Sodexo Receives Top Ranking in 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for 9th Consecutive Year

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, has been recognized as best-in-class for social, environmental and economic responsibility by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) for the 9th year in a row.

Sodexo has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World since 2005. This year, continuing its unbroken nine-year run, Sodexo was named Global Sustainability Industry Leader for its sector.

S&P Dow Jones Indices works in partnership with RobecoSAM, the investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing that tracks the performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide. The annual DJSI review is based on a thorough analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, climate strategy, environmental policy/management systems, supply chain standards and labor practices.

Among the highlights of Sodexo's North American corporate responsibility achievements in 2013 were recognition of Sodexo's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, a pillar of its human resources philosophy, by DiversityInc; advancements in health and wellness via reductions in the salts, sugars and fats in its menu offerings; and a new holistic wellness program integrating nutrition, performance, physical activity and community collaboration.

"Requirements for operating excellence, cost optimization, the pace of technology innovation, globalization and intensive competition all impact how companies operate and absolutely affect their human capital," said George Chavel, president and CEO, Sodexo North America. "We see ourselves as strategic partners with our clients - and we are experts at making sustainability work, helping our clients improve their performance and the well-being of their people and their customers. Sustainability is about people and its objective is improving quality of life, and our approach treats sustainability, not as a separate business offer, special program, or marketing campaign, but rather as a key element woven into the very fabric of our business."

"Sodexo has consistently ranked as the leader in its industry, demonstrating that the company is not resting on its accomplishments but instead dedicated to continuous improvement based on the company's founding principles to improve quality of life and contribute to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates," said Manjit Jus, Sustainability Operations Manager, RobecoSAM. "Sodexo has shown that creating value for its stakeholders and communities must not come at the cost of creating business value. It has leveraged its experience in proactively managing sustainability issues and its position as a leading global service provider throughout its value chain to include its customers and suppliers."

"Sodexo is honored to be recognized again as the leader in our industry when it comes to our social, environment and economic performance," said Damien Verdier, Sodexo Executive Committee member for Sustainable Development. "Sodexo's strong results in impacting local communities, healthy living and environmental policy and management are confirmation that we are improving the quality of life through the services we provide."

Some of Sodexo's North American achievements in corporate responsibility this year include:

• Sodexo North America was ranked first on the 2013 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list among nearly 900 companies evaluated on objective criteria in four categories: CEO Commitment, Human Capital, Corporate and Organizational Communications and Supplier Diversity. DiversityInc awarded Sodexo first place due to the company's on-going commitment to diversity, the engagement of its leadership and its ability to implement, measure, and assess strong internal initiatives. 
• To support helping organizations and their people improve well-being and performance, Sodexo North America pursued a range of health and wellness initiatives.
  • One example of impact is that the company reduced the amount of salt, sugar and fat in foods offered at 83 percent of its client sites in North America; with 55 percent of its operating units delivering menus with more than 50 percent well-balanced entrees.
  • Another example of impact is that the company developed a significant new holistic wellness offering called Mindful. The program is focused on the creation and delivery of easily identifiable "better for you" menu items, supporting and integrated with education and initiatives around nutrition and performance, physical activity, mind and spirit wellness, and community and collaboration opportunities. Mindful is now an active program at 900 locations, with a goal of 2,500 by 2015.

About Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Life Services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made nearly $20 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at blogs.sodexoUSA.com. Visit Sodexo on Facebook and follow on Twitter @SodexoUSA.

Key Figures (as of August 31, 2012)

Sodexo in North America

8.8 billion dollars consolidated revenue
125,000 employees
9,000 sites
700 facilities management sites
15 million consumers served daily

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.