GLOBAL DIRECTORY HOME PRODUCTS & BRANDS COMPANY NEWS CAREERS CONTACT US CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT Code of Business Conduct Policy Company > Sustainability > Code of Business Conduct > Code of Business Conduct Policy New Werner Holding Co., Inc., together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, WernerCo, and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company”) has adopted various policies and procedures designed to apply high ethical, moral and legal principles in every aspect of its business conduct. This Code of Business Conduct (the "Code") is adopted as a guide for each of the Company's associates, officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors (each a “Covered Party” and collectively, “Covered Parties”) to follow in meeting these principles. The Company shall make this Code available to interested parties. This Code sets out basic principles to guide Covered Parties in the course of performing their duties and responsibilities to the Company and outlines certain key legal requirements of which all Covered Parties must comply. This Code is designed to deter wrongdoing and promote the following: Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company provides to its investors, lenders and other interested parties, and in other public communications made by the Company; compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; prompt internal reporting to an appropriate person or persons identified herein of violations of this Code; and accountability for adherence to this Code. If a Covered Party is concerned about a possible ethical or illegal situation or any violation of this Code or is not sure whether specific conduct meets applicable Company policies or standards, he or she should discuss the situation with the Company's general counsel. Covered Parties who are executive officers or members of the Company's board of directors (the "Board") may also discuss the situation with the Audit Committee. In addition, the Company has implemented an independent, anonymous reporting hotline (the “Hotline”) to assist Covered Parties in reporting violations of this Code or other suspected wrongdoing. Any Covered Party who violates the standards contained in this Code shall be subject to disciplinary action. The Company shall treat as confidential to the extent possible all information received from a Covered Party with respect to a possible ethical or illegal situation and shall not take any retributive or retaliatory action against any Covered Party who discloses such information in good faith. 1. Conflicts of Interest A "conflict of interest" exists when a Covered Party's private interest interferes in any way or appears to interfere in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise when a Covered Party acts or has interests that may make it difficult for him or her to objectively and effectively perform his or her work for the Company. Conflicts of interest also can arise when a Covered Party, or members of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits because of his or her position in the Company, including without limitation loans or guarantees of obligations. Transactions or relationships that constitute conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, unless specifically approved by the Board or an appropriate committee of the Board. Conflicts of interest may not always be apparent, so if a Covered Party has a question regarding whether a particular situation is a conflict of interest, he or she should consult with the Company's general counsel. Covered Parties who are executive officers or members of the Board may also consult with the Audit Committee. A Covered Party must bring any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest to the attention of the Company's general counsel or the Audit Committee. Unless approved by the Board or an appropriate committee of the Board, no Covered Party or any member of his or her immediate family can acquire a financial interest in, or accept employment with, any entity doing business with the Company if the interest or employment could conflict with his or her duties to the Company and the performance of such duties. It is usually a conflict of interest for a Covered Party to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier of the Company. A Covered Party cannot work for a competitor as an employee, consultant or board member. A Covered Party and his or her immediate family members cannot accept material gifts or favors that could create the appearance that such Covered Party's business judgment could be affected by the receipt of such gifts or favors. A Covered Party and members of his or her immediate family can accept gifts of nominal value from existing sources, prospective sources or persons and firms or companies with whom the Company does or might do business. The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create good will and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. Covered Parties cannot offer gifts or favors to any employee of a Company competitor, supplier or customer, or a member of such employee's immediate family, if the gifts or favors might place the recipient under any obligation to a Covered Party or to the Company. 2. Corporate Opportunities A Covered Party cannot personally take for himself or herself opportunities discovered using Company property, information or position. A Covered Party cannot use Company property, information, or position for personal gain, and cannot compete with the Company directly or indirectly. It is the duty and responsibility of each Covered Party to advance the Company's legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. 3. Confidentiality A Covered Party must maintain the confidentiality of all confidential and non-public information entrusted to him or her by the Company and its customers and suppliers in accordance with applicable Company policies. Confidential information includes all information that, if disclosed, might be of use to competitors of the Company, or harmful to the Company or its customers or suppliers. It also includes information that Company customers and suppliers have entrusted to the Company. For example, confidential information includes financial documents, pricing or vendor information, corporate development materials, new product information, manufacturing methods, trade secrets, business and marketing plans, the cost of goods, personnel files, computer software, design drawings, internal reports or memoranda. Information that the Company has made public, such as press releases or advertisements, is not confidential information. The obligation to preserve confidential information extends beyond the term of employment with, or service to, the Company. 4. Fair Dealing The Company seeks to outperform its competition fairly and honestly through superior performance and not through unethical or illegal business practices. Covered Parties must endeavor to deal fairly with their colleagues and Company customers, suppliers and competitors. Covered Parties cannot steal proprietary information, possess trade secret information obtained without the owner's consent or induce such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies. No Covered Party may take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of confidential information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice. 5. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets Covered Parties must endeavor to protect the Company's assets and property and ensure their responsible and efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company's profitability. Covered Parties must report any suspected incident of fraud or theft immediately for investigation to either the Hotline or the Company's general counsel. Covered Parties who are executive officers or members of the Board may also report such fraud or theft to the Audit Committee. Covered Parties must use all assets and property of the Company in accordance with Company policies. 6. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations All Covered Parties must respect and obey the laws, rules and regulations of the local communities, cities, states and countries in which the Company operates. In addition, the Company has adopted various policies, procedures and programs to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements which shall be followed by all Covered Parties. Covered Parties must contact the Company's general counsel with any questions as to the applicability of any law, rule or regulation or the appropriate manner of compliance therewith. 7. Discrimination and Harassment The Company requires strict adherence to its policies and applicable laws regarding equal employment opportunities and discrimination in the workplace. The Company shall not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment of any kind. Relationships with colleagues and business relationships with competitors, suppliers and customers always must be conducted free of any discrimination, including based on race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual preference, national origin, marital status, veteran status, handicap or disability. 8. Record-Keeping The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. All of the Company's books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company's transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company's system of internal controls. Unrecorded or "off the books" funds or assets cannot be maintained unless permitted by applicable laws or regulations. All Covered Parties are subject to the Company's Records Management Policy. Any questions concerning the Company's Records Management Policy should be directed to the Company's general counsel. 9. Waivers of or Amendments to the Code of Business Conduct Any waiver of or amendments to this Code applicable to any Covered Party requires the approval of the Board and must be disclosed promptly as required by applicable law, rules or regulations. Dated: December 1, 2008 PRODUCTS & BRANDS Products Overview Brands Overview COMPANY Global Structure Local Country Commitment Sustainability Code of Business Conduct Legal Notices Ethics/Compliance Hotline NEWS Press Releases Image Library CONTACT US Media Contacts Contact Us Form © 2021 WernerCo. All Rights Reserved.