Corporate Social Responsibility
Sustainability is high on the agenda at Royal Dutch Gazelle. In everything we do, we ask ourselves what the impact will be on people, the environment, the product and society. In addition to this, we are constantly seeking new opportunities in the areas of sustainability and innovation. Within our organisation, but also outside. Gazelle is always looking for appropriate solutions both within our own organisation and in collaboration with others. This search leads regularly to sustainable innovations. Sustainability is high on the agenda at Royal Dutch Gazelle. In everything we do, we ask ourselves what the impact will be on people, the environment, the product and society. In addition to this, we are constantly seeking new opportunities in the areas of sustainability and innovation. Within our organisation, but also outside. Gazelle is always looking for appropriate solutions both within our own organisation and in collaboration with others. This search leads regularly to sustainable innovations.
People
Royal Dutch Gazelle is concerned for all who work here. It is our intention that they should work in a pleasant environment and feel responsible for working towards our common aims. Employee health and safety is of paramount importance to us. Our safety programme contributes towards accident-free working.
The health of our employees is a key consideration. Everyone may take part in the triennial health check, you can practise sports during and after work, make use of the fitness room and the physiotherapist. All this is to keep employees as healthy as possible and time off work due to sickness as low as possible. Our offices have sit-stand desks available and a few fitness desks to raise our employees’ fitness levels.
Gazelle invests in its employees. An example of this is investing in personal development in order to achieve their own as well as Gazelle’s ambitions and to increase employee commitment. Employee satisfaction is important and accordingly Gazelle invests in it by giving them the opportunity to speak with a lifestyle coach for example.
Planet
It is Royal Dutch Gazelle’s intention to produce bikes with the least possible impact on the climate and help create a healthy future. Over the past two years we have reduced our natural gas consumption by 50%, water consumption by 80% and residual waste by 25%. We have managed all this by commissioning new facilities. We have drafted a report for energy saving and utilise green steam. We consume fewer chemicals, while finding ever more alternatives to existing chemicals. Groundwater extraction under Gazelle land has come to an end. Old reservoirs have been removed, which has resulted in clean groundwater. Used water and rainwater are now separated in line with the local authorities’ water policy. What is more, our buildings are asbestos-free. Leasing e-bikes is a topic that is high on Gazelle’s agenda. This has been available since 2017 on one e-bike. The scheme is being gradually expanded
Products
In 2015 we launched Gazelle Nº 1 – the e-bike of the future. We are now using the innovations on this concept bike for the on-going development of our e-bikes. We intend to design and produce top-quality products to international benchmarks. In addition to this, we are focusing on further increasing quality on our bikes and reducing complaints from consumers. Our PR programme has ensured that Gazelle is in the news a great deal, thus giving a boost to interest in cycling.
In 2017 Gazelle invested in cycling safety in partnership with Veilig Verkeer Nederland [Safe Traffic Netherlands], by developing a SafeDrivePod. This prevents you from using your smartphone while cycling. Furthermore, we want to stimulate cycling culture, not just in the Netherlands, but in every country where our bikes are sold. We are doing this through an international campaign: Ride like the Dutch.
Partnership
Royal Dutch Gazelle invests in good relations with local communities. For example, we work with universities (in research) and schools (for example, to test the SafeDrivePod) in the area. In addition, we run guided tours and open house days to show and explain what we do and how we do it. In addition, we work with industry associations such as RAI and NEN ISO.
Gazelle involves its employees, partners and riders in the partnership. For example, Gazelle shops are encouraged to devote attention to campaigns. In addition, in 2017 we were a lead sponsor of VeloCity and we have a long-standing partnership with NOC*NSF.