Hong Kong Sourcing Company William E. Connor & Associates Named as One of World's Most Ethical Companies

HONG KONG , March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Behind some of the biggest household names in luxury fashion and home accessories is a name the average consumer may not know, William E. Connor & Associates Ltd. (www.weconnor.com).  The Hong Kong based global sourcing company, representing elite worldwide brands, announced today that it has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, the leading U.S. business ethics think-tank, as one of 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies.  Connor is the first Asia based company in the sourcing industry to receive the award.  

Meeting demanding scrutiny, Connor secured a hard-earned spot on the list by employing and maintaining upright business practices and initiatives that are instrumental to the company's success; benefit the communities in which the company operates; and raise the bar for ethical standards within the industry.  Connor's business model is unique among its global competitors - the company does not hold an equity interest in any factory, nor receive any financial benefit from factories.  Connor's earnings are generated only from client commissions.  Connor has the highest standards in the industry, ensuring their clients - and ultimately, consumers - receive apparel, decorative items and furniture, manufactured under responsible, fair working conditions.

"More than 60 years ago our founder articulated a clear and uncomplicated code of conduct - we will represent only one interest, that of our principal, and will do so transparently, ethically, and to the very best of our ability.  This code remains the cornerstone of our culture today, "  said Chairman and CEO William E. (Chip) Connor, "Ethisphere has shed much needed light on the sometimes opaque world of global trade, and to be recognized for our contribution to common ethical goals is a true honor."

This is the sixth year Ethisphere has published the WME rankings. Ethisphere rigorously evaluated a record number of applications utilizing its propriety methodology through in-depth research and multi-step analysis, naming the companies that surpassed their industry peers to this year's World's Most Ethical Companies list.  The 2012 list features companies in more than three dozen industries, including 40 companies headquartered outside the United States.  "A strong ethical foundation is a competitive advantage, and William E. Connor & Associates recognizes the important role corporate responsibility plays in improving its bottom line," said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute. "As more and more organizations strive for this honor each year, Connor's inclusion as a World's Most Ethical Company for 2012 demonstrates its industry-leading commitment to ethics and dedication to integrity." 

The methodology for the WME ranking 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 evaluating  nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers. 

(Read about the methodology and view the complete list of the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies at http://www.ethisphere.com/wme.)

About William E. Connor & Associates:

Connor was founded in Tokyo in 1949 by William E. Connor Sr., who had served as a trade attache in the administration of General Douglas MacArthur after World War II.  Recognizing Japan's enormous peacetime potential, Connor Sr., opened a purchasing office in Tokyo in 1949 dedicated to representing the interests of non-Japanese companies purchasing from Japan.

Connor overcame trade barriers, currency volatility, wars and political instability and grew his business in Asia.  He made the foundation of his business that of providing top tier service with uncompromising integrity.  He did not trade, broker, or sell merchandise to clients.   Rather he provided a wholly transparent logistics framework that formed the foundation of long term sourcing partnerships.  These partnerships enabled clients to source directly from factories, bypassing middlemen.  This framework remains the cornerstone of Connor's philosophy.

Now headquartered in Hong Kong, Connor employs over 1,400 professionals in more than 35 locations across 20 countries around the world representing the procurement requirements of world recognized retailers and consumer brands on four continents.  Many client partnerships have endured for decades, in part because Connor has never strayed from their core philosophy, of uncompromised transparency, ethic, and performance.

About Ethisphere Institute:

The research-based Ethisphere^® Institute is a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. Ethisphere Magazine, which publishes the globally recognized World's Most Ethical Companies Ranking™, is the quarterly publication of the Institute. Ethisphere provides the only third-party verifications of compliance programs and ethical cultures that include: Ethics Inside^® Certification, Compliance Leader Verification™ and Anti-Corruption Program Verification™. The Institute's premier membership group, the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance™, is a business ethics forum that includes more than 100 leading corporations, universities and institutions that collectively leverage their experience, expertise and innovative ways to address emerging compliance challenges. More information on the Ethisphere Institute, including ranking projects and membership, can be found at http://www.ethisphere.com

Media Contact:

Evonne Lum
Ogilvy PR on behalf of William E. Connor & Associates
Tel: +852 2884 8656
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE William E. Connor & Associates