Vilmorin & Cie - Annual report 2017-2018

PRESENTATION of Vilmorin & Cie 1 ANNUAL REPORT Vilmorin & Cie 58 2017-2018 Particular risk factors include: risks related to mechanical and electrical equipment, risks related to the working environment, risks related to exposure to chemical agents, risks of industrial accidents, risks of road traffic accidents (commuting or business trip accidents). Managing the risk The Group places the safety and working conditions of its employees at the top of its priorities. In 2015, Vilmorin & Cie set itself the ambitious objective of halving the frequency rate of accidents with lost time within 3 years. This frequency rate, which stood at 10 at the beginning of 2015, stood at 6.66 in 2017-2018. Each year, the prevention program is reinforced by new actions: training, safety diagnostics, improved reporting, strengthening the network of safety managers. In 2017-2018, priority was given to addressing four major safety risks: fire, chemicals, working at heights, and machines in motion. As part of its fire prevention and insurance plan, the group analyzed the prevention reports and identified the need to strengthen the protection of its sites against fire, as well as the measures to prevent this risk, such as warehousing, storage and hot spot work practices. A three-year plan providing for investments dedicated to fire risk prevention was updated during the year with the industrial managers of the group's companies. 1.7.3.7. Risks related to the security of staff and property Identification of the risk Vilmorin & Cie is exposed to risks of harm to persons, especially because of its international scope. A significant proportion of its employees, whether they are expatriates, local staff, or on business trips, are exposed to a variety of risks in different countries (acts of terrorism, armed conflicts, riots, criminal activity). Vilmorin & Cie is also exposed to the risk of malicious attacks on its property (production plant, production inventory, products from its research, etc.). Theft and deliberate damage are the main risks involved in this category. New forms of attempts to attack the security of property were confirmed during fiscal year 2017-2018: attempts of cyber-fraud, site intrusion, etc. Risk management Vilmorin & Cie has implemented a monitoring and alert procedure in countries with risks in order to limit staff exposure, for example through accompaniment during business trips or even restrictions on such trips. Guidelines on risks in different countries have been written and are regularly updated. In order to provide help and information in the event of difficulties, the capacity to locate staff away on business trips at all times has been deployed. Finally, fast repatriation solutions have been set up. This organization has been completed by crisis management procedures dealing with the nature of these risks. In addition, since 2017, Vilmorin & Cie has been listed as a partner company by the Crisis and Support Centre of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and participates in the annual meetings for the security of French companies abroad. With regard to the risk of damage to property, Vilmorin & Cie is constantly strengthening the protection measures at its sites and, more generally, its security and crisis management policy. All these measures are coordinated by a Corporate Safety/Security Manager. 1.7.3.8. Risks related to information systems Identification of the risk The information system and digital data are an essential support for the management and development of all of Vilmorin & Cie’s activities, whether administrative, industrial, commercial or research. Thus, any attack on the availability, integrity, confidentiality or traceability of the information system or digital data, whether malicious or accidental, could have a negative impact on Vilmorin & Cie’s activities and results. However, Vilmorin & Cie is no more likely to suffer such an attack than any other organization pursuing an economic, commercial, research or government activity. Given its dependence on information systems and digital data, the nature and geographical distribution of its activities, its organization, current threats, and the risk assessment specific to each subsidiary, Vilmorin & Cie considers that the main risks related to information systems are as follows: theft (unauthorized copying) of access or computer equipment by breaking and entering or exploiting gullibility (phishing, social engineering, e-mail or telephone scams), computer intrusion or ransom by exploiting technical vulnerabilities or exploiting gullibility, denial of service by network load saturation. 1.7. Risk factors