On 18 November in the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, Erik de Ruijter, Director of the NRK (Dutch Rubber and Plastics Federation), announced the nominees for the PRIMA Ondernemen (Business) Award. An abbreviation for PRijs Innovatief MAatschappelijk verantwoord Ondernemen (Award for Innovative Corporate Social Responsibility), the PRIMA award recognises businesses active in the rubber and plastics industry who stand out for their sustainability and innovation when it comes to their business strategy, products and organisation. Bata Industrials is one of the nine nominated companies competing for the gold, silver and bronze PRIMA Ondernemen Awards to be presented on 21 January 2009.

As the promoter and spokesperson for the Dutch rubber and plastics industry, the NRK's objective is fourfold when it comes to the award. Its efforts are designed to strengthen:

• the collaboration and exchange of knowledge between institutes of higher education and businesses;
• the attention for sustainable development and innovation; 
• businesses’ added value and competitive position; 
• the positive image of the rubber and plastics industry in the eyes of consumers and the government.

    Photo: Nominees for the PRIMA Ondernemen Award, Southern region

Judges’ report
After an extensive preliminary round and company analysis, the reason that Bata Industrials became one of the nine nominated companies is clearly worded in the judges’ report: ‘Bata Industrials demonstrates strength in the social aspects of its business through the appreciation it expresses for its work placement trainees and its excellent illness prevention policy. In addition, it has taken many energy-saving measures in its operations'.

Nomination justified
These are qualifications which are a good fit for Bata Industrials' sacred belief in the Dutch manufacturing industry. They are also a perfect match for the growth that the company is currently experiencing, in terms of its dealer database, products and personnel. Nonetheless, this recognition serves to underline Bata Industrials’ innovative and sustainable character in particular. In all of the organisation’s divisions.

Bata Industrials places a strong emphasis on a close working relationship with work placement trainees coming from institutes of higher education and universities in order to arrive at new insights or in conducting research. In addition, the company strives to enter into close cooperative relationships with knowledge institutes and customers alike. This last group provides valuable practical insight which is applied in the production of safety shoes.

In terms of sustainability, Bata Industrials sets the bar just as high. Thanks in part to the use of safety shoes in its own manufacturing plant, Bata Industrials sets itself apart through its low rate of illness-related absences. The recent merging of the sock and shoe factories has also led to substantial structural energy savings. This is also the result of the investments in energy-saving washing machines are used to pre-wash the socks it manufactures. Last but not least, Bata Industrials makes a significant contribution to safety on the work floor and a reduction in illness-related absences. It owes all of this to the product at the centre of all of this activity in Best: a broad range of high-quality safety shoes.