It’s been said that corporations have no soul. Typical corporate behavior proves this point. I may write a bit on the nature of corps later, but for now I’d like to point out that there are some exceptions, starting here with Interface Inc, established in 1973 by Ray Anderson.
Atlanta-based international corporation Interface Carpet is at the top of my list of sustainable companies. Founder Ray Anderson read Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce [1994] and was inspired to make 100% sustainability as Interfaces’ mission. Since 1995 the entire company has been focused on integrating this policy into every phase of its operations. In 1999 Ray Anderson wrote about his new passion: Mid-Course Correction: Toward a Sustainable Enterprise: The Interface Model (Paperback 1999)
Interface wants to “be the first company that, by its deeds, shows the entire industrial world what sustainability is in all its dimensions: People, process, product, place and profits by 2020” ... “ Ray believes that if Interface, a petro-intensive company, can get it right, it will never have to take another drop of oil from the earth.” This goal of “ becoming the world's first environmentally restorative company by 2020” is called” Mission Zero.” Details including annual reports can be found at http://interfaceinc.com.
Interface Inc, the stock [IFSIA: NASDAQ] currently sells for around $18 a share, has almost 5000 employees, an annual revenue of over a billion dollars, and a dividend of 0.44%. The share price has increased from $8 in 1990, and has risen steadily from a low of under $3 in 2003. I have owned Interface shares since ‘98, but I will not recommend their purchase, for each of us should make our own investment decisions, based on market timing, our own income, investment goals, common sense, and instincts, so I will NOT endorse ANY investment. But I sure hope to share some great suggestions!
