TPI July 2013

This brings me to the point of environmental management on a group level: we coordinate the group’s goals while each factory sets its own targets in regard of local specifications and regulations. These targets are followed up annually and discussed with the TÜV SÜD auditors. Since the ISO 14001 is integrated with ISO 9001, environmental as well as quality measures and targets are always under the close attention of the management. ❱ How environmentally friendly are Hobas products compared to competitive materials? Our pipes have quite some advantages compared to other materials regarding environmental care. They are relatively light and are therefore more easily transported. Their compact walls result in less excavation material and smaller equipment for the installation. Hobas products can also be installed via trenchless technologies with comparably low jacking forces. There is little maintenance and the products provide a long service life. Moreover, the pipes’ inherent characteristics, such as a very smooth inner surface, result in less pumping energy in pressure systems and more output for green energy sources such as small hydropower plants. All of these factors prove beneficial in terms of the product life cycle and at the same time save costs. ❱ What plans does Hobas have for the future? How is the group going to proceed? From 2008 to 2012 we experienced a profound change in how we perceive environmental care, on what we do, what employees do and how they act. If you take Hobas today and compare it to four years ago you’ll see tremendous development in reporting and implementation of measures. You can see how seriously the topic of environmental care has been taken. What started with a few people attending the audits, which now may involve 20 people of a company or more, one can see how we have shared responsibility and grown in this respect. Next we will increase our focus on safety topics, with Hobas Germany being the first ever Hobas plant to receive the prestigious Occupational Health and Safety OHSAS 18001 certification from TÜV SÜD.

Hobas Engineering GmbH – Austria info@hobas.com www.hobas.com

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Tube Products International July 2013

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