Leading sports field turf manufacturer, ACT Global Sports publishes Communication on Progress
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Austin, Texas - April 2010 Honored to be part of the United Nations Global Compact, we hope to aspire others to make a difference in the world by administering the principles of the Global Compact in their own business. The published PDF document can be accessed by visiting: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/participants/detail/153-ACT-Global-Sports For those without Adobe Reader, the following is a text draft of the document: United Nations Global Compact Dear Investors, We are honored to be recognized as a perpetual member of the United Nations Global Compact. As confirmation, ACT Global Sports is doing everything we can to ameliorate the synthetic turf market and the worldwide communities we serve. The past twelve months have been no exception to our continued growth and involvement of the Global Compact’s principles. As a world leader, we take great strides to follow legal and humanitarian principles in the marketplace, environment, community and workplace. Headquartered in the United States with offices in Europe and Asia, we embrace the diversity of our market and adjust our policies to suit assorted cultures. Through the principles established by the Global Compact, we stand as role models in our endeavors as an artificial turf manufacturer and societies worldwide. Our implications of the Global Compact has been wide received through press releases, ActGlobalSports.com and presentations. Affirmative feedback has influenced our drive and focus as a company. Through evolved execution of the principles set by the United Nations Global Compact, we anticipate our efforts will inspire others to make a difference in their industry as well as the world. Together we can make a change for the greater good. Best regards,/s/ John Baize
____________________________________________________________________ Company History
Promoting the United Nations Global Compact
Honored to be part of the United Nations Global Compact, we have advertised our active participation in over 50 countries. The United Nations Global Compact Support logo is presented throughout our marketing materials to include our blog, website, brochures and banners. Our Communication of Progress is viewable on our website and presented during meetings. We appreciate the value of a grass roots marketing approach and feel our ideas are effectively received in this manner. In this approach we hope to inspire others to make a difference in the world by administering the principles of the Global Compact in their own business. Our goal as a world leader in synthetic turf research for the Communication of Progress, is to educate and encourage other companies in the artificial grass market to gather the basic principles to action for continued communal growth. Report Card
Human Rights In order to operate a strong business, a corporation should have a solid backbone, their employees. We respect the voice of our employees and advocate human rights and equal opportunities worldwide. With a solid understanding and dedication to human rights, training under proper code of business ethics and procedures, we ensure ACT Global does not violate any human rights. ACT Global Sports values the professional relationship with our employees. We keep lines of communication open and encourage the exchange of ideas to improve our working environment as a team. This system of trust and understanding grants our employees the opportunity to openly communicate areas of concern. In addition, we practice this method of team building throughout our offices worldwide and with valued partners. Though a circle of trust we are able to work in a healthy environment free of restrictions. Labor Standards Principle 3Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. Actions and Achievements: ACT Global Sports abides the practice of freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. These rights are clearly noted in our employment policies. We encourage individuality within the workplace. This dynamic chemistry ensures benefits for both the employee and employer while aiding the artificial turf market and improving society. To carry this philosophy we occasionally hold meetings and consideration for our employees work duties and expectation we thrive as a team. The profits of our organization profit each and every individual collectively. Our employees and partners associate freely, in good faith, without interference from our management. There is no discrimination on grounds of membership in a labor union. Principle 4Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor. Actions and Achievements: ACT Global Sports does not support compulsory labor. We understand the exploitation of labor is illegal and unacceptable. Awareness is raised amongst our corporation and employees through articulation of expectations regarding pay, work hours and duties. To ensure a comfortable and fair working environment we welcome complaints and suggestions. These ideas are taken into consideration and implemented for improvement. In addition, we conduct thorough research and screenings of all international partners to ensure they also conduct principles similar to the United Nations Global Compact. We take pride in our partners and only choose to work with the best in the industry. If any association or partner is in violation of forced and compulsory labor we will terminate our relationship with them.
Principle 5 ACT Global Sports frowns upon child labor and does not contribute in any shape or form. To fight the battle of child labor we've prolonged our donated support to World Vision. World Vision is a humanitarian organization that supports children with the necessities to survive, education, as well as moral support. These children lack the assistance and support needed to overcome economic crises. ACT Global Sports stands as their voice for compassion and change. Children need inspiration and encouragement to prevail in their studies to grow up as strong individuals to survive in the world. Child labor is a horrible practice recognized worldwide. We strongly encourage others to review this issue and do whatever they can to stop child labor. Principle 6Businesses should eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Actions and Achievements: We are a global company with offices in the Texas and Georgia, USA, Thailand, China, Cyprus, France, Poland, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. In addition our network expands over 50 countries. ACT Global embraces the wide diversity of cultures and in society as well as the workplace. This exposure truly develops our presences and practices as a well rounded and culturally diverse company. Multicultural existence and diversity directly impacts our organization as worldwide synthetic turf manufacturer as well as our stakeholders. In continuation we do not discriminate against race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, social origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, trade union membership, and sexual orientation. Our employees and contractors are hired based on their skills and ability to do the job at hand. ACT Global continues to support CARE through yearly donations. CARE is a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty in part by providing economic opportunities to women in particular. We understand woman are the protectors of life and support for their communities. Through our donations, poor women are given the resources to nurture and overcome the struggles within their families and community. ACT Global strongly believes that with the help of CARE, these women can escape poverty and build enriched communities. Environment Principle 7Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges. Actions and Achievements: ACT Global Sports stands behind their innovation and commitment to environmentally friendly products and manufacturing. Our ISO 14001 environmental certification is recognized and accepted by our partners worldwide as a step toward green sustainability. Our synthetic turf products undergo strict environmental testing to include lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium, chromium, tin, toxicity, EOX, and DOC. Such testing ensures our products are safe and not hazardous to health or the environment. We carefully place hazardous labels on all our products notifying our market of such tests and environmental safety. Through research and conducted studies, ACT Global concluded our artificial turf products reduce water and reduce the use of pesticides. This in collaboration of our ongoing responsibility to the US Greensacpes program we aim to make a difference in the world. As the market grows, so does the demand for green friendly products. We encourage our employees, professional partners, competitors and market to implement the best practices in energy and resource efficiency, waste reduction, renewable resources, and the use of cleaner production. Together we can take a step toward greater environmental responsibility. Principle 8Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility. Actions taken & Achievements: To prolong ACT Global Sports' procedures to encourage and improve environmental responsibility, we offset 140 metric tons (308,644 pounds) of C02 and invested in reforestation projects around the world through Carbon Fund. Our customers are also given the option to purchase carbon credits to offset the related production, transportation and installation activities of their order. As an ongoing process we continue to support Conservation International. Their mission is to conserve the Earth’s living heritage- our global biodiversity- and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature. Our business ethics are to serve the environment in every aspect of our everyday routine. We design our products to preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution. Principle 9Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. Actions and Achievements: ACT Global Sports' synthetic turf products influence developers, general contractors and architects to gain LEED points. Established by the US Green Builders Council LEED, the Leadership in Environmental Design organization, designates products as "green friendly" by obtaining points through environmental conscious organizations. As a large part of our synthetic field turf installation, we continuously utilize recycled rubber as turf infill to stabilize our surface and take environmental diffusion a step further. Anti-Corruption Principle 10Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery Actions and Achievements: Integrity is the first and foremost fundamental of our business ethics. We continue to build relationships through open communication and honesty. Our company policies strictly limits the amount of gifts that can be given or received by an employee or professional partner. Any policy or ethical violation that is detected by an employee must be immediately reported to upper management without fear of reprisals. We do not tolerate corruption or bribery in any shape or form. As we continue to keep open communications and build solid integrity values, we can ensure that our synthetic turf market will continue running in a corrupt-free business environment, free from extortion and bribery. |


EXECUTIVE LETTER