Only with clear targets and continuous commitment can diversity become a driving force for innovation and economic success. Because Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is not achieved in a sprint, but in a marathon. And at Semperit it is an essential part of the corporate strategy.
The benefits of high diversity for companies are well documented. International studies show that D&I not only increases profitability – companies in the top quartile for gender diversity outperform their competitors by 21 percent – but also improves employee retention and strengthens innovation. “Diversity is not an end in itself, but a competitive advantage,” says Fedora Yeo, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion Council at Semperit, summing it up: “With targeted D&I measures, we create a working environment in which everyone can develop their full potential, and we attract top talents. This makes diversity a central pillar of our success.” International investors, who have long identified D&I as a key indicator of a company’s long-term resilience, are of the same opinion.
“Diversity is not an end in itself, but a competitive advantage.”
Fedora Yeo, Diversity & Inclusion Council
Four focus areas
In 2023, Semperit’s members of the Executive Board signed the “Diversity Charter” and thus committed themselves to their employees from over 65 nationalities to ensure continuous D&I improvements. Semperit focuses on four central dimensions: age, gender, people with disabilities as well as culture and intercultural competence. The company has ambitious goals in each of these areas. For example, the proportion of women in management positions is to be increased by 1% annually by 2030. A milestone on this journey: Semperit has been awarded the Diversity Prize for Gender Equality from the Industriellenvereinigung (IV), Austria’s leading business federation. Semperit was honored for its commitment to gender equality and concrete initiatives to promote diversity, including the company’s Women’s International Network. “This award confirms we are on the right track. We’ve achieved a lot together, but this is not the finish line - diversity and inclusion are part of our daily practice, and we will continue to lead by example,” says Fedora Yeo.
Initiatives that work
The D&I Council at Semperit, to which employees from different divisions, locations, age groups and hierarchy levels have been appointed, are driving change. As ambassadors and change agents, they analyze data, exchange ideas, design and implement global and local initiatives. One of them is Fedora Yeo. She emphasizes the importance of targeted awareness campaigns and training: “D&I has become an integral part of Semperit’s corporate culture, and we know how important it is to combat unconscious bias. That’s why we offer group-wide workshops to raise awareness of cultural and ethnic differences. Monthly focus topics around world days such as Cultural Diversity Day or International Day of Persons with Disabilities also help to raise awareness and are well received by colleagues.”
A marathon, not a sprint
The change towards a more inclusive corporate culture is a long-term commitment for Semperit. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” says Fedora Yeo, who, as Head of Marketing in the Form business, is fully committed to D&I: “As an Asian woman in a multinational company, I see the importance of equal opportunities every day. D&I is not just a business imperative for success but a critical key driver for positive change in society. I am excited to actively help shape corporate culture and make a real difference.”
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