At 31 December 2021
- 1,606 companies, of which 67% have fewer than 100 employees
- 280,000 worksites and projects in 2021
- 219,299 employees worldwide in nearly 120 countries
- 75.6% Europe (45.9% in France)
- 11.8% Americas
- 6.6% Africa
- 3.9% Asia and the Middle East
- 2.1% Oceania
- 85% in OECD countries
Companies in the Group frequently undertake project-based work. This means that they provide services over periods ranging from a few weeks to a few years, for projects of varying sizes and natures. They work with a variety of partners, service providers and subcontractors, also for varying periods of time. The projects they work on can involve anywhere from a few to a few thousand workers, in different geographical areas. Sometimes the Group’s companies are the subcontracting companies, but just as often they are subcontractors themselves. In either case, they depend on and must answer to customers with widely ranging requirements and priorities regarding environmental, employment and social issues. They work in continually changing environments, with each project having its own ecosystem.
Any action taken must be targeted and adapted to address the project’s specific operational, social and environmental issues.
Another feature of the construction, energy and concessions businesses is the fact that operations are often highly integrated, meaning that a significant portion of the supply chain operates on VINCI sites. Subcontractors and temporary workers of all levels work directly alongside the Group’s teams at its construction and operation sites. Due to this situation, the subcontractor supply chain is closely monitored and subject to the same rules as the direct workers. Given the cyclical nature of the Group’s business activities, subcontractors and temporary employment agencies fulfil an essential role and account for a significantly high volume of purchases. Accordingly, they have been given a high priority among the areas for improvement addressed in VINCI’s duty of vigilance plan. The Group’s other purchases (the main categories of which include materials, such as concrete and bitumen, and purchased or leased worksite equipment) are also, by nature, mainly local and often part of a short supply chain. They are gradually being incorporated into the Group’s duty of vigilance plan (see paragraph 2.2, “Relations with suppliers and subcontractors”, page 197).
36% of purchases are for subcontracting services
Whatever the business activities or projects of VINCI companies, and regardless of whether their customers are public (such as public or local authorities or government-owned companies) or private (such as property developers or other private-sector companies), VINCI’s companies invariably serve customers who order the design or construction of infrastructure or who delegate its management, maintenance and operation. VINCI companies perform their work under contract and report continuously on their activity to their customers and, in some cases, to the inspection bodies and regulators in charge of project monitoring and inspection. In an intensely competitive industry, VINCI companies not only meet the requirements set by customers, but also strive to spread best practices, including in social and environmental matters, while complying with applicable laws and the Group’s commitments. Projects undertaken on behalf of public authorities increasingly include social and environmental obligations that are reported on and verified on a regular basis. Lastly, Group companies operate within a value chain involving a large number of players (architects, design firms, engineers, regulators, inspectors, investors, lenders, partners, government and local authorities, etc.) in addition to its customers. Since Group companies do not necessarily act as the subcontracting company, they are not always in a position to choose which service providers, techniques and supplies are employed.
34% of customers are public sector organisations
VINCI takes all of these parameters into account in designing and implementing vigilance measures that are relevant and effective with regard to its organisation, business activities and value chain.
4.2 Duty of vigilance with regard to health and safety
As its activities carry inherent risks, health and safety at work is a priority issue for VINCI. The Group’s aim is to achieve zero accidents, a goal that applies to all employees and external staff working at construction or operating sites under the control of a Group company. Due to continually changing jobs, materials, equipment, techniques, processes and new technologies, there is a need to continuously reinforce health and safety practices. VINCI not only applies rules and procedures, but also continuously fosters a culture of safety for all. The Group’s safety culture permeates every level of the organisation and involves all employees from site teams to managers, including temporary and subcontractor staff.