Milliken has been recognised as a World’s Most Ethical Company for 11 years, every year since the award was first given in 2007 – a consecutive distinction given to only 13 companies. This year, it is one of only 20 privately-owned companies receiving the honour. According to the manufacturer, the decade-long distinction underscores Milliken’s commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices.

“How Milliken grows is equally as important as how much we grow – this is an integral belief that each Milliken associate holds, and that directs their work daily. It is an honour to be annually recognized for this perspective on a successful, values-based business,” commented J. Harold Chandler, Milliken & Company President, CEO and Chairman.

Corporate citizenship and responsibility

The World's Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient (EQ) framework. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance programme, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance and leadership, innovation and reputation.

The 150-year-old company has developed a long-standing reputation of engaged corporate citizenship throughout its headquarter community of Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a combined associate and company foundation donation of more than $500,000 to local non-profits in 2016 alone.

As environmental stewards, Milliken diverts waste from landfill, utilises renewable energy and maintains a 600-acre corporate arboretum, where it hosts numerous community events. Milliken locations around the world also engage in their local communities through philanthropic activities and career opportunities for associates and their families.

Shift in societal expectations

The year 2017 is the eleventh year that Ethisphere has honoured those companies who recognise their role in society to influence and drive positive change, consider the impact of their actions on their employees, investors, customers and other key stakeholders and use their values and culture as an underpinning to the decisions they make every day.

“Over the last eleven years we have seen the shift in societal expectations, constant redefinition of laws and regulations and the geo-political climate. We have also seen how companies, such as Milliken, honoured as the World’s Most Ethical respond consistently to these challenges,” explained Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich.

“They invest in their local communities around the world, embrace strategies of diversity and inclusion, and focus on long term-ism as a sustainable business advantage. Congratulations to everyone at Milliken for being recognised as a World's Most Ethical Company for more than a decade.”

www.milliken.com