SAM Rates Johnson Controls as 'Silver Class Sustainability Leader'

MILWAUKEE, March 22, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls, a global diversified company in the building and automotive industries, today announced that SAM, a sustainability investment asset management firm, has recognized Johnson Controls as a 2012 Silver Class Sustainability Leader in SAM's annual Sustainability Yearbook.  In collaboration with KPMG, an audit, tax, and advisory firm, SAM annually rates companies based on their sustainability performance.

Johnson Controls was the only company recognized with SAM's Silver Class sustainability rating in the Auto Parts & Tires sector. Companies receiving a score within a range of 1% to 5% of the Sector Leader receive the SAM Silver Class distinction. The company has received Gold Class ratings in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

"We are honored to be recognized by SAM," said Charles A. Harvey, vice president of diversity and public affairs at Johnson Controls. "Our longstanding commitment to sustainability is driven by our vision and values and is an integral part of Johnson Controls' business and is embraced by our 162,000 employees around the world." 

Each year, the world's largest 2,500 companies, as reflected in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index, are invited to participate in SAM's Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Only the top-scoring 15% of the companies in each of the 58 sectors assessed are eligible for inclusion in The Sustainability Yearbook. Out of the 433 companies that were included in the Yearbook, the following awards were given to companies: 87 SAM Gold Class, 41 SAM Silver Class and 92 SAM Bronze Class. The SAM results provide the basis for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.

The sector-specific environmental criteria used for the Auto Parts & Tires ranking include climate strategy, emission products, environmental policy/management system, and CO2 from logistics. Social dimension strategies in the ranking include human capital development, stakeholder engagement, standards for suppliers and talent attraction and retention.

For details about the Sustainability Yearbook visit http://www.sam-group.com/int/sustainability-insight/the-sustainability-yearbook.jsp.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About SAM

SAM is an investment boutique focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing. The firm's offering comprises asset management, indexes and private equity. Its asset management capabilities include a range of single-theme, multi-theme and core sustainability investment strategies catering to institutional asset owners and financial intermediaries in Europe, the United States, and Asia-Pacific. Through its index activities, SAM has partnered with Dow Jones Indexes for the publication and licensing of the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) as well as customized sustainability benchmarks. Furthermore, SAM is the center of expertise for clean tech private equity within Robeco. Based on its Corporate Sustainability Assessment, SAM has compiled one of the world's largest sustainability databases and analyzes over 2,000 listed companies annually. SAM's proprietary research and sustainability data are fully integrated into its offering.SAM belongs to Robeco, which was established in 1929 and offers a broad range of investment products and services worldwide. Robeco is a subsidiary of the Rabobank Group.SAM was founded in 1995, is headquartered in Zurich and employs over 100 professionals. As of December 31, 2011, SAM's total assets amount to USD 11.4 billion.

SOURCE Johnson Controls