At Keller, we recognise the importance of collaborating with organisations that understand our values and commitments, and the ways of working and the standards by which we operate. Partnering with these ‘like-minded’ organisations helps us drive change in our organisation and the wider geotechnical industry.
Industry partnerships
Many of our senior managers play key roles in the geotechnical professional associations and activities around the world.
In Europe, a number of employees are part of the European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC), which is also chaired by Andreas Körbler from Keller. In Keller North America, employees are active participants in geotechnical engineering and construction trade groups, including the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), ASCE/Geo-Institute and ADSC International Association of Foundation Drilling.
Our North American engineers also hold leadership positions on multiple national technical committees (including committees on sustainability) and local and university chapters; many have served as members of the board of directors for these organisations.
Finally, in AMEA, Keller plays an important role in the local professional societies, with Keller employees holding leading positions in multiple trade associations, including in ASEAN and India. We also support trade conferences across our divisions, including the combined American and European trade conference. Sustainability is an increasing focus in the industry. We work with a number of universities on sustainability initiatives, focusing on wholecompany innovation, specific geotechnical products such as grouting and vibro stone columns, and key geotechnical projects.
We wrote the sustainability overview for the European Federation of Foundation Contractors and helped with the drafting of the American DFI sustainability guide. We are also helping to compile sustainability best practice guides with the European and American trade associations.
Charitable partnerships
Our business units support a broad range of groups and charities, depending on what is most important to them locally. This may involve fundraising or donating money, time or skills. Keller encourages its employees to support a range of charities, and has long committed to pledging to a charity the same value (up to £2,000 per annum) of any funds raised by an employee. We again supported The Brilliant Breakfast in 2023 with an increased donation of nearly £15,000. Working with The Prince’s Trust, this UK initiative aims to change the lives of young women by helping them gain the skills needed to live, learn and earn.
Case study
The KELLER Foundation - Ukraine
Our charitable arm – the KELLER Foundation (Fundacja KELLER) – continues to provide support to colleagues and their families affected by the war in Ukraine.
At the outbreak of the conflict, our team in Poland acted quickly to help affected Keller employees and their families. Since then, the foundation has helped 29 families relocate to Poland, Latvia and Estonia, and each month helps them pay for housing, food, clothes, heating and education.
To support the foundation and raise much-needed funds, Keller ran an activity challenge for colleagues and their friends and families.
Using the Virgin Pulse health and wellbeing platform, teams from across the Keller world tracked activities such as running, cycling and gardening, for eight weeks. These were then converted to steps and distance travelled.
22,000 miles and 44 million steps later, Keller was delighted to donate £30,000 to the foundation in recognition of our colleagues’ commendable achievements.
“This incredibly successful challenge is a wonderful gesture by the Keller community,” says Michał Nowakowski, HSEQ Director North-East Europe, who sits on the foundation’s board. “The money raised will provide valuable assistance to these families for several more months.”
“Unfortunately, the war continues and while it does, we want to be able to help the families. For many, we are the last resort.”
More information on the foundation, including how to donate and real stories from colleagues, can be found on Keller Poland’s website.
I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support – I’m so proud to be part of such a fantastic and compassionate organisation.
HSEQ Director North-East Europe
Case study
Keller's partnership with UNICEF
Following a £300,000 donation to their COVID-19 vaccines appeal in 2021, Keller has continued its three-year partnership with UNICEF UK, with a funding contribution of £250,000 in 2022 and 2023.
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories, including some of the world’s toughest places to reach. Keller’s funding is without restrictions and can be used flexibly by UNICEF for children and their families wherever and whenever the need is greatest.
Many of the problems facing children are interconnected; for example, a hungry child will have difficulty learning at school and a child without access to clean water is more likely to suffer from disease. UNICEF therefore supports across the entire lifecycle of a child.
Interconnected problems require interconnected solutions. UNICEF designs solutions to respond to the experience of every child. It aims to ensure children survive and thrive, and are able to contribute to their family, community and society.
This approach aligns well with Keller’s own focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in particular in the areas of good health, quality education and gender equality.
For over 75 years UNICEF has responded to emergencies, doing whatever it takes to reach children all around the world to ensure children can fulfil their potential and grow up healthy and safe. Keller is proud to support UNICEF’s work in providing life-saving aid to millions of children facing terrible conflicts and disasters at this time in countries such as Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.”
Group Company Secretary and Legal Advisor