According to the Sustainability Disclosure Database, ATI has an incomplete profile, and does not provide a score for their sustainable practices. However, this does not mean that they do not have any protocols to help conserve both their own expenses, while also helping the environment. ATI has a number of new, innovative theories on how to conserve many of the materials that they use to save money, help the environment, and please shareholders. ATI has made it clear through their website that they are committed to two main ideas, conservation and donations. According to their official website, ATI has set out to reduce energy intensity by 5%, reduce CO2 emissions by 5%, and increase recycled materials from 75% to 80%. All of these promises do two strategic functions for the company. The first is to please shareholders or potential investors of the company, as these things are important to have as a large company because they have the opportunity to give back to the community. The second function that this does for the company is the ability to brand themselves as a green organization. Although this doesn’t sound like it could serve for much as a company, it is a valuable trait that not all companies can offer. Little aspects like these can lead to a transaction with ATI over their competitors, and they are aware of that and try to earn as much revenue as possible by promoting things like these.
In terms of corporate social responsibility at the product level, ATI is one of the industry leaders with how they are able to save. They have committed to waste elimination by using additive manufacturing (3D printing) in their production process. By 3D printing, ATI is able to construct exactly what they need, no more or no less. This ends up saving the company and the environment in many ways. It saves trucking companies from having to use gas and pollute the air when transporting excess scrap metal and other supplies that aren’t needed. Besides using printed materials, ATI has also applied recyclable materials to its products. This in a way also has the same effect on conserving the environment, as new supplies aren’t necessary every time a product needs to be made. ATI recently completed their STAL Joint Venture, a state of the art facility in Shanghai, China. Since its completion, it has been praised as the leader in safety standards for the market, and more specifically in China. Studies suggest that their safety features have actually led to a safer workplace.
With discussion that President Trump is going to possibly impose a tariff on Chinese imports and exports, ATI has to simply wait for their decision and adjust accordingly. If these tariffs do in fact take place, ATI has threatened to shut down one of their plants in central Pennsylvania. These taxes have huge implications on the company, as they deal heavily with Chinese product, specifically the metals that China is able to product at such a low cost. This is not the first time that ATI has had issues with legal efforts like these, as they have had to close other plants in the past. Laying off workers is never something that a company is happy to do, but with the situation that may present itself, it might be necessary. ATI constantly has to deal with the battles between public perception and ethical behavior, and at times it can seem difficult, but the company has done a good job of protecting their image the best they can.
ATI Sustainability Report. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.atimetals.com/aboutati/Pages/sustainability-report.aspx
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