SSAB is an active member of the community in the locations where it operates. SSAB wants to contribute to and support local and international projects of importance to its employees and its local presence. SSAB maintains an open dialogue with politicians, governmental agencies, media and the public, with the objective to contribute to knowledge about steel and steel production.
Supporting local communities and contributing in activities
At Swedish operational sites SSAB contributes to creating a wide range of recreational activities which can be enjoyed by SSABs employees and their families. Examples include sponsorship of local sports organizations and an exchange of knowledge with schools. SSAB also has the possibility of supporting associations, primarily within sport and culture, in which employees are involved.
SSAB Americas engages in extensive work to support the local communities in the areas around the plants. This involves both financial contributions to a number of different projects as well as initiatives by committed employees. Among other things, employees support The United Way with donations, with SSAB making matching contributions. In Mobile, money equivalent to the saving realized by recycling car tires for energy instead of primarily using fossil fuel is donated to an education fund. The employees in Montpelier sponsor and support The Make-a-Wish Foundation, an organization which works to give comfort and support to very sick children.
SSAB is also able to contribute with expert knowledge and SSAB's own products. In January 2010, Haiti was hit by an earthquake that caused thousands of deaths and laid ruin to large areas around the capital of Port-au-Prince. To contribute to the rebuilding, SSAB’s subsidiary Plannja donated 53 tons of roofing plate to be used for schools, orphanages and housing. The galvanized, paint-coated strip products are suitable for roofing, for instance.