Hypertherm releases 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, today announced the release of its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, providing an update on all areas of CSR measured by Hypertherm including community engagement, environmental impact, and Associate well-being.

This year’s report highlights work to expand the depth and reach of Hypertherm’s global CSR programs. For example, the report shows that all but one of Hypertherm’s global teams has achieved at least One Leaf status as part of Hypertherm’s Greener Cuts internal certification process. HOPE Teams, responsible for grantmaking and facilitating volunteerism, are now established in all countries in which Hypertherm has a business presence, and Hypertherm’s Wellness Program is available to all Associates. The 2018 report also marks the first year of working toward adherence to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework.

Participation in the company’s Community Service Time program remains strong regardless of geographic location with 85 percent of Associates actively participating last year. In total, Associates served 25,957 hours for a combined total of more than 165,000 hours since the program’s inception in 2003. In addition to volunteering, Hypertherm provided financial support to more than 100 nonprofits through its HOPE (Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors) Foundation which continues to place added emphasis on two strategic initiatives: SHAPE for STEM and Substance User Disorder. More than 1,000 elementary through high school students were exposed to STEM at Hypertherm through educational tours, job shadows, internships, and hands-on workshops last year alone. The second initiative, launched in response to a substance use disorder (SUD) crisis impacting the country, saw Hypertherm’s designation as the first Recovery Friendly Workplace in the state.

Environmental gains include the diversion of more than 2,500 metric tons of waste—the equivalent weight of 2,020 Honda Civics—from landfills, the addition of several vehicle charging stations to its two largest New Hampshire locations, and more efficient electricity use despite increased production. In addition, Hypertherm reports success with low carbon commuting, reducing miles driven by more than 4.6 million miles since the start of that program in 2010. When it comes to Associate well-being, Hypertherm continues to report workplace injury rates well below the national average. For 2018, Hypertherm posted a safety incidence rate of 2 compared with an industry average of 4.1.

“Hypertherm is making steady progress toward its CSR goals and our journey will never end,” said Jenny Levy, Hypertherm’s vice-president of people, community, and environment. “We are working to balance the needs of our industrial cutting business with people and the planet, which we know will make our business stronger for the long term.”

Hypertherm designs and manufactures industrial cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes cutting systems, in addition to CNC motion and height controls, CAM nesting software, robotic software and consumables. Hypertherm systems are trusted for performance and reliability that result in increased productivity and profitability for hundreds of thousands of businesses. The company’s reputation for cutting innovation dates back 50 years to 1968, with Hypertherm’s invention of water injection plasma cutting. The 100 percent associate owned company has more than 1,400 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide.