HARTSVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonoco (NYSE: SON) announced that it has been selected to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the third consecutive year. DJSI World is comprised of the leading global companies in terms of economic performance, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are determined following an annual review by SAM, an investment boutique focused exclusively on sustainability investing, along with Dow Jones Indexes.
“We are very pleased to make this elite group of DJSI World companies for the third year in a row. It recognizes the importance Sonoco places on being a leader in sustainable packaging and provider of recycling services to many of the largest consumer brands in the world,” said Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., Sonoco’s chairman and chief executive officer.
Each year SAM invites approximately 2,500 of the world’s largest companies from 57 industry sectors to report their sustainability performance. Each company completes a Corporate Sustainability Assessment, which provides an in-depth analysis of economic, environmental and social criteria, such as corporate governance, water-related risks and stakeholder relations, with a special focus on industry-specific risks and opportunities. This year’s DJSI World Index includes 41 new companies, while 23 firms will be deleted, resulting in a total of 342 index components. All changes will become effective with the opening of equity markets on September 19, 2011. For more on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, see www.dkindexes.com or www.sam-group.com.
In being selected to the DJSI World Index for 2011/2012, DeLoach pointed out that Sonoco’s overall score was 38 percent higher than its comparative industry group’s average score. “For the fourth consecutive year we improved our overall score, which reinforces the progress we're making in our global operations. In addition, the Company received top scores in our industry sector for advancements in customer relationship management, risk and crisis management, climate strategy, environmental policy/management system, operational eco-efficiency, product stewardship, human capital development, labor practices and corporate citizenship and philanthropy.”
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $4.1 billion global manufacturer of consumer and industrial products and provider of packaging services, with about 300 operations in 34 countries, serving customers in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2011/2012 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.