ESG Feature Stories
An Innovator of Industrial Transformation:Smart Manufacturing Upgrade
HIWIN is an industry innovation leader
HIWIN remains committed to innovation and the production of intelligent and sustainable products. Beginning with key components, we are leading the transformation and upgrade of Taiwan’s machine tool industry into smart machinery. HIWIN upholds the principle of “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” We persist in delivering top-notch products and services, thereby contributing to the growth of the precision machinery industry.
Innovative value-addition-building competitive advantages across the supply chain
With its unique patented sensing technology, i4.0GW®Intelligent 4.0 Guideway boasts sensitivity ten times higher than similar market products. It visualizes and digitizes equipment status, allowing production line managers to flexibly adjust production capacity, schedule maintenance, and implement lean production management for clients. The installation is simple, the web interface is user-friendly, and the edge computing module can be connected to the internal network of the factory for immediate use. With access control, it protects customer confidential information, meeting industry requirements for information security management. When equipment vibration or temperature exceeds threshold values, the exclusive smart algorithm of i4.0GW® Intelligent 4.0 Guideway can maintain the equipment timely, alert managers, and prevent the scrapping of high-value products (such as wafers and substrates), thus improving product yield, saving unnecessary labor costs, and avoiding production loss due to downtime. It maintains the expected production capacity for clients, maximizing OEE while also focusing on environmental protection and energy conservation, becoming the best partner for smart manufacturing.
A Practitioner of Green Manufacturing: Collaborating with the Supply Chain and Clients Towards Net Zero Emissions Target
Climate changes has become extremely severe, with record high temperatures worldwide.The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) jointly formed the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Aiming to limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C, the initiative researches and estimates the carbon reduction targets and pathways that each industry must set, and encourage businesses be a part of low-carbon transition, and work together to creatively implement carbon reduction.
In response to the Paris Agreement’s climate goal of limiting global temperature rise to within 1.5°C, HIWIN has signed up for the SBTi, committing to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050. We work together with our supply chain and customers to demonstrate our determination to address climate change and protect the natural environment.
Based on the methodology specified by SBTi, HIWIN systematically analyzes data to set specific carbon reduction targets and paths for Scopes 1, 2, and 3. We aim to establish these targets within two years and submit them to SBTi for review. Using 2021 as the base year, Scopes 1 and 2 will see an absolute reduction of at least 4.2% annually compared to the base year. For Scope 3, using 2022 as the base year, we aim for an annual absolute reduction of at least 2.5%, striving to limit global warming to within 1.5°C. This marks a new milestone for HIWIN GROUP’s sustainable development. We are also formulating four core strategies: improving energy efficiency, innovating lowcarbon products, reducing waste through a circular economy, and introducing renewable energy, to fully implement carbon reduction actions.
A Builder of Diversity in the Workplace: Encouraging Employees for Proactive Health Management and Diverse Learning
HIWIN emphasizes on the internalization of health beliefs, highlighting that behavior is decided autonomously by individuals. It encourages employees to proactively manage their own health. To ensure enthusiastic participation in health promotion activities, the content is considered from multiple angles and types, including self-directed exercise, health check-ups and follow-ups, participation in internal events, and other activities (example: quitting smoking and weight loss). To facilitate the certification process, we collaborate with external vendors, adding the option to upload information via the WALKII APP. The app combines mini-games and wearable device integration, increasing employees’ willingness to upload related activity proofs. Participation in 2023 increased by 8.66% compared to 2022.
“Safety” and “Health” are fundamental responsibilities for every employee, and it is essential to prevent workplace hazards. Through Safety Moment microlearning activities, HIWIN encourages case sharing among employees, reinforcing safety and health awareness and actions.
In 2023, both the disabling injury frequency rate (F.R.) and disabling injury severity rate (S.R.) were lower than the overall performance and cross-sectional rates of 2022 and the threeyear average.
In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Ministry of Labor (Taiwan-OSHA), held the inaugural Sustainable Leading Enterprise in Healthy Workforce Award in 2023, evaluating 633 ESG Reports. HIWIN was recognized as an outstanding enterprise, honoring our practical performance in promoting safety, health, and SDGs. If the maintenance of safety and health by various departments is seen as planting seeds, and the actual actions of employees as nutrients, we believe that with the continuous nourishment from the team, HIWIN’s safety and health culture will grow stronger each year, becoming a forest of safety and health.
An Achiever of Common Good in Society: Contributing Industry Experience to Cultivate Precision Machinery Talent
Global Chairman Eric Y. T. Chuo (Ph.D.), founder of the HIWIN GROUP, has significantly contributed to the development of the industry and technological education in Taiwan. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering by National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) in 2015 and serves as an advisory committee member of the NTUST Industry-Academia Innovation College (INNC), offering valuable industry experience to cultivate outstanding talents.
In 2023, HIWIN signed a 12-year long-term cooperation agreement with NTUST INNC to provide students with broader paths in research and development, more diverse and forward-looking development, and expand the innovative landscape of Taiwan’s technological talents. This cooperation aims to create a new industry-academia cooperation paradigm through four core areas: knowledge exchange, technological innovation, talent cultivation, and resource sharing.
NTUST and HIWIN GROUP establish a close connection through industry-academia cooperation programs, jointly cultivating talents in smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy technology. Through management training, innovative R&D courses, and international exchanges, we aim to nurture talents in the machinery industry, strengthen technical foundations, and cultivate globally competitive technological and management talents.