Beyond our own horizon
As a global player, the responsibility we carry for our actions extends far beyond our products, our employees, and the Company. This social responsibility is deeply rooted in our tradition and is part of the underlying basic values of the MAHLE Group. Only by dealing responsibly with one another can we create long-term values that bring more than just economic benefit. Our goals are formulated in such a way that they create ecological, social, and cultural added value via the MAHLE Foundation and our national companies. We are thus committed to improving the quality of life and the environment in the geographical and social surroundings in which we operate, and are committed to numerous social and cultural projects worldwide.
The MAHLE Foundation: acting socially—operating sustainably
In 1964, with the aim of assuming more social responsibility, the Company founders Hermann and Dr.Ernst Mahle set up the MAHLE Foundation and transferred their ownership of the Company to the Foundation. The Foundation pursues its mandate with a high level of social commitment: It sponsors forward-looking projects in the areas of health care, youth development and welfare, schooling, general adult education and vocational training, and biodynamic farming.
The Foundation is increasingly expanding its sphere of influence at an international level: It sponsors medical and social projects in Brazil, for example, and other countries. At present, it supports underprivileged youth through support programs in Brazil and is making an increased commitment to anthroposophical medicine.
Commitment that goes the extra mile
Outside the MAHLE Foundation, the Company and its employees are also involved worldwide in numerous other projects for social causes. These education and health promotion projects rely primarily on the voluntary commitment of our employees.
In Germany, we support numerous social and cultural projects, such as the UNESCO World Youth Festival, and participate in a program that helps young people in choosing careers and entering the job market. In Great Britain, we support the British air ambulance service and sponsor the “Elim Newlife Foundation”, a foundation that provides humanitarian and medical aid as well as support for the reintegration and training of Kosovan refugees. In North America, we support the United Way aid organization, both in an organizational sense and with donations. In addition, every year, many MAHLE employees set aside a portion of their income for social causes and launch a number of campaigns to raise donations for charitable organizations.
These are just a few examples of a wealth of activities with which MAHLE sets a pioneering example worldwide. This shows that the employees, as well as the executives and managers of the national companies and of the Group as a whole, do not define their remit in terms of economic key figures alone, but in a more comprehensive sense. They accept responsibility in their community, in line with the principle of being a "good neighbor".