Employee Q&As

What do employees around the Johnson Matthey group think about sustainability?

Five employees in different locations, functions and roles accross the group share their thoughts and views. Click on the links below to see them.

Robert Stajnrajh Samples and Kaizen Director Emission Control Technologies, Devon, USA 26 years with Johnson Matthey

Q1.What does sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability is an opportunity to do the right thing for Johnson Matthey, the planet and yourself. It is a chance to right a lot of wrongs that were done by our predecessors and to make the world a better place to live in. It also helps Johnson Matthey to be as competitive as possible in the marketplace.

Q2.What contribution are you and your team or colleagues making to sustainability?

We are contributing to the sustainability of Johnson Matthey in a number of ways. Our business contributes to creating wealth for the company and by conserving materials and resources we are promoting a sustainable business and a sustainable planet. We are also working to enhance the image of Johnson Matthey outside the company.

Q3.Do you think being more sustainable is good for Johnson Matthey?

I not only think that sustainability is good for Johnson Matthey, I think it is essential for Johnson Matthey. It not only makes Johnson Matthey a stronger company but it also attracts the best talent to a company that really cares.

Q4.Do you think sustainability is important?

Yes. There is growing evidence worldwide that we need to do something to get our ecosystem balanced. We, the people of the world, have been burning the ecological candle at both ends for too long. It is time to become nature’s partner.

Q5.Is there anything else you think we could be doing?

People are getting engaged in sustainability and it’s important for Johnson Matthey to stay equally engaged. We could perhaps sponsor some research on environmental related matters or look at partnering with sustainability groups.
Filomena Gonçalves Research Scientist Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Billingham, UK 9 months with Johnson Matthey

Q1.What does sustainability mean to you?

It’s a way of development without compromising the future of forthcoming generations, in terms of natural resources and environment. It’s all about developing ways of working that enhance the triple bottom line: Environment – Society – Economy.

Q2.What contribution are you and your team or colleagues making to sustainability?

We have implemented a series of measures to reduce the carbon footprint of our activities. As a result, we’ve achieved a significant decrease in energy consumption. In addition, several of our research projects are looking at more sustainable products and processes.

Q3.Do you think being more sustainable is good for Johnson Matthey?

I have no doubt it is good for Johnson Matthey. It’s a challenge to improve the efficiency of our processes and an opportunity to increase our competitiveness. It’s a unique chance to differentiate from the concurrence [competition] and to be a step ahead, prepared to face more stringent future legislation. It is also good for the public image of the company.

Q4.Do you think sustainability is important?

Yes. With the global environmental problems and the threat of an energy crisis, it is our responsibility as individuals and as a company to look at more sustainable development strategies.

Q5.Is there anything else you think we could be doing?

Ideas to promote sustainability are always welcome in our meetings. If I was having a good idea I should be already thinking how to implement it in an effective way. We could invest more in research projects on relevant areas such as renewable feedstocks and energy sources, and in pollution abatement technologies such as those for treating wastewater.
Pawan Kumar Saxena Laboratory Technician Process Technologies, Panki, India 2 years with Johnson Matthey

Q1.What does sustainability mean to you?

To me, sustainability means achieving the best production in plant while reducing the use of resources to half. It means increasing economic (profit), social (health, safety, etc.) and environmental growth. At the same time we should not deprive future generations of our natural resources.

Q2.What contribution are you and your team or colleagues making to sustainability?

We are contributing by reducing wastage of resources, controlling emissions like NOx and introducing more recycling. In the laboratory, for example, we have reduced our waste by sending back unused samples to plant for reuse.

Q3.Do you think being more sustainable is good for Johnson Matthey?

Yes, no doubt. It is good for Johnson Matthey because in today’s competitive world, no company can carry out business without being competitive economically, socially and environmentally. Economic aspects are of foremost interest but environmental concerns are also important and affect our business. Human resource and other social factors have positive impact on our business too.

Q4.Do you think sustainability is important?

Sustainability is important because it is a way of development in which we can develop or taste the fruit of success (growth) without affecting the potential of future generations to do so. Thus we are not depriving future generations of the things that they deserve.

Q5.Is there anything else you think we could be doing?

There are a number of things: more use of renewable energy sources like solar lights; increasing productivity using resources efficiently; reducing the use of polythene; reducing paper wastage.
David Brown Global Purchasing Manager Process Technologies, Billingham, UK 7 years with Johnson Matthey

Q1.What does sustainability mean to you?

No matter how large or small our contribution, we can all take responsibility and help to reduce our individual and collective impact on the planet’s finite resources and through the application of the principles of sustainable development, create a respected, profitable, socially responsible and growing global business.

Q2.What contribution are you and your team or colleagues making to sustainability?

The role of procurement in managing and developing secure, ethical, sustainable and cost effective global suppliers and the significant involvement in identifying and implementing supply side sustainable development initiatives will be important in achieving our Sustainability 2017 Vision.

Q3.Do you think being more sustainable is good for Johnson Matthey?

Sustainability is good and vital to Johnson Matthey’s future business success. It brings with it new challenges and opportunities to apply our considerable knowledge and expertise and implement sustainable technology to help our customers and Johnson Matthey to achieve our future growth aspirations whilst reducing our impact on the planet.

Q4.Do you think sustainability is important?

I do. Global awareness and support for the principles of sustainable development are growing at a healthy rate every day and companies that embrace those principles and contribute to the development of new sustainable technology will see their excellent reputation being further enhanced and will continue to enjoy business success.

Q5.Is there anything else you think we could be doing?

Anything which promotes, rewards and recognises behaviours, values and actions that are consistent with sustainable development principles should be encouraged and developed.
Ian Stephenson Director, Group Systems, Environment, Health and Safety and Human Resources Head Office, UK 19 years with Johnson Matthey

Q1.What does sustainability mean to you?

For me, sustainability is about doing the right thing for everyone – for individuals, for business, for countries and for the planet. For business it’s an exciting opportunity to be more profitable through more efficient use of resources and through developing better products.

Q2.What contribution are you and your team or colleagues making to sustainability?

I’ve been very much involved in the conception and development of Johnson Matthey’s sustainability strategy and in driving the process of embedding it into everything we do. It’s early days but there has been a tremendous wave of enthusiasm among employees around the world and we are already starting to see some good results.

Q3.Do you think being more sustainable is good for Johnson Matthey?

Absolutely. Unlike some companies, sustainability means more to us than operating our business in a socially, environmentally and ethical way. Because of the nature of our business, we have a great opportunity to contribute more broadly to the sustainability of our customers and society through the beneficial action of our products and technologies. Our employees are enthusiastic about sustainability and our profile does help us attract and retain very good people.

Q4.Do you think sustainability is important?

Definitely – in today’s challenging economic climate the principles of sustainability are even more important to us. At Johnson Matthey we’ve set our Sustainability 2017 Vision which provides us with the framework to minimise our use of resources and reduce our costs whilst delivering sustainability benefits and improving our competitiveness. So now, more then ever, sustainability is absolutely the right thing for us.

Q5.Is there anything else you think we could be doing?

We must continue the good work we’ve been doing so far but with further focus on developing a clear line of sight between now and 2017 to enable us to meet our aspirations. We need to understand more about the carbon footprint of our processes and life cycles of our products to enable us to progress towards a lower carbon and material intensity for us and our customers. We also need to look up and down our supply chain to examine the benefits and impacts of our commercial and technological decisions. I also believe we need to continue to contribute to the broader discussion on sustainability with governments and other organisations in shaping the development of future policy in this area. Businesses like ours have an important role to play – we need to take the lead and be part of the discussion. Finally, we need to keep a constant eye on the horizon in terms of sustainability to see what new business and market opportunities are emerging for us whilst identifying any potential risks to our ongoing business.