Driving Sustainability Forward | HellermannTyton's Green Revolution

Global manufacturing giant HellermannTyton marks World Environment Day 2024 by celebrating the significant milestones achieved by the Johannesburg-based branch and its passionate team of innovators.

The South African leg of this worldwide manufacturing giant continues to use pioneering, territory-specific strategies to position themselves as sustainability trailblazers, earning global recognition and setting new standards among their peers.

With branches in 40 countries and counting, HellermannTyton has been producing and manufacturing products for fastening, fixing, identifying and protecting cables and their connecting components for over 50 years, offering turnkey solutions that not only speak to a myriad of industries, but include bespoke offerings with a customer-centric culture first and foremost. 

It makes sense that HellermannTyton’s sustainability policy would follow suite and lead the charge with ground-breaking new ways to keep not just its carbon footprint low, but ensure that future generations will have access to equal business production factors, resources and opportunities too. 

The South African macro environment is undeniably challenging, and recognising that lasting change requires more than just long-term goals, HellermannTyton has embedded its sustainability ethos into everyday operations to counteract the difficulties of the environment. 

By prioritising incremental actions that collectively drive meaningful progress, the company not only focuses on the bigger picture but strives for needle-shifting on a daily basis – and in turn, this comprehensive approach has made the sustainability rollout undeniably impressive. 

Encompassing significant operational changes, infrastructural rebuilds, shifts in company culture, and evolving labour sentiments, HellermannTyton’s Devon Farrell offers a firsthand look at some of the top-tier sustainability solutions currently being deployed.

From a solid waste perspective, all polymers that land up in waste bins are now required to run through a recycling process, making all HellermannTyton polymers recycled for future use.

Antiquated machine cooling systems using large amounts of water have been replaced with a chiller system that circulates current water that cool down via refrigeration, using recycled water to keep manufacturing plant equipment cool. This results in far less water loss due to no spillage, evaporation or waste.

HellermannTyton is currently progressing with a project replacing all internal single-use cardboard storage with long-use containers to avoid waste and repeat purchase of disposable cardboard. 

HellermannTyton has replaced full hydraulic machinery in the plant with hybrid machines that dramatically reduce oil use for electricity and oil combinations, reducing oil consumption and waste, and ultimately reducing chemical waste being poured back into the environment.

The company currently operates on two-thirds hybrid machinery and aims to be at full hybrid capacity within 4 – 5 years to align with the international branches. The hybrid machines also drastically reduce noise pollution.

As a company that relied heavily on the country’s electricity grid, HellermannTyton has introduced 30% solar capacity. The switch to solar power is projected to cut over 1000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

Read more about the ground-breaking installation below.

Arguably, one of the most notable initiatives implemented by the company is the 'Toolbox Talks' program. This program is dedicated not only to addressing health and safety regulations in the workplace, but also to fostering a shift in the workforce's mindset regarding environmental considerations. Through a series of bi-weekly talks, the program empowers, educates, and encourages a change in perspective through engaging and interactive communication sessions. By ensuring that this change permeates every level of the organisation, the program aims to effect meaningful and lasting change across all levels in HellermannTyton.
 

With overarching objectives and a commitment to international sustainability standards, the advancements made by HellermannTyton South Africa underscore the dedication and vision of its forward-thinking team. Leveraging insights, guidance, and support from its global network, HellermannTyton consistently delivers excellence in environmentally responsible business practices, for now and the future of our planet.

Discover the specific targets and activities in our sustainability focus areas by clicking on the sections below.