As we take action today to create the world we want tomorrow, the world is taking notice! For the second year in a row, The Ethisphere® Institute has named us to their list of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
This year, Ethisphere® recognized 128 honorees, spanning 21 countries and 50 industries. They praised each of us for our efforts to improve communities, build capable and empowered workforces and promote a culture focused on ethics. We’ve been recognized in the Food Processing and Distribution category for promoting a strong business place culture, authentic leadership, and a commitment to transparency, diversity and inclusion.
“Today, employees, investors and stakeholders are putting their greatest trust in companies to take leadership on societal issues. Companies that take the long view with a purpose-based strategy are proven to not only outperform but last,” said Ethisphere Chief Executive Officer Timothy Erblich. “I congratulate everyone at Mars for earning this recognition.”
At the heart of our recognition are The Five Principles, ideals we’ve outlined to help us grow our business in ways that are good for people and the planet. Meanwhile, our Sustainable in a Generation Plan, launched in 2017, outlines our plans to make the world better for the next generation. Through the Healthy Planet pillar, we’re working to reduce our environmental impact in a number of ways, including the elimination of problematic plastics and our goal of 100 percent recyclability by 2025. We want to make it as easy as possible for our products to be a part of a healthy lifestyle by Nourishing Wellbeing. One initiative aims to make nearly all Confectionery products fewer than 250 calories per portion. Finally, we’re committed to helping others through our Thriving People pillar. With initiatives like Women of Mars, where we’re unlocking opportunities for women while highlighting our diversity and furthering our commitment to inclusivity.
“Mars is honored once again to be named to Ethisphere Institute’s ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ list,” said Mars Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Stefanie Straub. “From the ambitious goals of our Sustainable in a Generation Plan to the culture of ethics lived by our 130,000+ Associates, we hold ourselves to a high standard — to take clear actions right now to create a better tomorrow.”
The Ethisphere Institute generates scores for the national award in five key categories: ethics and compliance programs (35 percent); corporate citizenship and responsibility (20 percent); culture of ethics (20 percent); governance (15 percent); and leadership, innovation and reputation (10 percent). Like all companies that participate in the assessment process, we’ll receive a detailed accounting of our scores, providing us valuable insight into how we stack up against leading organizations.
Ethisphere — the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, which sponsors the annual award — will release best practices and insights from the 2019 honorees in a report and webcast later this spring.
Thank you and congratulations to our Associates! We know awards like come our way because of the important work they do every day, continuing to raise the bar for doing well by doing good.
