Over the last ten years, many companies have taken action to help preserve the planet and support sustainable development with a CSR strategy.
Promises of “ecologically responsible behaviour” through responsible procurement policies, along with improvements in staff welfare or new offerings, have ushered in a real change of mindset within the hotel industry. Their implementation, through the introduction of a CSR policy, clearly implies commitment from stakeholders: partners and suppliers. Bergan’s commitment to its CSR strategy began in September 2018 through the BIOM Attitude programme (independent agency) and is testament to our concrete commitment when it comes to Sustainable Development.
But what is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
It’s a company’s responsibility for the impact that its decisions and activities have on society and the environment. This translates into transparent and ethical behaviour that: contributes to sustainable development, including the health and welfare of society; takes into account the expectations of stakeholders; complies with applicable laws and international standards; is an integral part of the organisation and is implemented in its relations (definition of corporate social responsibility according to the ISO 26000 standard).
This definition explicitly links corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.
This voluntary commitment allows us to strike a balance between economic, social, environmental and societal factors, whether in our activities or our interactions with customers, suppliers, local stakeholders, etc.
Like our customers, Bergan attaches great importance to social and environmental indicators in our procurement practices. This is measured on a practical level by the BIOM indicator, which shows that 35% of our suppliers are local (regional) and that 74% of our suppliers are located in France.
Bergan has always favoured, local, sustainable and socially responsible production practices wherever possible. The company is located in France, in the Hauts de France region. Here, it creates, develops and produces its custom-made linen in its own professional sewing workshops. Bergan offers its customers quality textiles “Made in France”, drawing upon specific expertise and exclusive services.
All our textile products are Oeko-Tex (1) certified and we are currently developing a line of organic products under the GOTS (2) (Global Organic Standard Textile) label for our bed and bath linen, with table linen to follow at a later date.
(1) OEKO-TEX 100 is the first standard to certify textiles free from substances harmful to human health and the environment.
(2) The GOTS (GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD) label is a global standard certifying the organic origin of textiles (made from at least 75% organic materials). It also guarantees the use of socially responsible and environmentally-friendly production methods at every stage of production and processing (the use of heavy metals, formaldehyde, GMO enzymes and carcinogenic amines is forbidden). This is a very reliable standard that takes into account environmental and human criteria.
We are mindful of the environment and have put in place a textile recycling scheme in partnership with an association that works in Africa and makes clothing and household linen from unused fabric. To limit our environmental impact and protect natural resources, such as the water in our rivers, Bergan’s bath linen range (Hawaii and Floride) offers textiles which are safer for the environment, reducing the discharge of waste chemical products during industrial laundering processes. Through this initiative, Bergan has strengthened its “Made in Green” or “Ecologically Responsible” approach.
Since relocating at the beginning of 2019 to new, bigger premises, we have been able to provide new tools and workstations, larger and more user-friendly offices and better office equipment.
Proximity to our employee’s homes was an important factor in choosing our new premises: all our staff live within 15 km of our headquarters and workshops and our regional teams are located within 50 to 100 km of our customers and prospects.
Bergan’s ethical and impartial behaviour towards its customers and suppliers is evident. We have built enduring relationships with our strategic suppliers and subcontractors in the Hauts de France region, as well as throughout France and Europe (spinners, weavers, embellishers, embroiderers etc.) based on an objective and qualitative evaluation of their services each year. We also ensure that our employees are well aware of competition rules and good business conduct.
Our new premises offer our staff greater day-to-day comfort – a workplace with better flow and greater light, lunch and relaxation facilities (terrace area) and breath-taking views of the Flanders countryside!
Bergan’s recent recruitment drives have focused on both training young people in the textile industry and encouraging senior members of the workforce to undertake professional transition. What matters most to Bergan is the individual, their motivation and personality. The “human” factor is central to our professions, which require expertise, rigour and consistency.
Participating in the ‘BIOM Attitude’ programme has allowed us to measure and add value to Bergan’s contribution to the local area and France as a whole.
The financial and societal audit phase carried out by the independent agency BIOM Attitude has allowed us to analyse Bergan’s good practices in terms of social, economic and environmental responsibility and obtain our own « % BIOM » indicator.
