In over 125 years, Pon - a family-owned business - has grown into a global company, operating with more than 100 companies in multiple business clusters and industries. Pon operates at every stage of the value chain: from production and distribution to sales, service and maintenance.
We focus on building strong, sustainable relationships with each other, but also with you as our business partner. What this means for you is set out in this Business Partner Code of Conduct.
At Pon, we work towards shared successes - with passion, fun and a great level of responsibility and authority. Success for Pon means the sum of commercial success and the well-being of our people, customers, partners, the communities we are part of and the environment. In full compliance with applicable laws and legislation.
By focusing on three pillars: People • Planet • Progress.
We can only be truly successful if you as our business partner support and comply with our ways of working. This includes being accountable and transparent. Therefore, we expect that you do not just follow this Business Partner Code of Conduct, but - more importantly - act according to the spirit of it.
Visit our website www.pon.com for more information about our company, our values and our strategy
These values represent what we as Pon stand for. How we act and behave towards each other, and towards you as our partner. A good understanding of our core values, and using them as a guideline is vital to our success - now and in the future.
We are passionate about delivering and performing at a top level. We focus on concrete, solid results.
We are driven by a winner’s mentality: we want to do better all the time and aim for the highest quality
– always and whatever the circumstances. We finish what we start and are willing to go the extra mile.
We work closely with our colleagues, customers and business partners to achieve the highest level.
Because we believe that performing well is a team sport.
We use our strengths to our advantage, show initiative and take ownership of our work. We are trusted to do our job well, and do it with conviction within the limits set by our policies. We bring solutions, not problems, by allowing space to use creativity. And we all make mistakes. By taking full responsibility for the mistakes we make, we earn the respect of others.
We believe in building lasting relationships with our colleagues, customers and business partners. We are open and honest in our actions. We support and help each other where needed. We live and work by our core values. In short, we believe in acting ethically, with respect for others in everything that we do. We take responsibility for our actions, and the consequences of our actions. We believe that Pon can, and should have a positive impact on our social and natural environment.
We believe that work should be fun. Having fun whilst at work fuels our passion and drive. We are open, informal and positive. We build relationships effortlessly, with colleagues, customers and business partners. We work hard and love to share and celebrate our successes together.
We do business in a socially responsible and ethical manner - at all times. We refrain from business practices that can impact our reputation and image. We expect the same from you – in particular with regards to:
You act in full compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to your business, including thoserelated to:
(i) anti-money laundering
(ii) anti-terrorist financing
(iii) applicable international export control laws regarding imports and exports.
You take a proactive approach towards identification, monitoring and understanding of applicable laws, regulations and customer requirements.
You conduct business on the basis of sincere, fair and transparent principles. Principles that are properly implemented and supervised.
There are clear, defined responsibilities of people towards stakeholders.
We expect you not to tolerate any form of bribery, corruption or fraud - with respect to government officials or commercial parties. Gifts, favors or forms of entertainment to influence business decisions are also not tolerated.
You conduct business in a fair and competitive manner in compliance with antitrust laws and regulations.
You take a proactive approach towards informing and training your employees on actions that are or
could qualify as anti-competitive and/or in breach of applicable antitrust laws and regulations.
You are expected to continuously monitor compliance within your organization.
Trade secrets, personal and other confidential information will only be used where necessary and permitted. Such information is protected appropriately.
You comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations.
Our three pillars: People • Planet • Progress
To truly be our best, we need to include all people, customers and communities - while making it fun! We aim to always guarantee a safe and healthy workplace, contribute to a fair society, and build a culture of inclusivity around our business. We will continue to grow a diverse, resilient organization -with happy people at the core of everything we do.
We recognize the relevant international standards regarding working conditions and human rights as universal standards, and as a minimum. We expect the same from you – in particular with regards to:
You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to the minimum employment age.
You will, in principle, not use any workers below the age of 15 - anywhere in the world. Any deviationfrom this age shall be in accordance with the applicable conventions². Legitimate workplace apprenticeship programs shall be implemented.
Any and all forms of forced, compulsory, (involuntary) prison, bonded or involuntary labor, whether direct or indirectly utilized are not allowed.
The import of goods made with forced labor - particularly those goods mined, manufactured, or produced in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China - is prohibited.
You will ensure that all work is carried out voluntary: employees are always free to leave.
Requiring employees to pay a deposit in order to be able to work or to lodge identification documents upon commencing employment is prohibited.
Withholding a person’s salary, benefits, property or documents is not acceptable.
You adopt a proactive approach towards identifying, analyzing and reducing hazards and risks associated with your business, services and products.
You ensure a safe and healthy workspace, including appropriate safety measures at your site(s), including availability of appropriate, well-maintained, personal protective equipment for employees.
If accidents take place, you adequately investigate the causes and consequences, and take appropriate measures to prevent repetition or similar accidents.
It is prohibited to discipline employees for raising safety concerns.
An adequate accident insurance is in place for all employees - covering at least medical treatment and compensation for work related accidents and compensation for work-related accidents resulting in permanent disability or death.
Working hours correspond at least to the respective national legal requirements or the minimum standards of the relevant national economic sectors.
You are expected to have a transparent and reliable system for recording working hours and wages for all employees.
Compensation and benefits for a normal working week correspond at least to the local legally valid and guaranteed minimum.
Where legal or collective bargaining agreements do not exist for defining a minimum wage, compensation
and benefits are based on industry-specific collective agreements - customary to the relevant location to
ensure an appropriate standard of living for employees and their families.
Employees are chosen, employed and supported on the basis of their qualifications and capabilities.
Any direct or indirect form of discrimination in providing employment opportunities, benefits or privileges
- on the basis of a person’s race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, political conviction, genetic information, vaccination status,
marital status or other protected status - is prohibited.
No bullying or harassment including sexual harassment
You prohibit bullying and harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment.
You will take appropriate and immediate action in response to complaints, knowledge or concrete suspicions of violations.
People • Planet • Progress
Employees have the right to:
Associate freely, form and join workers organizations of their own choice.
Seek representation and bargain collectively in line with all applicable law and regulations and local usage.
Employees’ representatives are not discriminated against and may carry out their representative functions in the workplace.
Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under applicable law and regulations, you facilitate - not hinder - the development of parallel means for independent and free association and bargaining.
Our three pillars: People • Planet • Progress
As the world’s population consumes twice as much as the world’s resources, we need to act.
Therefore, Pon is continuously seeking to eliminate waste. By that we mean greenhouse gasses and (virgin) materials.
We comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations in all countries we are active. We obtain, keep current and comply with all required environmental permits and relevant reporting requirements.
We expect the same from you do the same – in particular with regards to:
You conduct your business in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner - in order to make sure that all processes and products have a minimal adverse environmental impact.
You develop, implement and maintain environmentally responsible business practices.
Preferably a suitable and certified environmental management system is in place.
You will take a systematic approach towards eliminating and reducing (the impact of) waste of all types, including water, energy - considering your carbon footprint.
A proactive approach will be taken by you towards improving sustainability, using renewable energy.
Transforming your business away from traditional fossil resources - in line with global sustainable development goals.
You assure - within reason - that the sourcing of minerals to manufacture your products do not directly or
indirectly finance or benefit armed groups that are perpetrators of serious human rights abuse.
Our three pillars: People • Planet • Progress
We are a key player in almost every space where we operate. Functioning in five core industries. Each with a very different DNA. Each in transition.
We are pushing the boundaries of green production within the bike industry, upscaling EV vehicle availability, as well as bringing new innovation to our markets.
We are committed to move with our fast evolving world - in a positive way. To achieve this, we are changing the way we think, the way we conduct business and the way we look at how planet and people
interact. We invite you to be part of this exciting journey.
We aim to further strengthen our relationship with you, as our partner. By collaborating closely, we can respond even better to our customers’ needs and wishes. Join our journey to create a better and more sustainable world. To achieve this - together, please:
• carefully read this Business Partner Code of Conduct
• sign it for acceptance
• make this Business Partner Code of Conduct part of your business operations
• share relevant information, such as reports and certifications, in order for us to understand how you
• comply with this Business Partner Code of Conduct
• ensure that your business partner, as well as their business partners also comply with this Business
• report violations, or a threat of violations, of this Business Partner Code of Conduct or applicable laws and legislation - in a timely manner
• cooperate, and provide all reasonable support in audits and investigation of (threats of) violations - such as inspection of business premises, including office areas and workshops.
If your local laws are stricter than those outlined in this Business Partner Code of Conduct, please comply with your local laws.
Please do not hesitate to contact us in case of any questions about the contents of this Code, or if you require further guidance or support to ensure compliance.
Violations, or threats of violation, of this Business Partner Code of Conduct should always be reported.
You can do this by contacting:
1. Your Pon account manager
2. The Managing Director or CEO of the Pon company that you do business with.
We will always first discuss possible solutions for a (threat of) violation, prior to taking any action.
Remember, we are on a journey together to reach a better and more sustainable world. We cannot do this without transparency, ownership and honesty. This includes constructive discussions on how to work and grow together.
If discussion is not possible - due to the nature, gravity or duration of the situation – we are at liberty to take other measures. This may include suspension of our obligations towards you, termination of the business relationship, a claim for damages or any other legal measures.
Pon.Bike Lithuania
Factory:
Pramonės g. 13A
LT-57242 Kėdainiai (Kėdainiai Free Economic Zone)