness”, ”Exceptional and best performance” and ”Innovation and design”. We are not a public or listed company. Accordingly, our values are not claims that we use to promote our image to the outside world, but are in fact our internal compass. For me personally, respectful, appreciative and fair interaction at eye level, which is part of ”teamwork and fairness”, is particularly important. You need leadership and someone who ultimately makes the decisions. But there is no need for unnecessary hierarchies. All employees should get involved and help shape the future of Trafag.»

And how are these values put into practice by management and employees?

«The company values are discussed and adapted to new circumstances in regular workshops with the management team. This enables us to reach a consensus and ensure that all managers identify with the values and actively exemplify them. The role model function of managers is the most important factor in getting all other employees on board. Incidentally, employees were also able to express their views on the values at a general meeting. Involving everyone pays off. In this way, the values are actively lived, which characterises and strengthens our corporate culture. I notice this very clearly, for example, when I eat lunch in the cafeteria and talk to the various employees. They reflect the values and live them. I also regularly receive feedback from customers who are impressed by the Trafag culture after visiting the company. They tell me that the joy and pride of Trafag employees is palpable. This is probably the best proof that our values are not just lip service, but are really lived. To be honest, that also makes me proud.»

Let’s talk about governance:
What are Trafag’s most important guidelines?

«In addition to our values, our employee handbook provides important orientation. It is our compass, our guide. All our employees have access to the handbook, which is available online. This also applies to the entire process landscape and other documents. New employees receive appropriate training. The Code of Conduct is also binding and contains directives on the environment, safety, health, fair competition and data protection, among other things. To ensure that our guidelines are also adhered to in our supply chain, we require our suppliers to comply with our purchasing conditions and the Code of Conduct for suppliers.»

How does Trafag’s risk management work?

«We work with two tools that are embedded in the internal control system: a risk matrix and a traffic light system. As part of the risk matrix, we prioritise risks based on a quantitative assessment of their probability and consequences. The traffic light system is based on key figures for various areas of the company. Using the traffic light system, the entire management team compares the risk management objectives with the current situation once a quarter and decides on measures. In order to raise awareness of potential risks among all employees, the current version of the risk matrix is always displayed on the intranet homepage.»

How does the Trafag Board of Directors ensure sustainable company development?

«We are not a listed company that is forced to think in quarters and deliver short-term results. As a family business, it is in our nature to think long-term and act with foresight. This means that we accept short-term losses in order to achieve our long-term vision. In this way, we ensure our continued existence for generations to come.»

As Chairman of the Board of Directors, how do you assess the role and importance of the Trafag Board of Directors?

«The task of the entire Board of Directors is to set the strategic direction of the company, i.e. to set the sails correctly. I see the Board of Directors as a sparring partner for the operational management. It should support and advise the management. However, it is also important to take a critical view, scrutinise proposals and decisions and express constructive criticism. At Trafag, the Board of Directors does not just stand on the sidelines, but is actively involved. This is another reason why we keep it small with four members. This enables the efficient involvement of all members of the Board of Directors with their different skills and experience. Because here too, as in the entire workforce, each and every individual is important to ensure that we stay on course.»

«Respectful, appreciative and fair interaction at eye level is particularly important to me.»

We act in accordance with applicable guidelines and specifications – and with foresight

For us, compliance is not just a must, but a question of our responsibility, as a company. It ensures that everything that happens in the company is legally compliant, ethically correct and sustainable. This protects and strengthens us in the long term. We also act with foresight. This means we are prepared for new regulatory changes in good time.

How we ensure fair competitive behaviour

Trafag strictly adheres to the rules of the game that apply in the Swiss and international business centres: standards and laws according to the Swiss Code of Obligations, ISO standards, regulations of the Federal Coordination Commission for Occupational Safety and the Antitrust Law as well as competition regulations. The Board of Directors reviews our risk management and internal control system every year. We also ensure that strategic information does not leave the company. Finally, our trading partners are free to set their own resale prices or other sales conditions.

The goals we pursue in the area of governance and compliance

We have clear organisational, competence and signature regulations: we apply the dual control principle to all important decisions. Everyone who works at Trafag is trained in corporate values and risks. In addition, our annual financial statements are audited by an external auditor. Our accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Furthermore, we do not supply any products to sanctioned countries.

How we deal with data protection and what measures we take

Here, too, there are clear requirements in the form of the Data Protection Act. We also comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. To comply with these requirements, we have appointed an internal data protection officer

This article can also be found in our sustainability brochure:

Sustainability brochure

We take responsibility

The Code of Conduct is an important guideline for us. We use it to ensure that we meet sustainable standards as a company and as an employer and fulfil our responsibility towards the environment, our employees, our customers and society.

We want to communicate and act transparently, fairly and sustainably. That is why we have voluntarily decided to define a Code of conduct and comply with the corresponding rules. The main purpose of the work guidelines is to protect employees and ensure that they can work healthily and safely. There are also clear rules for dealing with customers, business partners and authorities. They are designed to ensure that all applicable laws and legal regulations are complied with. As a company, we also bear responsibility for our employees, society and the environment. To this end, we have social, moral and ethical standards that we consistently adhere to.

Creating corporate value responsibly

Responsible and successful long-term corporate management
Innovative, sustainable and competitive precision products
Customer-orientated, efficient and environmentally friendly processese
Adherence to laws (compliance) and guidelines and standards (conformance)

Acting responsibly as an employer

Qualified and motivated employees as a decisive competitive factor
Progressive, fair and safe working conditions
Career and further development opportunities
Equality, diversity and integration in a multicultural and multinational environment

Taking responsibility for the environment and the international community

Long-term ecological sustainability of business activities
Continuous improvement of products, processes and infrastructure in terms of resource consumption and emissions
Efficient and sustainable use of resources

Making an entrepreneurial contribution to the economy and society