SigmaKalon Tsunami Action Programme
In the aftermath of the tsunami that devastated so many people's lives on Boxing Day 2004, the world mobilised in a surge of general solidarity from all four corners of the globe. Members of the public, small businesses and large multinationals all did their bit to bring aid to the disaster zones. SigmaKalon was also there, with the difference that the Group preferred to make a very concrete contribution, offering material help rather than a “simple�? collection of money.

Under the impulse of the head of SigmaKalon's subsidiary in Malaysia, Christian Bourhis, and after evaluating the extent of the catastrophe in the locations hit, the entire SigmaKalon Group sprang into action, starting with management. Many of the victims were communities that lived off fishing, and for some their economies had been in a perilous state even before the tsunami hit. SigmaKalon's proposition was a very simple one: help these communities relaunch their economies.

It was decided that SigmaKalon's assistance should take the form of purchasing and repairing fishing boats and equipment, something very much within the group's area of know-how, given its role as the main player in the world of marine paints. In order to ensure the funds were distributed under strict controls, local Group employees acted as a relay in the areas that had been affected by the giant tidal wave. Boat construction was handled by local boat-building yards to avoid importing boats unsuited to local conditions, a mistake inadvertently made by a number of NGOs. Very soon, the field of action was extended to helping relaunch the economies of other devastated areas, as donations started to exceed expectations. No less than EUR 171,000 was collected within the company in gifts to the "SigmaKalon Tsunami Aid Programme" (STAP).

Replanting of trees in France
The Deco France trade network "Le comptoir Seigneurie Gauthier" undertook a project, entitled coup de balai  or "clean sweep", which demonstrated the network's awareness of its environmental responsibility. Between mid-June and mid-July 2005, the French network collected old tins from its customers for recycling by specialist companies. Comptoir Seigneurie Gauthier worked in partnership with the National Service of Forests (ONF), a well-known French public organisation. Afterwards, as a result of the strict adherence by Deco France of the ONF criteria, a long-term partnership with ONF was able to be formed.

For each returned tin Deco France donated 1€ to ONF to replant trees. During the project €40.000 was collected, thanks to the commercial dynamism and professionalism of the Deco France commercial teams. This project will make it possible to plant more than 8,000 trees in a forest in the South of France, which was destroyed by a fire in 2004.

Seigneurie sails the waters off Martinique
For the first time, Seigneurie Martinique sponsored a participant in the annual championship for the "yoles rondes" (local 10 metre-long wooden sailing skiffs). This event runs throughout the year, culminating in the Tour de Martinique race, Martinique's biggest tourist, economic, media, sporting and cultural event of the year.

A total of 21 yoles took part in the race, which was held over an 8-day period from 31 July to 7 August. The teams rely on sponsors for financial support throughout the year, in exchange for advertising space on the sail or hull of the yole, or on crew uniforms. Seigneurie Martinique is proud to be associated with this major event, along with such famous names as Total, Orange, Bouygues, Géant, etc.

In conjunction with E-compagnie, a partner in the recycling of industrial waste, Seigneurie Martinique elected to sponsor the "Baie des Mulets". She is operated by the longest-serving crew in the championship, all of whom are fishermen and who share with Seigneurie the same values of honesty, determination and the desire to excel.

The initial experience proved very rewarding for the SigmaKalon subsidiary, which has already decided to continue its sponsorship next year. Local radio, TV and press devoted extensive coverage to the event, offering an unparalleled opportunity to showcase our brand to a large audience over the year and to enhance our profile as a dynamic local business playing its full part in island life. An average audience of 30,000 followed the competition every day, not only in Martinique but also in France, which has a large West Indian population.