Henkel launches COVID-19 support programme for employees, customers, and communities

Henkel has announced a comprehensive global solidarity programme to support employees, customers and communities facing the global COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a media statement released on 24 March 2020, the programme consists of five key parts:

#1 Ongoing crisis management and safety measures for employees

With the primary objective of doing everything possible to ensure the safety of employees, customers, and business partners, since the onset of the crisis, Henkel has addressed the situation proactively through its crisis management teams on country, regional and global level.

Carsten Knobel, Chief Executive Officer of Henkel, said: “For our employees who continue to work on-site to maintain our operations we have taken extra measures to reduce infection risks. For example, strict protocols in case of suspected infections, increased hygiene, separating shifts and reducing the number of employees working on-site by requesting home office work wherever possible.”

#2 Shifting production facilities to produce disinfectants

To help public institutions and professional groups in the fight against the virus, Henkel plans to produce disinfectants in selected production sites.

#3 Improved payment terms for selected business partners

Henkel will also consider improved payment terms for small and mid-sized hairdressers to support them during the current challenging situation.

#4 £2mn donation to WHO/UN Foundation fund and other organisations

To help fight the pandemic, the Fritz Henkel Foundation will donate £2mn to various global organisations and partners.

£1mn will be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) Foundation. The money will go into providing protective equipment for frontline health workers, equip diagnostic laboratories, improve data collection and analysis, establish and maintain intensive care units as well as to accelerate research and development of potential vaccines and therapeutics.

The remaining £1mn will go be distributed globally to different organisations and partners as well as to support the personal commitment and voluntary engagement of employees fighting the crisis.

#5 Donation of personal and household hygiene products

Henkel will also donate 5 million units of personal and household hygiene products globally. This includes hand sanitizers, soaps and protective equipment as well as detergents, disinfectants and other household cleaning products. Henkel’s corporate citizenship team will implement these donations in close coordination with charity organisations, local authorities and partners around the world.

Knobel said: “At Henkel, we are committed to help addressing this unprecedented challenge. In line with our values, we want to make a contribution through a comprehensive global solidarity program. We stand united in our fight against the pandemic, striving to protect our employees and their jobs, serving our customers and supporting the communities in which we operate. I would also like to thank our global and local crisis teams which have been active since the coronavirus began to spread.”

Photo / 123RF