At ME Elecmetal, we view partnerships with others as opportunities to strengthen ties and continue creating value, both with suppliers and partners, as well as with customers and communities across the Company's various operations globally. This enables the establishment of relationships and support that allow us to communicate with our stakeholders within the environments of the plants and communities where operations take place, as well as to foster broader engagements with different objectives and on other scales of mutual interest.
Our customers see engagement with other individuals, groups, and institutions as a contribution to their business, because it becomes part of their value chain that also interacts, establishing contacts and joint actions that multiply mutual benefit. Among other things, leverage is achieved in:
- Greater understanding of regulatory frameworks
- Deeper knowledge of the social and political environment
- Resolution of situations of different natures
Having a strategic ally that not only offers comprehensive solutions to operational needs but also knows and understands the different links established in the environment with its chain and impact recipients, and therefore makes transparent decisions based on the information managed together with others, mitigates risks, and grows value.
“We are interested in actively participating in associations where we generate value through collaborative work and in various emerging situations.”
ME South America
In the context of the February fires that occurred in the city of Viña del Mar, Chile, which resulted in 135 deaths and 15,000 people displaced due to the burning of homes, ME Elecmetal contributed to mitigating the situation alongside the Asociación de Proveedores Industriales de la Minería (APRIMIN), plus other associated institutions. Some contributions included providing machinery for debris removal: mini loaders and backhoes with personnel for operation, food, transportation, and supplies, among others.
From this situation, a Working Group was formed, bringing together the Seremi de Minería, the Chilean Chamber of Construction, and the Sociedad Nacional de Minería (SONAMI), later joined by the Ministry of Public Works, the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin), and ProChile.
Likewise, ME Elecmetal actively participates in the Asociación de Industriales de Metalurgia y Metalmecánica (ASIMET), the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (SOFOFA), through the Sustainability and Environment Committee, with initiatives on decarbonization and circular economy, and Pro-O’Higgins, an organization that unites different productive units of the region with the aim of collaborating, among other ties.
ME North America
Just as the ties with one of our audiences were reflected in the work carried out in favor of those affected in Viña del Mar, in the United States ME Elecmetal has various alliances to generate value. Below is a detail of some of these ties:
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce: Seeks to understand state government affairs and participate in various efforts through the Duluth plant. This alliance also aims to contribute to energy issues, with the plant director serving as president of the Energy Policy Committee.
- Better in Our Backyard (BIOBY): An organization based in Duluth, Minnesota, that promotes responsible economic development and includes Jeff Pederson, current regional sales director of ME Elecmetal, on its board. One of the events held this year was a visit to the Duluth foundry, where the company and its contribution to the local economy and the national steel mining industry were presented.
Additionally, various approaches have been made to the Duluth Plant to learn about its safety success story by Twin Metals, as well as with Minnesota foundries to discuss compliance with the Environmental Law.
ME China
Regarding ME Elecmetal's operations in China, the established alliances are also detailed:
- Internship program: Each year, training is offered to young people from Changzhou University, with concrete employment opportunities for local graduates.
- Charity programs: Sponsorship of a primary school near the foundry in artistic subjects, as well as the “Family Day” where different organizations participate, along with all their families.
