Social Responsibility Grows at Hypertherm

Hypertherm Inc. (Hanover, NH), a U.S.-based manufacturer of plasma, laser and waterjet cutting systems, came out with their annual Corporate Social Responsibility report that measures 2015 progress on their social and environmental goals. The report covers three different CSR disciplines: the community, the environment, and Associate well-being. Highlights from 2015 include an increase in hours spent volunteering, success engaging more students in STEM fields, the opening of a regional recycling center, and the hosting of their first ever supplier sustainability summit to discuss shared challenges and best practices.

“Last year served as a pivotal year for our initiatives. Most notably, it marked the halfway point on our path toward our 2020 environmental stewardship goals,” stated Jenny Levy, the company’s vice president of corporate social responsibility. “In evaluating our journey over the past five years, we’ve learned that although our organization is transformed by this work, continued partnership with our suppliers, customers, and community is critical.”

The report, available by clicking here, shows that 81 percent of their associates volunteered in 2015, serving an average of 15.5 hours in the community. Combined, that amounts to more than 18,000 volunteer hours donated to nonprofit organizations in 15 different countries. The Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) Foundation awarded 107 grants, 20 more than in 2014, in support of strategic focus areas that include health and wellness, food and shelter, and education and the arts.

As a manufacturer with a long history of engineering innovation, engaging future generations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields is of particular importance. To that end, they report reaching more than 7,000 students through their support of the program, which includes both time and money with associate volunteers providing STEM-related coaching and welcoming more than 700 students for educational tours, job shadow days, and hands-on workshops.

As 2015 marked the halfway point toward their 2020 goals, the company looked at not only year-over-year progress, but progress in relation to their 2010 baseline year. Those numbers show a marked decline in landfill waste, from 211 tons in 2010 to 47 tons at year’s end. On the health and safety front, their 2015 safety record came in at 1.9 incidents per 100 full-time Associates, well below the industry average of 4.3, and the associate Wellness Center is now providing primary care to 250 people, more than half way toward a target of 400 primary care patients.

With more than 1,400 associates, Hypertherm designs and manufactures advanced cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair, including plasma, laser and waterjet cutting systems, in addition to CNC motion and height controls, CAM nesting software, robotic software and consumables. The 100 percent associate-owned company is consistently named a best place to work.

www.hypertherm.com