May 31 2005
Alcan Inc. is pleased to announce today that it has been awarded the 2005 Globe Award for Corporate Competitiveness by the GLOBE Foundation. The Company was recognized for its proven record of integrating sustainability principles in its approach to business thereby contributing to its economic competitiveness, environmental leadership and community involvement.
"I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of Alcan and its employees, who give their best each and every day in our shared commitment to be successful and ensure that sustainability is part of our everyday decisions," said Daniel Gagnier, Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs for Alcan. "It is our firm belief that by working in collaboration with our stakeholders, Alcan increases its understanding of the economic, environmental and social dimensions of its business decisions. We are better able to develop strategies that create value for all those affected by Alcan's choices."
Alcan is translating its sustainability commitments into concrete actions and applications through Alcan's Integrated Management System (AIMS) and its three key components: value-based management, EHS FIRST and Continuous Improvement. AIMS links these initiatives and reinforces the focus of managing for value for the entire Company. In addition, sustainability is an integral part of managing for value - it's a fundamental way of thinking about Alcan's role in the world and it helps to guide Alcan's decision-making throughout its operations. This approach has a direct link to Alcan's economic and commercial success.
For example, the Company launched its annual US$1 million Alcan Prize for Sustainability in 2003, to recognize the contributions of the not-for-profit sector to global sustainability, and to underline the belief that all sectors of society must work together to achieve sustainable development.
Speaking at the awards ceremony at the EECO 2005 Environment and Energy Conference in Toronto, Canada, John Wiebe, President and Chief Executive Officer of the GLOBE Foundation, said, "This award recognizes Alcan's vision, leadership, and track record in demonstrating that environmental leadership, social responsibility and economic performance are interdependent for business success. Alcan continues to raise the bar for industry, while demonstrating that sustainability makes good business sense."
Located in Vancouver, Canada, the GLOBE Foundation is a private, not-for-profit foundation created to help environmental firms, corporate environmental managers, and financial institutions capitalize on international opportunities in the business of the environment. With a vision to drive environmental business to new heights, GLOBE has taken on a diverse range of projects since it was established in 1992.
Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging, as well as aluminum recycling. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions.
http://www.alcan.com/