Siegwerk Holds Industry-First Supplier Engagement Initiative

Siegwerk held its first supplier engagement sessions under SustainUP, the company’s global sustainable procurement program. The company has been engaging with suppliers over the past few months to address critical human rights topics identified during workers’ voice activities, reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing and long-term sustainability across its supply chain.

The Supplier Engagement Initiative, with a focus on India, was the first of its kind in the inks and coatings industry. It aimed at equipping supplier teams with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to strengthen labor practices and elevate health and safety performance. 

Through globally offered webinars and an intensive workshop in Mumbai, suppliers gained a better understanding of regulatory requirements, sustainable business expectations, and best practices. Siegwerk also shared its own approach and challenges, fostering transparency and collaboration to help suppliers make informed decisions for the future. 

The training program was designed as a collaborative support offering to learn more about Grievance Redressal Mechanism, Fair Wages & Working Hours, and Occupational Health & Safety.

The training initiative was supported by the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), a New Delhi-based think tank, which provided expert guidance and local insights to ensure meaningful engagement. CRB works with multi-stakeholders to enable businesses to integrate sustainability into their core operations. 

The content focused on high-risk areas of the supply chain and was especially designed for small and mid-sized suppliers.

“We need our supplier to walk this path with us,” said Cathleen Hansohm, Global Supplier Sustainability Manager at Siegwerk. “SustainUP is about partnership, trust, and shared responsibility. By supporting our suppliers today, we are enabling a more resilient and sustainable supply chain for tomorrow.”

Building on the success of the first initiative, Siegwerk plans to initiate further projects to strengthen its supply chain and mitigate environmental and social risks.

“Regulations set the floor, but our ambition is impact,” added Hansohm. “By embedding human rights due diligence, decarbonization efforts and environmental responsibility into supplier engagement, SustainUP helps us to turn regulatory expectations into measurable improvements and thus fueling change across our supply chain.”

Siegwerk launched its SustainUP program in mid-2025 to integrate sustainability more strongly into the company’s procurement processes. With SustainUP, Siegwerk grounds its efforts on the perspectives of workers, helping suppliers build practical capabilities, and committing to roadmaps that improve outcomes for people and the environment.