It never gets old to SCA to win an award as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. The company, with branches in Flagstaff and Bellemont, has been selected for the honor for the sixth consecutive year.
“We get a beautiful glass trophy to display,” said Amy Bellcourt, vice president of communications for SCA.
Locally, SCA makes hygiene and paper products used by consumers away from home such as napkins at fast food restaurants, schools and colleges or arenas.
The plant in Flagstaff makes the paper and the plant in Bellemont turns it into products. Between the two plants, 250 people are employed.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a valuable corporate partner in SCA,” said Julie Pastrick, president and CEO of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. “They are a large global corporation that had many choices about where to locate and choosing Flagstaff as their western distribution center says a lot about the company and our community.”
She said SCA provides many jobs, which helps support individuals and families in the area.
Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think tank, highlights organizations that show leadership in promoting ethical business standards, Bellcourt said.
The companies chosen as winners undergo in-depth research and a multi-step analysis. Ethisphere reviewed nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The methodology for the World’s Most Ethical Companies includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.
SCA was chosen from thousands of companies it deems ethical. Only about 40 companies are chosen for the honor. The winners are chosen on several points such as whether the company is using fair labor acts for its employees.
“Do you have a code of conduct for employees and suppliers?” said Bellcourt.“ Also they consider how you are doing with sustainability issues, how well they are demonstrated throughout the company and how well they are being demonstrated outside the company and what are you doing to improve.”
In the same week SCA was notified of the Ethisphere recognition, the company was told it was included as Fortune’s most admired company. That honor has come for the fourth consecutive year.
“It’s a broader look at the company’s overall success, done by people outside your company saying it is a good example of a good company,” said Bellcourt.
SCA has been around for 80 years and is based in Sweden.
“It started as a forest company, but when you are working in the forest, you have to see things from a long term perspective. You plant a tree today knowing it will not be cut down for 80 years.”
She said it is remarkable to consider that people who plant the trees today will probably not be alive when they are ready for harvest.
“It’s really in the company’s DNA,” she said. FBN
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