As part of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies Gala Dinner, Milliken joined with other worldwide award honorees to celebrate the importance of ethical leadership in today’s business environment. Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, recognized 135 companies, including 12 esteemed organizations who have received the honor each year since the award’s inception. Milliken is excited to be one of those 12 companies.
PepsiCo, a fellow 12-year honoree shared their ethical insights in a keynote presentation given by their Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi. In her comments, Nooyi emphasized the idea that an ethical mindset does not stop at one specific activity or individual; rather it should permeate every facet of the company. Having the corporate courage to take a long-term view and shape a culture of ethics requires rigorous day-to-day practices of an organization. As a result, we had the opportunity to reflect on what ethical business means to us and four ways that it manifests itself in our work.
Safety
In recognizing a trustworthy organization, transparent safety practices are among key indicators. As the first-ever company named to EHS Today’s America’s Safest Companies Hall of Fame, Milliken values environmental, health and safety leadership, and works to prioritize these principles for the benefit of our associates.
Sustainability
We have a responsibility to uphold sustainable practices as an environmentally conscious manufacturer, as well as a responsibility to explore the latest sustainable opportunities within the industries we are a part of. Each year, our floor covering division delivers an Annual Sustainability Report - addressing topics like resource reduction and transparent materials selection. In 2017, Milliken also spearheaded a LEED v4 pilot credit to optimize supplier chemistry in the floor covering industry.
Associate and community empowerment
A principled mindset permeates throughout our company and our divisions, and as a result, throughout the communities where we call home. Two Milliken initiatives - Milliken Honors and Milliken Gives - recognize those who are inspiring integrity through their leadership. Milliken Honors highlights associates who are uniquely contributing to the Milliken spirit, through avenues such as safety, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, citizenship, and ethics, among others. Through Milliken Gives, associates are encouraged to take ownership of Milliken’s community impact legacy within their respective communities in ways most meaningful to them.
Product Development
From eco-elegant textiles that are responsibly designed and manufactured using natural or recycled fibers to flame resistant fabrics that protects workers without detracting from their ability to perform their jobs, we look to enhance our world with solutions created as part of an extensive, collaborative research and development process. By drawing on the latest technologies, cross-industry learnings, and our legacy of chemical and textile manufacturing expertise, we bring new ways to connect people to their environments and to products they love and value each day.
At Milliken, we look to infuse the values of integrity and transparency into everything we do - from developing meaningful and mindful innovations to championing associate safety in the workplace and making a difference in our communities. In committing to these values day in and day out, we look to further grow our reputation as a values-based organization for the benefit of our associates, consumers and communities.
