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Company is One of Only Seven U.S. Companies Added to DJSI World in
2009
HARTSVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 21, 2009--
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) announced that it has been selected to join the Dow
Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), effective today. DJSI
World comprises the leading global companies in terms of economic
performance, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
“We are very pleased to join this elite group of DJSI World companies as
it recognizes the importance Sonoco places on being a leader in
sustainable packaging and recycling services,” said Harris E. DeLoach,
Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer, adding that only
three global packaging companies are members of the index. “For eleven
decades, Sonoco has been pursing the ‘triple bottom line’ of
sustainability. By balancing and integrating environmental stewardship,
social responsibility and economic performance within our business
strategy and culture, Sonoco is becoming more competitive and better
prepared to meet the challenges of a changing global economy.”
Only seven companies from the United States were added to DJSI World in
2009 including Sonoco, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive,
Genzyme, Pacific Gas & Electric and El Paso Corporation. Of
approximately 2,500 companies that were invited to participate in the
program, only about 10 percent were selected for DJSI World inclusion.
DeLoach pointed out that Sonoco’s addition to DJSI World was a result of
substantial improvement in its ranking in a number of environmental
stewardship and social responsibility factors. “Overall, the Company’s
2009 score improved 17 percent from 2008 which reinforces the progress
we're making in all of our global operations. In addition, the Company
received best-in-class marks in our industry for advancements in closed
loop business models, corporate citizenship/philanthropy and labor
practice indicators.”
In addition to its inclusion in DJSI World, Sonoco was recognized by Corporate
Responsibility Officer magazine as one of the 100 Best Corporate
Citizens in 2009. The Company has achieved certifications for
responsible and sustainable forestry management practices by the
Sustainable Forestry Initiative as well as “chain-of-custody”
certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council and Program for the
Endorsement of Forest Certification for responsible fiber-sourcing
practices at its U.S. and Canada recycled paperboard mills.
Launched in September 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the
first global indexes to track the financial performance of leading
sustainability-driven companies worldwide. The indexes provide asset
managers with reliable and objective benchmarks to manage their
sustainability portfolios. Inclusion of companies in the indexes is
based on SAM’s comprehensive sustainability assessment. SAM annually
analyzes more than 1,000 exchange-listed companies, using proprietary
tools based on economic, environmental and social criteria. For more on
the results, see www.sustainability-indexes.com.
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 35 countries, serving customers in some 85
nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World
Index. For more information on the Company, visit our Web site at www.sonoco.com.
Source: Sonoco
Sonoco
Roger Schrum, +843-339-6018
roger.schrum@sonoco.com