Tag: 3BL

When considering outsourcing your human resources (HR) and payroll functions for your growing business or organization, there are several key factors you should evaluate to ensure you make the best decision for your company. Here are the top seven factors to consider:

1. Provider type evaluation

When evaluating the types of providers, it’s essential to understand the differences between professional employer organizations (PEOs) and traditional HR consulting firms. PEOs offer comprehensive benefit plans and take on responsibilities like payroll, taxes and compliance. However, they also involve co-employment, meaning that the PEO jointly employs your staff. On the other hand, traditional HR consulting firms, like Baker Tilly Vantagen, provide similar HR and payroll services without co-employing any of your workers. This means that you retain all ownership of your employees with the added benefits of trusted advisors and outsourced HR and payroll services.

2. Technology provided

The technology offered by a provider can significantly impact the efficiency of your HR functions. Evaluate the technology offered by the outsourced service and determine which outsourced tasks might best align with the vendor’s service level agreements (SLAs). Ideally, the providers offer the necessary tools to streamline and automate your systems and manage your HR and payroll functions efficiently.

3. Depth of knowledge and experience

An outsourced service provider can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to your organization at a fraction of the cost of maintaining an in-house team. They can act as a neutral party when resolving employee-related conflicts and issues, provide specialized knowledge in HR and payroll, and ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations.

4. Risk mitigation and data management

Outsourcing HR can help mitigate risks by developing a comprehensive risk management plan and protecting employee data. With a dedicated team, there is always someone available to step in when needed, ensuring continuity and compliance. Providers often have specialized skills and tools to manage risks associated with managing and retaining your workforce, as well as hiring and training new talent.

5. Communication and reporting

Effective communication is essential to the success of any plan. Communication and reporting are pivotal in maintaining a healthy work environment for everyone involved. Assess how the outsourced service provider handles communication and reporting. Regular reporting, transparent communication with employees and the ability to collect unbiased feedback are crucial for maintaining a healthy work environment.

6. Customization and scalability

Ensure that the outsourced HR and payroll services are customizable to your company’s needs and can scale as your business grows. Tailored services allow you to define the scope of services needed and maintain control over changes being made at your company. Ensure that the provider has flexible options to accommodate different payroll schedules and integrates with other HR systems to ensure a smooth transition.

7. Time and cost reduction

Outsourcing HR and payroll services can often be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house HR and/or payroll department. It reduces overhead costs associated with salaries, benefits, office space and technology, allowing you to allocate resources more strategically toward core business functions and growth initiatives. By leveraging the services of an outsourced HR and payroll provider, businesses can remain compliant and keep their HR and payroll departments running smoothly, while focusing on their strategic goals.

Outsourcing or co-sourcing your HR and payroll functions can provide numerous benefits, including cost savings, access to specialized knowledge and improved risk management. By carefully evaluating the provider options at your disposal, companies can enhance their HR operations while focusing on core business activities. Effective risk management, data management and clear communication and reporting are essential to maintaining a healthy work environment. Providers that offer customizable and scalable solutions ensure that the services can grow with the business or organization. Ultimately, outsourced HR and payroll services provide significant benefits to growth, enabling the business to thrive in a competitive landscape.

If you’re considering outsourcing your HR and payroll services, connect with an experienced Baker Tilly Vantagen practitioner to learn more about how our services can be tailored to your company’s needs.

AUSTIN, Texas, March 12, 2025 /3BL/ – Whole Foods Market Foundation, in partnership with the Kasperick Foundation, is excited to approve $230,000 in funding across five projects that promote and broaden access to innovative savings mechanisms through their High Impact Program. Since 2013, Whole Planet, a pillar of Whole Foods Market Foundation, has authorized $1.75M, with the goal of improving their ability to meet their clients’ needs and provide new, more or better products and services.

For entrepreneurs and farmers living on around $4 a day, there are often a variety of barriers that prevent them from accessing the capital they need to launch and sustain their businesses. Low-income populations tend to have difficulty meeting the requirements of collateral or consistent income, leaving billions of people without access to basic financial services. Ventures like peer-to-peer lending and village savings and loan associations are innovative solutions that address a critical gap in financial inclusion while creating sustainable pathways out of poverty to build financial resilience. Congratulations to the 2024 Whole Planet High Impact Program recipients: CAURIE in Senegal, FUNDER in Honduras, SOS Amazonia in Brazil, Swahili Honey in Tanzania, and YIKRI in Burkina Faso.

CAURIE

CAURIE Microfinance was established in 1999 by Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Senegal and became an independent microfinance institution in 2005. CAURIE Senegal primarily serves rural, low-income clients, the majority of whom are women, through a village banking model. In this model, CAURIE trains rural women’s groups to mobilize their own savings, which are then used to provide small, monthly internal loans.

Today, CAURIE continues to expand its reach, offering a growing range of financial services and products to rural microentrepreneurs, with a strong focus on empowering women. Through the support of the High Impact Program award, CAURIE will enhance its current strategy by making savings and loan products more accessible. This includes on-site savings collection at local markets and providing easy access to small loans, ensuring that financial tools are readily available to their clients.

FUNDER

The Foundation for Rural Business Development (FUNDER) works to champion rural business development in Honduras through efficient and effective training, technical assistance and access to credit for rural savings banks, micro-enterprises, agribusiness and renewable energy initiatives.

Honduras is often subject to severe drought that impacts the availability of water and affects the production of staple crops like beans. FUNDER will use their High Impact Program award to strengthen the savings and food security of 540 families across 20 rural Village and Savings Banks by purchasing 60 metal silos for bean storage, allowing producers to store 108,000 pounds of beans. FUNDER will also use the High Impact Program award to purchase beans from farmers, creating a revolving and sustainable base to shield farmers from inflation and shortages.

SOS AMAZONIA

SOS Amazonia’s mission is to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the growth of environmental awareness in the Amazon. In addition to conservation, SOS Amazonia works to support sustainable farming practices through smallholder farming and in partnership with indigenous communities.

In Brazil, SOS Amazonia will use their High Impact Program award to build a cold storage seed bank, allowing the organization’s nursery to purchase 30%-50% more seeds from local collectors. This seed bank will also allow collectors to store excess seeds while they look for buyers, thus reducing the risk of the seeds losing quality. In addition, the organization will use their award to train collectors in financial literacy, empowering local collectors with the knowledge they need to save money, maximize their resources, and avoid exploitation.

SWAHILI HONEY

In Tanzania, Swahili Honey supports smallholder beekeepers with training, fair pricing, and market access. Over 2,500 Tanzanian beekeepers have benefited from their services, ensuring high-quality honey production and sustainable practices.

Their Beekeeping Savings Groups project, funded by Whole Planet’s High Impact Program, aims to establish 20 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) within beekeeping communities, primarily targeting women and youth. These savings groups will empower members to pool resources, offer internal microloans and promote financial resilience. The initiative will also provide financial literacy and bookkeeping tools to ensure transparency. By facilitating easy access to funds, beekeepers will be able to maintain loaned beehives and expand their hives, thereby improving productivity and income while reducing dependence on external credit.

YIKRI

Launched by Entrepreneurs du Monde in 2014, YIKRI offers social microfinance to the most vulnerable entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso, focusing on the peri-urban areas of the country where the population is rapidly growing.

Their project aims to encourage YIKRI clients’ savings culture by collecting savings during YIKRI regular group meetings and introducing a deposits remuneration scheme to their savings products. This project will also serve internally displaced persons who have relocated to new regions due to ongoing political unrest in Burkina Faso.

For more information, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org

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About Whole Foods Market Foundation

Whole Foods Market Foundation works to nourish people and the planet by providing access to essential resources to improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas, encompasses the pillars of Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet. For more information on the Foundation’s work, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Nikki Newman-Sobhani 
Nikki.Newman@wholefoods.com

Recognition honors organizations committed to best-in-class ethics, compliance and governance programs and is based on robust analysis. 

CLEVELAND, March 12, 2025 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton (NYSE:ETN) has again received the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. 

Grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, the annual assessment requires companies to provide 240+ proof points on practices supporting ethics and compliance, governance, culture, environmental and social impact and initiatives supporting a strong value chain. The data undergoes further qualitative analysis by Ethisphere’s panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each applicant. In 2025, 136 honorees were recognized across 19 countries and 44 industries. Eaton was among 12 honorees in the industrial manufacturing industry.

“We are honored to be recognized once again as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. This is not something we take for granted; it is something we strive to earn each year,” said Joe Rodgers, senior vice president, Global Ethics and Compliance at Eaton. “We believe in the power of integrity, and I am grateful to Eaton’s employees worldwide who embody our core values every day.”

Over the years, Rodgers has shared his perspective on building an ethical culture with Ethisphere Magazine, specifically how Storytelling is Your Ethics Superpower and How Leaders at Eaton Owns Ethics. 

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:
Drew Horansky
+1 (440) 523-4306
DrewAHoransky@Eaton.com 

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 11, 2025 /3BL/ – FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) has received the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

FedEx is being recognized for the third consecutive year and is the only honoree in the Transportation/Trucking/Railroad industry. In 2025, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 19 countries and 44 industries.

“This is a great honor for FedEx, and we are pleased to be among this select group of companies with exceptional compliance programs and commitments to advancing business integrity for the third year in a row,” said Peter Blumberg, chief compliance officer of FedEx Corporation. “Our FedEx team members around the globe have done an incredible job building and maintaining our strong culture of compliance and ethics, and we are truly appreciative of this esteemed — and hard-earned — recognition.” 

“Congratulations to FedEx for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s chief strategy officer and executive chair. “Behind this honor is a true dedication and a commitment to advancing business integrity. This approach is good for business – employees and other stakeholders value companies that prioritize the kinds of practices we measure with our process.”

Ethics & Performance: The Ethics Premium
The listed 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® Honorees outperformed a comparable index of global companies by 7.8 percentage points from January 2020 to January 2025.

Methodology & Scoring
The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, which requires companies to provide 240+ different proof points on practices that support robust ethics and compliance; governance; a culture of ethics; environmental and social impact; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.

Honorees
To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. With annual revenue of $87 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions utilizing its flexible, efficient, and intelligent global network. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

About Ethisphere
Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, and deliver business success. Companies turn ethics, compliance, and culture into a business advantage by leveraging Ethisphere’s data-driven program and culture assessments featuring the latest guidance and the practices of hundreds of global organizations across the 8 pillars of an ethical culture, and 240+ ethics, compliance, social, and governance data points delivered through a proprietary software platform. Ethisphere also honors superior integrity programs through World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition, brings together a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and advances ethical business practices through the Global Ethics Summit, Ethisphere Magazine and the Ethicast podcast. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Originally posted by Action Against Hunger.

By: Diana Tumuhairwe

Ernest Bikorimana Desire fled his home in Burundi due to civil unrest, trekking miles on foot across the Tanzania border. Arriving in Uganda in 2017, he was only able to afford to eat one meal a day. After hopping from one refugee settlement to another, he eventually set down roots. Life wasn’t easy, but Ernest had hope. The now 29-year-old and his children – four-year-old Mukunzi and two-year-old Asiimwe – moved to the bustling Kabazana Trading Center in the Nakivale Refugee settlement. Even though the center is typically crowded and lively, business is often slow and unpredictable.

Instead of diving headfirst into the trading industry like many of his neighbors, Ernest decided to take up farming. It is his passion, but it is also how he survives. “Farming gives me peace,” he said, adding, “I used to trade corn and beans, but that requires a lot of money, which I lacked as a newly resettled refugee.”

Initially, Ernest was only growing food to consume. To supplement his income, he worked for host communities and picked up any jobs he could. Once he earned enough money, he was finally able to launch his own business. Still, he regularly went to bed without dinner. 
“I often struggled with hunger,” he said. “I was recently married and barely made enough money to feed my family.”

In 2023, Ernest decided that he needed to try something new. His livelihood was unsustainable, and he struggled to make ends meet. One day, he joined Action Against Hunger’s group farming initiative in the nearby village of Rwoma.

Before long, Ernest was introduced to block farming. With this initiative, farmers learn a special strategy called the Optimized Land Use Model, or OLUM. OLUM is an innovative farming method that helps communities adapt to climate change and grow nutrient-rich crops by integrating climate-smart techniques. Plus, farmers like Ernest are taught how to maximize land and grow as many crops in as small of a space has possible.

Through the block farming initiative, smallholder farmers are brought together to rent land, build skills, negotiate fair prices, and create demand for nutritious crops. Together, Ernest and other local farmers were able to build a community.

“Before, I used to rent land at $32 per year,” he said. “But at the block farm, there is free land and water, so I can farm freely without worrying about high costs. I can also farm on any acreage I want, as long as I demonstrate growth and capability.”

Through the initiative, Ernest began to grow high-value crops like tomatoes and onions. Despite initial challenges, Ernest persevered.

“Onions are resource-intensive, they require significant water and financial inputs for farming,” he said.

Still, Ernest dedicated countless hours to tending his crops, often spending nights at the farm to guard them. His hard work paid off – eventually, he cultivated a huge harvest.

In July 2024, Ernest harvested over 6,600 pounds of onions, earning $1,350. He even grew nearly 2,500 pounds of tomatoes, earning over $3,250. As he continued to expand his garden, he increased his savings, and in December, Ernest earned over $4,500 from onions alone.

Ernest says that the initiative transformed his life. The farming paid off for Ernest, but the initiative meant so much more than just a steady income. Today, growing tomatoes and onions gives Ernest a sense of purpose and hope.

Since joining Action Against Hunger’s initiative, Ernest has been able to move to a busier area where he can run his business more easily. Thanks to his new savings, he purchased a motorcycle taxi called a “boda boda”. As a driver, he earns about $14 per week. The bike also transports him to his garden, since he lives fairly far from the block farm. Now, he can get to his crops quickly and easily. Ernest also started a general merchandise shop in the Kabanzana Trading Center, and his wife manages the store. He is even able to rent a shop to store his onion harvest. His next goal is to purchase a tuk-tuk, a small motorized vehicle, to transport his goods and produce.

As Ernest continues to grow his business, his biggest commitment remains to his family. His four-year-old son, Mukunzi, suffers from a severe eye condition. It is still undiagnosed, but the child struggles to see and his eyes are often bloodshot. Once he earns enough money, he plans to seek specialized medical attention in Mbarara and ensure his son receives the necessary treatment.

One day, Ernest dreams of buying a house big enough for his whole family. In the meantime, Ernest continues to expand his garden. Recently, he’s expanded his tomato section to 1.7 acres.

“I know that the market for tomatoes is not always easy; they are perishable, and I don’t have the means to transport them to bigger markets,” he said. Still, he is eager to keep trying, and Ernest never gives up.

“I’m still struggling to build a customer base,” he said. “However, people are slowly starting to remember me. When tomatoes are scarce, they look for me and I sell to them.”

Ernest believes that refugees just like him can overcome even the biggest obstacles. Through farming, he says that families can build a sustainable future.

“Most refugees have no money, but they have energy,” he said. “I think they should start farming so they can build a livelihood for years to come.”

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

CNH brands, Case IH and New Holland, are showcasing their lines of sustainable, technological solutions at the 25th edition of Expodireto Cotrijal.

The event – held this week (March 10 – March 14) in Não-Me-Toque, Brazil – includes Case IH’s  Axial-Flow Series 160 Automation harvester and the Farmall Max tractor. New Holland, together with its dealer network, are also presenting the T6.140 Electro Command tractor with an electronic engine.

Case IH – 160 Series

The major launch presented by Case IH for the first time at Expodireto Cotrijal is the Axial-Flow Series 160 Automation, a new series of medium-sized grain harvesters, which make up classes 5 to 7. The 160 Series has 60% of its machinery renewed, with emphasis on the Automation System and factory connectivity.

“We know the difficulties that the producer in Rio Grande do Sul has faced, but the fair is an opportunity for us to demonstrate how the technology of our machines helps producers to reduce costs at all stages of the production cycle.” Explains Denny Perez, Commercial Director of Case IH Brazil.

New Holland – T6.140 Electro CommandTM

One of the main products that New Holland will exhibit during Expodireto is the T6.140 Electro Command™, which has, in addition to the electronic engine, a new transmission and a cabin that allows comfort and space for the operator. Produced in Brazil, it was developed with the help of the brand’s customers, through research and field tests where the farmer’s opinions were used to define the best configurations that met their needs.

“Regardless of the size of the agricultural operation, New Holland has innovative solutions that are ideal for small, medium or large producers…that enable farmers to improve their productivity and reduce operating costs”, says Eduardo Kerbauy, New Holland’s vice president for Latin America.

Click here to read more about Case IH at Expodireto. 

Click here to read more about New Holland at Expodireto. 

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 11, 2025 /3BL/ – International Paper, a Memphis-based sustainable packaging solutions company, has received the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

International Paper has been recognized 19 times and is one of only two honorees in the Forestry, Packaging & Paper industry. In 2025, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 19 countries and 44 industries.

“At International Paper, Ethics is a company value that is central to our mission of making the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time,” said Andy Silvernail, Chairman and CEO, International Paper. “Being named one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies nineteen times is a testament to our team’s focus on creating a great place to work by doing the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons, all of the time.”

“Our success is rooted in responsible decision-making and actions,” said Joseph Saab, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, International Paper. “Our core value of Ethics helps to foster dignity, respect, openness and accountability, and our policies and processes reinforce these values.”

“Congratulations to International Paper for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. Behind this honor is a true dedication and a commitment to advancing business integrity. This approach is good for business – employees and other stakeholders value companies that prioritize the kinds of practices we measure with our process,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair.

Ethics & Performance: The Ethics Premium 
The listed 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® Honorees outperformed a comparable index of global companies by 7.8 percentage points from January 2020 to January 2025.

Methodology & Scoring 
The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, which requires companies to provide 240+ different proof points on practices that support robust ethics and compliance; governance; a culture of ethics; environmental and social impact; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.

Honorees 
To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

About International Paper 
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting www.internationalpaper.com.

About Ethisphere 
Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, and deliver business success. Companies turn ethics, compliance, and culture into a business advantage by leveraging Ethisphere’s data-driven program and culture assessments featuring the latest guidance and the practices of hundreds of global organizations across the 8 pillars of an ethical culture, and 240+ ethics, compliance, social, and governance data points delivered through a proprietary software platform. Ethisphere also honors superior integrity programs through World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition, brings together a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and advances ethical business practices through the Global Ethics Summit, Ethisphere Magazine and the Ethicast podcast. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ethisphere-names-international-paper-as-one-of-the-2025-worlds-most-ethical-companies-for-the-19th-time-302397544.html

SOURCE International Paper

March 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced it has received the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Medtronic has been recognized three times and is one of only three honorees in the ‘Healthcare Products’ industry. In 2025, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 19 countries and 44 industries.

“This recognition is a true testament to the incredible work of our 95,000+ employees around the world, and I want to sincerely thank each of them for making this possible,” said Geoff Martha, Medtronic chairman and CEO. “Integrity has been at the core of our Mission since our founding more than 75 years ago. Guided by a patient-first mentality, our teams consistently prioritize quality, reliability, safety, and ethics as we develop innovative solutions to address some of the world’s most challenging health conditions for millions of people globally.”

“We continue to raise the bar for ourselves,” stated Tara Shewchuk, senior vice president and Medtronic chief ethics, compliance, and data privacy officer. “Our focus on responsible business practices helps us lead a world-class, risk-aligned ethics and compliance program, driving innovation and positively impacting each area of our value chain — especially patients.”

“Congratulations to Medtronic for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. Behind this honor is a true dedication and a commitment to advancing business integrity. This approach is good for business – employees and other stakeholders value companies that prioritize the kinds of practices we measure with our process,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s chief strategy officer and executive chair.

Ethics & Performance: The Ethics Premium 
The listed 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® Honorees outperformed a comparable index of global companies by 7.8 percentage points from January 2020 to January 2025.

Methodology & Scoring 
The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, which requires companies to provide 240+ different proof points on practices that support robust ethics and compliance; governance; a culture of ethics; environmental and social impact; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by a panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.

Honorees 
To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

About Medtronic 
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

About Ethisphere 
Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, and deliver business success. Companies turn ethics, compliance, and culture into a business advantage by leveraging Ethisphere’s data-driven program and culture assessments featuring the latest guidance and the practices of hundreds of global organizations across the 8 pillars of an ethical culture, and 240+ ethics, compliance, social, and governance data points delivered through a proprietary software platform. Ethisphere also honors superior integrity programs through World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition, brings together a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and advances ethical business practices through the Global Ethics Summit, Ethisphere Magazine and the Ethicast podcast. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

*World’s Most Ethical Companies is a trademark of Ethisphere or its affiliates.

Contacts:

Erika Winkels 
Public Relations 
+1-763-526-8478

Ryan Weispfenning 
Investor Relations 
+1-763-505-4626

Southwire, North America’s leading wire and cable company, has received the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

In 2025, Ethisphere recognized 136 companies spanning 19 countries and 44 industries. 2025 marks the second consecutive year that Southwire has been recognized. This year, Southwire is one of only four honorees in the electronics and components industry.

“It is an honor to be recognized once again by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “Receiving this recognition for two years in a row is a testament to the fact that doing right is not only one of our core tenets of sustainability but a true pillar of Southwire’s culture.”

The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, which requires companies to provide 240+ different proof points on practices that support robust ethics and compliance, governance, a culture of ethics, environmental and social impact and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by Ethisphere’s panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify best-in-class ethics and compliance
practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.

“Being named as one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® is an achievement and an honor we don’t take lightly,” said Burt Fealing, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer. “This recognition underscores Southwire’s unwavering dedication to ethical business practices. Our commitment to integrity is not an empty promise; it’s a guiding principle that informs the decisions we make in our work each and every day.”

“Congratulations to Southwire for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical
Companies®. Behind this honor is a true dedication and a commitment to advancing business integrity. This approach is good for business – employees and other stakeholders value companies that prioritize the kinds of practices we measure with our process,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair.

To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees. For questions about Southwire’s Ethics and Compliance program, visit https://www.southwire.com/sustainability/doing-right-connection.  For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom.   

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For more news and information from Southwire, visit southwire.com/newsroom.

© 2025 Southwire Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.  

Join me as I explore the innovative solutions and groundbreaking initiatives that are shaping the future of plastic recycling.

Plastic is an essential material. From the packaging that keeps our food fresh to technology that makes modern cars lighter to components that help make solar panels a more effective source of renewable energy, plastics are integral to realizing a sustainable future. They make consumer goods affordable, convenient, efficient, and even safer.

Considering all the benefits of this material, there’s also a challenge to address—plastic waste. The environmental impact of improperly discarded plastic is serious, and the world demands solutions. The United Nations and member countries are working on a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, with negotiations set to continue through 2025. This collaborative effort shows just how critical the issue is and how we can’t miss this opportunity to address it.

Solving the challenge isn’t simple. Plastic recycling rates today need to significantly increase, and there is no one solution or technology or organization that can tackle that alone. This is a powerful reminder of both the hurdles and opportunities ahead. This is the work I am involved with every day at Dow.

From our advanced R&D labs in Texas to cutting-edge AI-guided technologies, I’ve connected with some of the brightest minds dedicated to changing the future of plastics.

How do you recycle plastics?

At a global level, 9% of plastic is currently being recycled. To increase that amount, recovery technologies are helping to realize more value from discarded plastic. The most commonly used recycling method is called mechanical recycling. It is a process that turns plastic waste into new products without significantly altering the original molecular structure. This material can then be used in applications like trash bags, containers, and building materials.

Watch the film above or read along to join me as I explore the innovative solutions and groundbreaking initiatives that are shaping the future of plastic recycling.

Innovative recycling technologies and policy power the circular economy

As we work toward a circular economy, where materials like used plastics are continuously reused and repurposed, the integration of cutting-edge technology and supportive policy is essential. We want the recycling rate to increase. Consumers want that. Companies want that. It’s going to take infrastructure—it’s going to take policy—and it’s going to take some innovation.

Technological innovations driving circularity

A circular economy for plastics is being redefined by groundbreaking technologies. At our Pack Studios around the world, Dow experts are pioneering methods to incorporate recycled car parts, like bumpers, by developing innovative recycling solutions for the challenges posed by the many types of polymers used in vehicle manufacturing. This effort is crucial because our customers and the automotive sector are calling for increased post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in vehicles, pushing us to innovate continuously.

Consumer trends and global policy are driving this move toward improving the recyclability of complex products (like cars) and the increasing expectation for more PCR materials used in those products. Automotive brands and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are paying attention and responding to evolving regulatory policies around the world that would require them to include higher percentages of recycled materials in vehicles. Other consumer brands are moving to incorporate more recycled materials into product packaging. In all sectors, this effort requires innovation.

An exciting development at Dow is our joint development agreement with P&G, focusing on dissolution technology. This recycling method uses solvents to break down complex waste, transforming it into high-quality, food-grade applications. This technology is expected to increase the recyclability of traditionally hard-to-recycle plastic packaging and offer a PCR polymer with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint compared to virgin, fossil-based material. P&G aims to use this innovative, recycled plastic in their own packaging, continuing the circular life of this material.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the playbook for how waste is cleaned and sorted. It’s exciting to see that technology begin to be applied to AI-guided recycling analyzers, and it reinforces the point that every new breakthrough, including those yet to come, matter in this work.

What is advanced recycling?

Advanced recycling, sometimes referred to as chemical or feedstock recycling, is a process that breaks down waste to the molecular level so it can be converted to new raw materials. This approach to recycling plastics breaks those materials down into polymers, the molecular building blocks for plastics.

The critical role of policy in waste infrastructure

Policy is a key enabler in unlocking the value of waste and creating robust recycling infrastructure. Policy for improved infrastructure helps pull waste out of the environment and landfills and keep it out. In turn, technology like the examples I’ve mentioned helps more of that waste to be used in PCR material.

One of the biggest challenges is not the availability of waste, but its usability.

To address these gaps, we need better infrastructure that can keep valuable material out of the environment and landfills while enhancing its quality for recycling. Partnerships and collaborations across the value chain and public and private sectors are essential to scale these efforts and bring about meaningful change.

Legislative actions, like the European Union’s proposed measures for end of life of vehicles, are pivotal in promoting the recycling of automotive components and plastics overall. This proposal in particular aims to increase the use of recycled plastics in cars and grow recycling rates, reflecting a significant shift towards a circular economy.

Collaborating to drive the future of plastics recycling and circularity

There’s a lot more that we all can do to help scale the system and to increase recycling rates. We need to work together across the entire materials ecosystem. Many sectors, including automotive, medical devices, consumer electronics, and packaging, are demanding materials that are designed for circularity and offer low-GHG-emissions to help meet their sustainability goals.

To deliver the solutions our customers are seeking, Dow has established partnerships around the world that are driving business growth through circularity.

An example of this is Dow’s partnership with Mura Technology to build multiple world-scale advanced recycling facilities in the United States and Europe, including in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Dow’s recent acquisition of Circulus, a leading mechanical recycler of plastic waste into PCR material, marks a significant step in evolving our business model. That means a plastics manufacturer is now a recycler. That’s a big deal.

By combining Dow’s materials-science expertise with Circulus’ film recycling technology, we aim to improve capacity for waste to be transformed into useful materials that are ready for a second life. This work underscores our commitment to supporting the reliable supply and quality of circular waste streams, which helps big brands around the world achieve their sustainability goals.

Paving the way for sustainable plastics and recycling innovation

We have to be willing to take risks, think BIG and invest in new ideas for plastics circularity.

Curious minds are at work around the world to solve some of the tough challenges related to plastic waste management. They are testing, learning, and developing to advance new solutions for more sustainable plastics, better recycling rates, and less dependence on fossil fuel.

It’s inspiring how our industry is supporting these experts in their exploration of bold ideas. At Dow, our R&D pipeline supports sustainability outcomes such as climate protection, the circular economy, and safer materials. These initiatives are not just about recycling more; they are about reimagining the very foundation of how we produce, use, and repurpose plastics—paving the way for a sustainable future.

A materials ecosystem is developing around plastic and renewable waste to deliver its total value. By repeatedly transforming plastic waste into new products, less waste ends up in landfills, incinerators or in the environment.

Connections around the world, through the materials ecosystem, are helping to address challenges like consumers’ evolving concern for their environmental footprint and the subsequent surge in demand for products and packaging with key sustainability benefits.

Wherever you may be within the value chain, I hope you will join us in the journey to harness the power of technology and policy to create a circular economy for plastics.

It’s about ensuring a cleaner, and more sustainable world for generations to come.

About the author

Haley Lowry is a global sustainability director at Dow with 19 years of experience creating new, circular business models and products that integrate social, environmental, and commercial goals across CPG, retail, and plastics.

Haley frequently discusses plastic, waste issues and plastic pollution solutions at Green Biz, USAID, SXSW, and Our Ocean. She has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a Top Women Breaking the Mold, and is a board member of several organizations, including the Recycling Partnership. She has been published in Sustainable Brands, WEF, and The Guardian.

As a passionate professional driving transformation and system change, Haley volunteers as a mentor and a consultant for social impact initiatives and enjoys being outdoors at every opportunity.

About the article

The film, Plastic 2.0: The coolest ideas disrupting the future of waste, was produced in partnership with the Economist Impact. It explores the value of diverse approaches and collaborative efforts to developing plastic pollution solutions and what is needed to unlock a circular economy for plastics.