Foreword by the Executive Board
Klaus Eberhardt - Chairman (CEO)
Rheinmetall – founded in 1889 as “Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik Actiengesellschaft” – is one of the hundred largest listed corporations in Germany and enjoys success on the international defence and automotive markets. Its name is associated with tradition, experience and progress. Rheinmetall focuses on what is important: products, performance, employees. This is also reflected positively in sales figures, balance sheets and the stock market value. Between what is tried and tested and what is new, timeless values determine Rheinmetall’s self-image: credibility and trust. State-of-the-art technology and expertise. Financial stability and transparency. These shared values connect employees all over the world in their different cultures.
Traditionally, Rheinmetall is committed to open global trade and fair competition and to acting in a way that is legal and socially and ethically responsible. The Group follows the approach of taking into account the interests of shareholders, employees and other groups linked to the company, along with ecological and social issues, when implementing corporate goals. The principles of social responsibility were stipulated in the Code of Conduct in 2003. The Code of Conduct deals, among other points, with responsible management in the advancing process of internationalization and globalization, respect for human rights and safe working conditions. Sustainable economic activity is an integral part of business and production processes and helps to secure the Company’s long-term future.
The vast technological expertise of the Rheinmetall Group in its Defence and Automotive sectors derived from around 100 years’ experience benefits both people and the environment. Foreign deployments, peacekeeping missions, rapid deployment forces in crisis regions: with the growth in operations abroad, the armed forces of the 21st century find themselves facing new challenges. Effective protection systems are of key importance in providing deployment forces with maximum safety in deployment scenarios undertaken today and in the future. Rheinmetall Defence specializes in the development and production of components and systems designed to protect people, vehicles, aircraft, ships and property. Its products protect the German and NATO armed forces during missions intended to safeguard democracies and peaceful constitutional states.
The Automotive sector has been working on environmentally friendly automotive solutions long before the start of today’s discussions on climate protection. In an age of increasing vehicle numbers across the globe together with global warming, the Kolbenschmidt Pierburg Group, as a longstanding development partner of national and international automotive manufacturers, addresses their needs for innovative solutions in the areas of emissions and consumption reduction, weight reduction and performance enhancement while reconciling mobility trends with environmental protection requirements.
