Commitment and responsibility
Core values of ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Social responsibility is central to the corporate culture of the foundation-owned ZF. Sustainability and reliability are the guiding principles of our corporate activities and are brought to life in the active commitment of every ZF employee. Together these principles form the basis of a sustainable corporate strategy, and their relevance goes far beyond the bottom line.
Practicing responsibility
Taking an active role in society and recognizing social responsibility are leitmotifs of ZF’s more than 90-year history. Back in 1913, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin created a comprehensive social service program, the Zeppelin-Wohlfahrt GmbH, which has shaped ZF’s corporate culture and remains exemplary today. Many initiatives set up decades ago, such as addiction prevention, recreation and vacation provisions, and ZF retirement benefits, have been further developed. Profound solidarity and practical support for the workforce continue to characterize the ZF corporate spirit to this day.
Breadth of commitment
The ZF team’s social commitment also extends to public life. Environmental protection, social welfare, education, culture and sport – in all these fields, ZF initiates and sponsors a variety of activities and not only in monetary terms. As well as sponsorship of sports and involvement in education and science (e.g., through the Zeppelin University and its cultural foundation), the Group also fulfills a thoroughly practical commitment to society. Here attention focuses on minimizing the environmental impact of ZF products, from their development through their life span, and all the way to the disposal process.
Think and act, locally and globally
As a global group, ZF is present at 125 locations in 26 countries. So corporate responsibility is conceived on an international scale and implemented through active local commitment. For example, the charitable organization ZF Helps, which is financed through contributions from companies and employees, regularly supports aid projects worldwide. In China, ZF supports the schooling of migrant workers’ children. In South America, ZF sponsors two aid projects, Pescar and Formare, to give children from socially disadvantaged families the opportunity to train for a profession.
