National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI), a part of the US$ 2.8 billion CK Birla Group, is India's leading bearings manufacturer. The company is also at the forefront when it comes to societal wellbeing and environmental as well as infrastructural elevation of the region they operate in. Their CSR strategy is created around four pillars of Societal Contribution, Environmental Conservation, Motivating Work Environment, and Responsible Partnerships.
NEI’s initiatives are diverse and impactful. Noteworthy projects include an oxygen generation plant at SMS Hospital, ensuring a stable supply during uncertain times, toilet construction in alignment with Swach Bharat Abhiyan and extensive tree plantation drives as well as civic infrastructure projects in Jaipur. Their support for CII NBC Model Career Centre bridges skill-employment gaps, embodying their commitment to upliftment. NEI’s sustainability vision targets carbon neutrality by 2039, focusing on energy efficiency and renewables. This vision aligns seamlessly with CK Birla Group's broader sustainability goals.
In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, Rohit Saboo, President & CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd, takes us through their diverse social initiatives and discusses how they envision shaping a future where businesses thrive harmoniously with communities and nature.
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Q. Please give us an overview of the CSR strategy of NEI- what are the key focus areas and how do they align with the overall business objectives of the company?
A. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at National Engineering Industries Limited (NEI) goes beyond business and extends to the implementation of socially relevant activities for the benefit of society at large. This is the core responsibility of NEI to practice its corporate values through its commitment to grow socially and environmentally in a responsible way.
Some of the focus areas that we operate in are as follows:
- Contribution to Society: We contribute towards creating a prosperous and vibrant society through focused social programs.
- Environmental Conservation: We work for conservation of the environment, minimizing detrimental environmental effects and optimally utilizing natural resources.
- Working Environment: We have created a motivating and rewarding environment that inspires a sense of corporate social responsibility.
- Responsible Partnerships: We make efforts to promote fair and ethical business practices among our stakeholders by fostering a sense of social responsibility. We are determined to hold ourselves accountable for the social, environmental, and economic impacts of our operations and are committed to a code of conduct that invokes continued positive change in our industry.
Q. What are the major projects undertaken within these focus areas and what has the impact been like so far?
A. Following are some of the projects undertaken:
Set up an oxygen generation plant for SMS Hospital in Jaipur: Considering the uncertainty brought by the recent pandemic, the goal of this initiative is to ensure that there is self-sufficiency during such critical times in near future. The plant produced oxygen at 750 litres per minute to fill 160-170 oxygen cylinders per day and provided uninterrupted oxygen supply to hospital patients.
Swatch Bahart Abhiyan: Under Swach Bharat Abhiyan, an Initiative by our Prime Minister, we constructed toilets with an objective of increasing the enrollment of girl child in local schools.
Pledged to plant 10,000 trees in Jaipur in an effort to create a green cover for the city: The plantation drive took place to commemorate World Nature Conservation Day and was part of NEI’s overall commitment to sustainable development. Under the initiative, 2500 trees were planted so far, with 7,500 more to be planted over the next three months.
Organised Covid-19, vaccination camp for employees and their family at the Jaipur facility: Covishield vaccines w arranged for this vaccination camp. This camp recorded successful vaccination of over 2000 employees and their immediate family members so far. Earlier, the company had also pledged to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccination for its 2800 employees and their immediate family members.
Donated 100 oxygen concentrators to Rajasthan Government: To help the state cope up with the increased oxygen demand, these concentrators were specially imported to support state’s effort against this Covid-19 battle. Each concentrator was of 10 litres capacity and had dual nozzle to support two patients at a time, if needed.
Q. Can you elaborate on NEI’s recent tree plantation drive in Jagatpura, Jaipur and the significance of this project with respect to the region. How do you ensure the long-term survival and maintenance of the trees that have been planted as part of its CSR initiatives?
A. We pledged to plant 10,000 trees in Jagatpura, Jaipur in an effort to create a green cover for the city. The plantation drive took place to commemorate World Nature Conservation Day and was part of NEI’s overall commitment to sustainable development. Under the initiative, 7500 trees were planted with 2,500 more to be planted over the next three months.
To plant trees, NEI has partnered with the Safearth Foundation, an NGO that is on a mission to reduce annual global emissions and build grassroots coping mechanisms in the communities that will be hit hardest by the threats of climate change. Through the partnership, the organization not only ensured the plantation of trees but also made sure that the trees are native to their environments and that they will be nurtured and monitored over time. Also, NEI paid for the maintenance as well to the NGO to ensure they survive.
In addition to planting trees, NEI also distributed 5,000 plants to its employees on World Nature Conservation Day in an effort to create awareness about nature conservation.
Q. What motivated NEI to support the CII NBC Model Career Centre, and how does this initiative align with the company's CSR goals?
A. We recognize the pressing need for skill development and employment opportunities in India. The country's workforce is vast and diverse, but there's a significant gap between the skills possessed by job seekers and the requirements of the job market. This gap often results in unemployment or underemployment. By partnering with the CII NBC Model Career Centre, we aim to bridge this divide by providing skill development and job placement services to young individuals.
Secondly, the company acknowledges its responsibility to the communities it operates in. CSR initiatives are an integral part of NEI' commitment to social welfare and sustainable development. Supporting a career center reflects the company's dedication to giving back to society and uplifting the lives of the people in the regions where it operates.
We understand that investing in skill development and education not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the overall economic growth of the nation. When young people are equipped with the right skills and opportunities, they become a valuable resource for the country's progress.
Q. Could you provide insights into the parks and areas around railway stations and airports that NEI sponsors and their impact on the local community and environment?
A. We maintain several areas in Jaipur including parks at the airport, railway station, Police Commissionerate office, SMS stadium, etc. This initiative goes beyond mere beautification and contributes to a more vibrant and enjoyable urban environment. It has a positive impact on the local community by creating attractive, environmentally friendly spaces that offer recreational opportunities and serve as gathering places for residents and travelers alike.
Q. The upcoming projects mentioned on your website relate to some direct projects and payments to NGOs such as Jagriti and Anurag Sangeet. Are there any specific parameters that guide you while choosing projects to support?
A. Yes, we are helping to provide education to underprivileged children and Music education to visually impaired people through these NGOs. We are also associated with MFJCF (Jaipur Citizen Forum with Mohan Foundation) which works for the cause of organ and tissue donation.
There are several parameters that the CSR committee evaluates before associating with any project. The project should align with our CSR goals such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, community development, etc. Also, it should have a meaningful and measurable impact on the target beneficiaries or the community at large. It should also be relevant to the communities where we operate or have a significant presence.
Q. How does NEI engage with local communities near its facilities, and what community development projects or initiatives have been undertaken?
- Skill Development Programs- These programs aim to enhance the employability of local youth by providing training in areas relevant to the industry.
- Healthcare Initiatives: These initiatives include free medical check-ups, distribution of essential medicines, and awareness campaigns on health and hygiene.
- Education Support –We provide scholarships to underprivileged students, donate educational materials, or renovate school infrastructure to create a more conducive learning environment.
- Environmental Conservation: This includes tree planting drives, waste management programs, or continued efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations.
- Community Infrastructure Development:We work towards building or renovating community centers, parks, or public facilities.
The exact nature and extent of NEI's community engagement initiatives may vary depending on the location and the specific needs of each community. The company typically conducts a needs assessment to ensure that its efforts align with the priorities and aspirations of the local population. This approach ensures that NEI's community development projects have a meaningful and lasting impact on the well-being of the communities near its facilities.
Q. Sustainability is a key factor that is shaping the current business landscape. What are the specific goals and targets set by NEI and how is it progressing in that direction?
A. In response to global concerns about the environment, climate change, and sustainable development, NEI has always gone above and beyond to put sustainability measures in place with the goal of lowering its carbon footprint. It is our aim to become carbon neutral by 2039 for which we implement energy-efficient technologies and practices while increasing the use of renewable energy sources.For instance, to calculate the Green House Gas emissions inventory, we collect activity data from the various locations we identified as sources of GHG emissions. We further aggregate this to the corporate level for calculating our total Carbon footprint. As per the data analysed for immediate bearing manufacturing competitors, for Carbon emission from all 94 manufacturing units around the globe, emission is around 1.225 M tonnes of the net equivalent. On the contrary, NEI has around 0.105 M tonnes of net equivalent Carbon emission from its 5 manufacturing units.
Q. What long-term vision and objectives does NEI have for its CSR and sustainability efforts, and how do these align with the CK Birla Group's broader sustainability goals?
A. We are focused on saving our environment through continued efforts for which our R&D function provides innovative and effective technology with a focus on care for the environment and resource conservation. Our plants in Jaipur and Vadodara are Green Buildings, Platinum Certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and our Jaipur plant, being over 75 years old, is one of the oldest buildings in the country to have this certification.
These objectives align with our group’s philosophy. The CK Birla Group is deeply committed to creating sustainable positive impact. It allocates significant resources to philanthropic initiatives; including those in Science and Technology, Art and Culture, and heritage preservation. The Group also works to improve the livelihoods of rural and underprivileged communities.
