For Wanzl, compliance means that all employees abide by the legal provisions, regulatory standards and other ethical standards and requirements set by the company itself. We have summarised the standards and values that apply to all Wanzl co-workers worldwide in the Wanzl Code of Conduct.

Responsible conduct towards co-workers, customers, business partners, the environment and society is the philosophy at Wanzl, and this is inextricably linked with the corporate identity. This reliability is a key reason why Wanzl has been a world leader for many decades and has become a partner to global customers and business partners.

As a family company, we are interested in maintaining a stable working relationship with our business partners, focussing on the exceptional quality of our deliveries and services and a clear commitment to fair conduct.

Learn about our standards and values and download the Wanzl Code of Conduct at:

As a high-performance and value-oriented family business, we place high demands on ourselves. Compliance with legal requirements and internal rules is of the utmost importance for Wanzl worldwide. Violations are not tolerated and are consistently pursued by Wanzl everywhere in the world. In order to identify potential violations in good time and to initiate the right measures, Wanzl has established a whistleblower system that can be used by both Wanzl employees and business partners (hereinafter referred to as the “whistleblowers”). The aim is for whistleblowers to draw attention to irregularities in order to enable Wanzl to minimise financial and reputational damage in good time.

Violations of the law may include, for example, the following:

• Bribery / corruption (advantages are granted by Wanzl employees)

• Bribability / corruption (advantages are granted to Wanzl employees)

• Granting advantages to public officials  

• Embezzlement

• Manipulation (selected items) of the annual financial statements or internal reporting

• Violations of antitrust and competition law

• Violations of export control requirements

• Discrimination based on sex, skin colour, ethnic origin, sexual identity, disability, religious affiliation or ideology

Who can a whistleblower turn to?

In the event of suspicions, whistleblowers can, on the one hand, contact Wanzl directly (e.g.their supervisor or the Compliance department) or use a reporting channel operated by independent ombudspersons (middlepersons) of the auditing company BDO engaged by Wanzl. Information can be reported openly or anonymously. Even if whistleblowers wish to disclose their identity to the ombudspersons, the ombudspersons may, if the whistleblower so wishes, refuse disclosure to Wanzl; this is an important contribution for protecting whistleblowers. 

Wanzl will examine the incoming reports very carefully and follow them up consistently. It is also important not to jump to conclusions and to protect wrongly accused employees from inappropriate sanctions. All in all, a fair process must be maintained for all the parties involved.

 

How to submit a report to the ombudspersons:

1. Internet platform

You can reach the ombudspersons at BDO at any time via an Internet-based communication platform. If you wish, you can even remain anonymous to the ombudspersons at BDO and have an anonymous exchange with them. 

2. Telephone

Alternatively, you can call the ombudspersons on working days between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (CET) at the following numbers:

3. By post

Another option is to reach the ombudspersons by sending a letter to the following address:

Private/strictly confidential
Mr Markus Brinkmann
Mr Benedict Benz
BDO AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Fuhlentwiete 12
20355 Hamburg, Germany
Germany

Please note that this whistleblower system has been set up for reporting compliance-related matters. We kindly ask for your understanding that other concerns cannot be addressed.

Other questions about compliance at Wanzl

For general questions about compliance at Wanzl, questions about the Wanzl Code of Conduct, or if you are not sure about the correct conduct in a particular case, please contact the Compliance Officer of the Wanzl Group. You can reach the Compliance Officer as follows:

Wanzl GmbH & Co. Holding KG
Compliance Officer
Rudolf-Wanzl-Straße 4
89340 Leipheim
Germany

E-mail address: compliance@wanzl.com
Telephone number: +49 8221 / 729-6777

Entrenching due diligence in the supply chain by legislation is a significant step towards a more responsible and ethical global economy. The aim of this approach is to ensure compliance with human rights and environmental standards in companies’ supply chains. In its policy statement on supply chain due diligence, the Wanzl Group formally pledges to respect human rights.

The Wanzl Group's policy statement is more than just a formal gesture, it is a public commitment and serves as the basis for the systematic integration of due diligence obligations into business processes. In this statement, we outline our strategies, processes and measures aimed at identifying, preventing and mitigating human rights violations and environmental damage throughout the supply chain. This statement is therefore a key tool for strengthening our responsibility and driving positive change towards a fairer and more sustainable global economy. It expresses our awareness that Wanzl wants to make an important contribution to promoting human rights and environmental protection.

Wanzl is committed to respecting human rights throughout the Group. We review this policy statement regularly, but at least once a year, and adapt it to new insights if necessary.

The German Supply Chains Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG) is the first legally binding regulation that governs corporate responsibility for compliance with human rights in supply chains. Specifically, the LkSG obliges companies to observe human rights and certain environmental due diligence obligations in their supply chains in an appropriate manner.  The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) entered into force in Germany on 1 January 2023. Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA is subject to the due diligence obligations specified in this Act on the grounds of the defined attributes for company size.

Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA, in accordance with Section 10(2) LkSG, is required to submit a report on its fulfillment of due diligence obligations to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). The reporting obligation applies for the first time for the 2023 financial year. Deadlines apply for the submission of the report. In compliance with these deadlines, Wanzl will publish the report below for inspection in accordance with the statutory obligations. Changes to the disclosure obligations arise in connection with the legislative measures, including in relation to its interactions with the sustainability reporting obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).