Achievements in Sustainability

ESG Feature Stories

An Innovator of Industrial Transformation : Collaborating with the Smart Manufacturing Advancement Alliance to Create a Better Future

• (1) HIWIN is an industry innovation leader

With the rapid advancement of smart manufacturing, 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 sector.

• (2) Innovative Value-Addition – Building Competitive Advantages across the Supply Chain

HIWIN’s i4.0BS _® intelligent ballscrew exemplifies the concept of innovative value-addition, bolstering competitiveness throughout the supply chain. This product offers three key advantages: ① Facilitating the machinery industry’s transition to smart machinery and smart manufacturing, ② Providing predictive maintenance capabilities to address workforce shortages resulting from declining birth rates, and ③ Adhering to ESG sustainability principles by reducing defect rates and carbon emissions. Forbes report on ” The 10 Biggest Future Trends in Manufacturing ” confirms that HIWIN’s i4.0BS _® intelligent ballscrew aligns with seven major trends. For instance, by employing sensors to monitor the ballscrew's condition in real-time and integrating Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, users can leverage innovative features to enhance the value of machine tools, improve product quality, boost production efficiency, and lower costs. Consequently, this product aids Taiwan's machine tool industry in enhancing competitiveness.

A Practitioner of Green Manufacturing: HIWIN was Awarded the World’s First ISO 46001:2019 Water Efficiency Management System Certificate from TÜV Rheinland, Germany

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency of droughts, wildfires, and catastrophic torrential rains worldwide. This has led to a growing challenge of uncertain water supply for humanity. In Taiwan, the main sources of precipitation are the rainy season and typhoons. However, “ the hundred-year drought ” at the beginning of 2021 had a significant impact on agriculture and semiconductor production, highlighting the direct impact of water scarcity on business operations. In response to this challenge, HIWIN took proactive measures and obtained the first ISO 46001:2019 Water Efficiency Management System certificate from TÜV Rheinland in November 2022.

The ISO 46001:2019 Water Efficiency Management System provides guidelines for water usage in the enterprise. It covers the establishment of operational activities and water efficiency indicators, measurement, reporting, procurement, and personnel training. The goal is to improve the efficiency of water equipment, systems, and processes. With the guidance of the Taiwan Green Productivity Foundation, HIWIN headquarters has implemented several measures to enhance water efficiency. These measures include reducing water consumption, installing water reclaiming devices on water-consuming equipment, and implementing smart monitoring systems.

HIWIN is actively implementing water-saving measures, increasing the reuse rates of reclaimed water resources, and implementing water pollution prevention measures to mitigate the risks of water scarcity. Additionally, HIWIN is encouraging its employees to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote water conservation, clean water, and sanitation in their daily activities. In 2022, HIWIN successfully reclaimed 56,751 metric tons of water, out of a total water withdrawal of 673,357 metric tons, resulting in a water reclaiming rate of 8.4%.

A Builder of Diversity in the Workplace: Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

The female employment rate at HIWIN has been steadily increasing and reached approximately 16% in 2022. Among these female employees, 10.2% are supervisors, accounting for 15.4% of the total number of supervisors in the company. Female colleagues are provided with opportunities for growth within their units, involvement in important projects, and the ability to implement their ideas. This fosters the growth of teams and organizations.

HIWIN is dedicated to creating a welcoming work environment and establishing a high-quality atmosphere. This commitment aims to attract diverse talents and expand the company’s global presence. Eric Y.T. Chuo, the founder of HIWIN and Global Chairman, recognizes the importance of harnessing the warm energy of both male and female individuals, as they make up half of the available resources. From the beginning, HIWIN has actively embraced the power of women, who have played a crucial role in overcoming the company’s challenges. Female leaders, such as Presidents Enid H.C. Tsai and Mei Li Liu, have exemplified strong leadership and dedication to HIWIN’s success, serving as shining examples of women ‘s strength within the organization.

President Enid H.C. Tsai has led the team in successfully implementing various missions of the HIWIN brand. As of 2022, HIWIN has completed trademark registrations in 85 industrialized countries, including the United States, Japan, and Europe. With over 30 years of commitment to cultivating the HIWIN brand, President Enid H.C. Tsai deeply understands that ” research and development innovation is the invisible wing of an enterprise’s brand, and intellectual property rights are the cornerstone of sustainable operation. ” As a brand manager, it is crucial to stay current and for the management team to maintain agility and flexibility.

President Mei Li Liu, a key female executive highly valued by HIWIN, has been with the company for 25 years and is currently serving in HIWIN Switzerland. She began her career at HIWIN Germany in 1999, starting from the ground up and gaining valuable business experience. With her exceptional communication and coordination skills, expertise in products and international trade, and her determined and adaptable nature, she brought a fresh energy to the growing HIWIN Germany. Under her leadership, the subsidiary‘s annual revenue has increased from 4 million euros to 100 million euros in 2018. Additionally, she has actively promoted and enhanced the talent cultivation system, resulting in many of her colleagues becoming crucial executives in various units of HIWIN Germany.

In recognition of her outstanding performance, Mei Li Liu was promoted to President of HIWIN Switzerland in 2020. Currently, she is dedicated to the development and expansion of the organization.

An Achiever of Common Good in Society: “We Love Living Here” – An Example of Biodiversity Conservation

When establishing the factories, HIWIN’s Founder, Global Chairman Eric Y.T. Chuo, took into account not only production and operational aspects but also the landscape and green beautification design of the facilities. He ensured that space was reserved for planting and seasonal flowers, setting HIWIN’s factories apart from typical industrial sites that may seem rigid and cold. Instead, the company’s factories showcase a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, creating a friendly and pleasant working environment.

During the construction of HIWIN’s Yunlin Factory I in 2010, the company adopted 12 Taiwanese native camphor trees. This not only provided a new home for the old trees but also offered HIWIN’s employees a green and beautiful space to relax. Under the dedicated care of HIWIN’s gardening team, the old camphor trees thrive with lush foliage and graceful shapes. The vibrant and flourishing camphor trees also serve as a welcoming habitat for various bird species to nest and reproduce within the premises of HIWIN. In the morning, as the birds fly out of the factory area to search for food and play, HIWIN’s employees start arriving at work. As evening approaches, the employees gradually leave for the day, while the birds return to rest on the trees within the factory premises. The daily cycle of nature and human activity never ends. However, the bird droppings have caused inconvenience to the company’s employees, including droppings from birds perched on the beams of the parking lot onto the cars. Especially during sunset, when the birds hover in the air between buildings, it creates numerous disturbances.

President Enid H.C. Tsai always thinks differently. While her colleagues may see disturbances, she contemplates why so many birds choose to make their homes in the old tree area of HIWIN. Out of curiosity and love for nature, President Enid H.C. Tsai invited director Yu Shu Liu to explore and document the diverse bird species living in the small forest of HIWIN. In January 2021, HIWIN Education Foundation commissioned the optical team ” Swarovski Optik in Taiwan ” from Yunlin to conduct an ecological record of the birdlife in the old tree area of Yunlin Factory. The survey lasted nearly two years, enduring all kinds of weather conditions. The team tracked 36 bird species actively present in the old tree area and a total of 72 species within a one-kilometer radius of the factory. Commonly observed species include sparrows, crested mynas, light-vented bulbul, Swinhoe’s white-eye, black drongo, and red turtle dove.

Film ” We Love Living Here ” not only represents the aspiration for harmonious coexistence between HIWIN’s employees and the natural ecology in the factory area but also serves as educational material for schools. The video aims to inspire students to protect the natural environment and uphold the concept of biodiversity conservation.