July 12, 2010
Koch companies have earned 180 local-, state- and national-level awards for safety and
environmental excellence in the past two years.
These honors recognize these companies for efforts to operate plants responsibly; implement technologies to cut emissions and conserve energy, water and other resources; and manufacture customer-preferred products.
“Our companies understand that long-term success means we must create real value for our customers and society not only by supplying superior products but also by being innovative in how we manufacture everything from paper products to low-sulfur fuels,” says Dave Robertson, president and chief operating officer of Koch Industries, Inc. “We are dedicated to meeting our customers’ demand for quality products while working safely and finding cost-effective ways to conserve energy and reduce waste and emissions.
“We recognize our ability to add value doesn’t stop at our fenceline,” Robertson said. “Over decades of operations, we have collaborated with many organizations who share our commitment to stewardship and responsibility and science-based programs.”
For example, the company has worked with The Nature Conservancy on projects aimed at preserving land and habitat. In February 2010, Georgia-Pacific donated 682 acres near Wauna, Ore., to The Nature Conservancy. Koch companies provide support to the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation, which made a $1 million grant to The Nature Conservancy in Kansas to help with its acquisition of the nearly 11,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Alan Pollom, state director of the Conservancy’s Kansas Chapter, said “We are honored to use this generous gift to help permanently protect one of the best examples of unfragmented tallgrass prairies found in the Flint Hills region. The generosity of the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation is an important commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation in Kansas.”
Koch companies’ dedication to responsible corporate behavior has resulted in industry-recognized performance at many sites. For example, for three years running, Flint Hills Resources has been named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by the Ethisphere Institute. The honor reflects the company’s “outstanding commitment to ethical leadership, compliance practices and corporate social responsibility.”
Koch companies also work with various state and local agencies to share knowledge. As an example, Georgia-Pacific’ consumer products business joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWaySM Transport Partnership, a collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency and reduce air pollution. In 2009, GP received the program’s SmartWay Excellence Award for achievements such as these: increasing intermodal shipping (truck to rail to truck) by 39 percent in 2008 vs. 2007, reducing fuel consumption by 2.6 million gallons; reducing total miles traveled from manufacturing point to customer
delivery, which equaled about 4 million miles in 2008; and reducing deadhead (trucks returning empty) by 10 percent by better management of the transportation system and cooperation of contract carriers. Koch companies are involved in environmental preservation projects onsite and in the community.
Employees have participated in river cleanup and ecosystem restoration projects with groups such as Friends of the Mississippi River and the Potomac Conservancy, among others. In addition, Koch companies regularly share their sites certified by the international Wildlife Habitat Council with students and organizations such as the Audubon Society.
“As a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council since 1998, Koch Industries, Inc. takes a leadership role in the promotion of biodiversity, wildlife habitat enhancement, land restoration and conservation education," said Robert Johnson, president, Wildlife Habitat Council. "Koch and its subsidiaries maintain Council-certified programs at 10 facilities throughout the United States, including the 300,000-acre Matador Cattle Company Beaverhead Ranch (in Montana)."
Koch companies strive to be the “operator of choice” in their communities, underscoring the commitment to operating safely and in an environmentally responsible manner as well as developing and producing products improve quality of life while limiting impact on the environment. They also use third-party audits to help them identify areas of improvement and ensure that their products meet the highest standards.
For example, INVISTA conducts life-cycle analysis of its products to provide comprehensive, scientific assessment to evaluate environmental progress.
“INVISTA should be proud of the environmental leadership it is taking in the flooring industry,” Bernard R. Yaros, vice president of Boustead Consulting & Associates Ltd., “Pursuing complex third-party life-cycle analysis audits (for nylon 6,6 carpet fiber) like this in order to substantiate its environmental claims prior to them going to market is something a lot of companies don’t do, and it should be applauded.”
Koch companies also strive to be leaders when it comes to safe operations. There are 103 Koch company sites that have earned Voluntary Protection Program Star status from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Only the U.S. Postal Service and GE have more VPP sites than Koch companies. In addition, INVISTA is working with OSHA as part of a cooperative program to share information and develop new systems aimed at improving site-based safety programs.
More complete information is available at www.kochehs.com.
Koch Industries, Inc. companies are committed to operating safely and in an environmentally responsible way. As a result of this commitment, our companies have earned praise from customers for our commitment to environmental stewardship and accolades from local, state and national organizations.
2010 awards – received to date
Flint Hills Resources
- 2010 World’s Most Ethical Companies, Ethisphere Institute
- Certificate of Commendation, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Grand Corporate Safety Award, Wisconsin Safety Council, Wisconsin terminal operations
- Meritorious Safety Performance Award, NPRA, Corpus Christi, Longview and Port Arthur, Texas, Peru, Ill., and Rosemount,Minn.
- Safety Achievement – Years Award, NPRA, Corpus Christi, Longview and Port Arthur, Texas, Marysville, Mich., Peru, Ill.
- Gold Award, NPRA, Longview and Port Arthur, Texas, Peru, Ill., and Rosemount, Minn.
- Star among Stars Award, Region 6 Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association, Longview and Port Arthur plants and Fort Worth, Waco, Austin and San Antonio fuel terminals
- Honor Distinction (4 year) Award from National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter, Omaha, Neb., asphalt terminal
- Perfect Record Award Occupational Excellence Achievement, National Safety Council, Omaha, Neb., Fargo, N.D., Algona, Iowa, Marshall, Savage, Pine Bend and Rosemount, Minn., refined products loading terminals; Davenport and Dubuque, Iowa, asphalt terminals, Bettendorf, Iowa, refined products terminal; Green Bay, Junction City, Milwaukee, Stevens Point and Waupun, Wis., refined products terminals; Austin, Bastrop, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Waco refined products terminals
- Iowa-Illinois Safety Award, Algona, Davenport and Dubuque asphalt terminals, and Bettendorf refined products terminal
- Meritorious Achievement Award, Minnesota Safety Council, Rosemount (Pine Bend Asphalt Lab, Pine Bend Bottom Loading and Pine Bend Top Loading offices); and Marshall, Savage and St. Paul, Minn., asphalt terminals
Georgia-Pacific
- 2010 Earth Day Award from the State of Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining, Sigurd, Utah
- Carolina Star recertification, North Carolina Dept. of Labor, Asheboro, N.C.
- Pinnacle Award for safe shipping, Union Pacific Railroad
- MAX award for Innovation of the Decade for en Motion dispensers
- Safety Excellence Award, Fibre Box Association, Huntsville, Ala.; Madera, Calif. (packaging and Color-Box plants); Albany, Ga.; Milford, N.J.; /Circleville, Ohio; Mt. Wolf, Pa.; Cleveland, Tenn.; Oshkosh and Sheboygan, Wis.
- Perfect Plan Award, Fibre Box Association, Augusta, Ga.; Monticello, Iowa; West Monroe, La.; Pelahatchie, Miss.; Batavia, N.Y.; Akron, Ohio; Lebanon, Tenn.; Denton, Texas
INVISTA
- Safety Award, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Camden, S.C.
- Plant Safety Recognition, South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, Camden, S.C.
- Wildlife Habitat recertification, Wildlife Habitat Council, Camden, S.C.
- Environmental Award, CSX Transportation, Inc.
- Safe Handling Award, Canadian National Railway, Kingston, Ontario
- Meritorious Safety Performance Award, NPRA, Orange and Victoria, Texas
- Safety Achievement – Hours Award, NPRA, Orange and Victoria, Texas
- Safety Achievement – Years Award, NPRA, Orange and Victoria, Texas
- Safety/Fire Excellence Award, Sanshui District Safety Bureau, Foshan, China
- A-class Safety Production Management Award, Foshan Safety Bureau, Foshan, China
Koch Chemical Technology Group
- Perfect Record Award, National Safety Council, Koch Knight, Canton, Ohio and Baytown, Texas
Koch Sulfur Products
- Chemical Safety Excellence Award, CSX Transportation, Rosemount, Minn.
- Pinnacle Award for safe shipping, Union Pacific Railroad, Rosemount, Minn.
Koch Nitrogen
- Pinnacle Award for safe shipping, Union Pacific Railroad
- Safety Performance Award, Iowa-Illinois Safety Council, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Koch Pipeline Company
- Incident Rate Award, Iowa-Illinois Safety Council
- Award of Honor - Governor’s Safety Awards, Minnesota Safety Council
- Outstanding Achievement Award and Certificate of Excellence, Wisconsin Safety Council
2009 Awards
Flint Hills Resources
- Meritorious Safety Performance Award, National Petrochemical & Refiners Assn., Rosemount, Minn.; Corpus Christi and Port Arthur, Texas; North Pole, Alaska
- Gold, Achievement in Hours, NPRA, Rosemount, Minn.; North Pole, Alaska; Corpus Christi, Texas
- Achievement in Years award, NPRA, Rosemount, Minn.; North Pole, Alaska; Corpus Christi, Texas, and Marysville, Mich.
- Safety Excellence Award, International Liquid Terminals Assn.
- Marine Environmental Stewardship Customer Award, American Commercial Lines
- Chemical Safety Excellence Award, CSX Transportation, Inc.
- Occupational Excellence Achievement, Perfect Record, and Greater Omaha Safest Companies awards, National Safety Council, Omaha, Neb.
- Minnesota Safety Council, Governors Award, , terminals
- Iowa-Illinois Safety Council, Incident Rate award, terminals
- Wisconsin Safety Council, Corporate Safety Award, terminals
- Voluntary Protection Programs STAR recertification, OSHA, Peru, Ill.
- Award of Honor, Minnesota Safety Council
- Wildlife at Work recertification, Wildlife Habitat Council, Corpus Christi, Texas
Georgia-Pacific
- President’s Award, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc.
- Wildlife Habitat Council certification, Savannah, Ga.
- SmartWay Excellence Award, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Products
- Annual Safety and Health Honor Roll, American Plywood Assn., Emporia, Va.; Cleveland, Texas; and Warm Springs, Ga.
- Safety Improvement Award, American Plywood Association, Emporia, Va.; Grenada, Miss.; and Ocala, Fla.
- 3-Year Safety Award, American Plywood Association, Madison, Ga.; Warm Springs, Ga.
- Incident Free Honor Society, American Plywood Association
- Sawmill Safety Awards; Southern Forest Products Assn., Crossett and Gurdon, Ark.; Monticello and Sterling, Ga.; and Taylorsville and Columbia, Miss.
- Fibre Box Association Corrugated Industry Safety Award, Milan, Mich., packaging plant
- Voluntary Protection Programs STAR certification, OSHA, Sheboygan, Wis., packaging plant
- Voluntary Protection Programs STAR certification, OSHA, Denton, Texas, packaging plant
- Oregon OSHA Milestone Award (reaching 1 million hours with a zero rate for days away from work/restricted time) Toledo, Ore., containerboard mill
- Safety Advocate Award, Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers Union, Toledo, Ore., containerboard mill safety captains
- Safety Coordinator of the Year Award, Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers Union, Toledo, Ore., containerboard mill safety coordinator
INVISTA
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification, U.S. Green Building Council, Antron® brand studio showroom, Chicago, Ill.
- Safe Handling Award, Canadian National Railway, Kingston, Ontario
- Safety Excellence Award, Contractors Safety Council of the Coastal Bend, Victoria, Texas
- Marine Environmental Stewardship Customer Award, American Commercial Lines
- Meritorious Safety Performance, Achievement - Hours, and Achievement - Years awards, NPRA, Orange, Texas
- Gold, Meritorious Safety Performance, Achievement - Hours, and Achievement - Years awards, NPRA, Victoria, Texas
Koch Chemical Technology Group
- Koch Knight – Outstanding Safety Performance 100% Award, State of Ohio and Stark County Safety Council, Canton, Ohio
- John Zink Company – Award of Excellence, Oklahoma Dept. of Labor and the Worker Safety Policy Council, Tulsa
- John Zink Company – Tulsa, Okla.; Excellence in Safety Award, Gas Processors Assn.
- John Zink Company – Tulsa, Okla.; Voluntary Protection Programs Star of Stars Award, OSHA VPP Region VI
- Koch-Glitsch – Dallas, Voluntary Protection Programs Star of Excellence, OSHA Region VI VPP
- Koch-Glitsch – Wichita, Kan.; Voluntary Protection Programs Star of Excellence, OSHA Region VII VPP
- Koch-Glitsch – Houston, Voluntary Protection Programs Super Star, OSHA Region VI VPP
- Koch Heat Transfer Canada – Sarnia, Ontario; Level II Health and Safety Award, Industrial Accident Prevention Assn.
- Koch Heat Transfer Canada – Toronto; IAPA Safety Group Award, Industrial Accident and Prevention Assn.
- Koch Specialty Plant Services – Houston, Voluntary Protection Programs Star among Stars, OSHA VPP Region VI
- Koch Specialty Plant Services – Houston, Excellence in Safety Performance, Exxon-Mobil
Koch Carbon
- Voluntary Protection Programs STAR certification, California Dept of Industrial Relations, Long Beach, Calif.
- OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs STAR recertification, Corpus Christi, Texas
Reiss Viking
- Certificate of Achievement, Dept. of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Poca, W.V.
- Certificate of Honor, Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, Poca, W.V.
Koch Pipeline Company
- Incident Rate Award, Iowa-Illinois Safety Council
- Governor’s Safety Award, Minnesota Safety Council
- Exceptional Workplace Safety Award, Minnesota Safety Council
- Outstanding Achievement Award and Certificate of Excellence, Wisconsin Safety Council
- Safety Excellence Award, Contractor and Owner, South Texas Industrial Industry
Koch Supply & Trading
- Marine Environmental Stewardship Customer Award, American Commercial Lines