BRUSSELS, Belgium, February 12, 2009 -- Univar, one of the world’s leading chemical sales and distribution companies, recently announced that its Brussels site has attained full compliance with its stringent U+ standards. Launched in 2006, U+ is a goal-based combined management system that requires each site to continually improve their Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality management (SHEQ) performance. U+ sets a new benchmark for safety standards in the chemical distribution sector, going far beyond the legal requirements, for example, by stipulating new bespoke filling equipment that removes the risks of static ignition when filling flammable liquids. Furthermore, employees benefit from a better working environment while customers and suppliers have assurance of Univar’s excellent product stewardship and in their consistent supply of quality products.
‘Over the last two years, Univar Europe has invested time and commitment to optimise processes at the Brussels site. Our considerable investments in reaching the high U+ standards allow us to constantly improve, not only the efficiency of our operations but also their safety,’ says Michel Vandermeiren, Univar Regional Director Benelux.
The road to U+
Univar Brussels is one of the company’s oldest sites and also one of Europe’s largest and most complex locations. U+ standards were implemented over a period of two years meeting the U+ goals required for certification, along with 14 other sites across Europe. Univar plans to ensure that all of its sites are compliant with U+ standards within three years, with 20 completed by end of this year already. ‘The Brussels team has done some tremendous work to get the site up to speed for U+ requirements.’ says Michael Cooke, SHEQ Director at Univar. ‘However, the certification is not an end-point, it is merely the beginning. Employees need to keep up the good work and continue to improve on health and safety, environmental and quality performance at the site.’
About U+
As a result of the focus U+ has put on Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality management (SHEQ), Univar’s accident rate throughout Europe has decreased by more than 50% in the last two years. Univar’s 50+ sites in Europe have an accident frequency rate that is well below the industry average - Univar sites are seven times safer than the average of other chemical distribution companies.
About Univar
Univar is one of the world’s leading independent distributors of industrial chemicals and providers of related specialty services, operating throughout North America and Europe. Univar endeavours to service its customer base, made up of some 250,000 industrial customers, with a full portfolio of products. The majority are commodities that the company buys in bulk, then processes, blends and repacks to meet the diverse requirements of the industries we serve. Others are specialties – purchased pre-packaged and sold on a technical basis, usually under a manufacturer’s own brand. Univar operates a network of approximately 200 distribution centres located throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and China. In 2007, Univar reported sales of $8.1 billion. Univar has approximately 7,700 employees based throughout North America, Europe and China.