Coats Group plc, the world’s leading manufacturer of thread and structural components for apparel and footwear and an innovative pioneer in performance materials, is proud to announce the publication of a whitepaper in partnership with Great Place To Work®, the number one authority on workplace culture. “Weaving Global Patterns of Wellbeing” explores the comprehensive strategies and initiatives that Coats has implemented to enhance employee wellbeing across its global operations.
The whitepaper provides insights into Coats’ flagship Energy4Performance (E4P) programme, which supports employees and is grounded in the belief that employees perform their best when they feel their best. The E4P programme has been instrumental in rolling out over 500 initiatives with more than 54,000 hours of employee activity globally, including yoga classes, mental health training, and community service activities, all tailored to meet the diverse needs of Coats’ workforce in 55 markets where it operates, from Vietnam and China to Europe and the U.S.
Coats has seen tangible benefits from the E4P programme, which has led to a 6% increase in employee engagement and 5% increase in wellbeing since its launch. Coats’ culture first approach is supported by the fact that 92% of Coats employees want to stay compared to 61% at a typical global workplace.
Coats’ commitment to supporting its people is challenging industry norms and changing the lives of workers all over the world in many of the developing countries in which Coats operates. The whitepaper highlights several key initiatives and their positive impact on employee wellbeing, including:
- Mental Energy: Training managers to provide ‘first aid’ for mental health and establishing counselling rooms and activity spaces in Coats Shenzhen, China.
- Physical Energy: Launching the Clear Vision Workplace Programme in Coats Bangladesh, providing on-site eye screenings and eyeglasses at no cost to employees.
- Social Energy: Opening a nursery for employees in Ambas, India, to support working parents and boost social community.
- Emotional Energy: Providing clean drinking water to the community in Pleret, Indonesia, and supporting local volunteer programmes.
David Paja, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Coats takes immense pride in the positive impact we have on our workers and their families all over the world. Our E4P programme is a testament to our dedication to fostering a culture of care and innovation. The passion of our people is a vital competitive advantage for our business, investing in people to produce the best long-term results. Partnering with Great Place To Work® allows us to continue fostering an ethical environment where every employee feels valued and supported.”
Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work®, commented on the partnership: “We are excited to partner with Coats, recognised by Great Place To Work® and Fortune Media as one of the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production™, and help them expand the reach and impact of their wellness initiatives. Coats’ commitment to employee wellbeing sets a new industry standard, and its efforts are creating better outcomes for the business and its employees all around the world.”
The research partnership with Great Place To Work® supports Coats in collecting data and conducting a series of analyses to further strengthen the company’s inclusive, supportive, and unique culture. The E4P programme stands as Coats’ flagship initiative in its wellbeing strategy, guiding countries to tailor their wellbeing efforts based on specific local needs while adhering to a unified vision.
