Kesko in global vanguard measured by sustainability indicators

"The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations" list for 2007 was unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, 24 January. Kesko has been included in the Global 100 annually since its launch in 2005.

Evaluations were made by Corporate Knights Inc. and Innovest Strategic Value Advisors Inc. of a total of 1,800 companies. The indicators used for comparing the companies relate to their performance on strategic governance, environmental and social responsibility and human capital issues. Kesko received the third highest points of all in the area of human capital. No overall points were given to companies. All the 100 best companies were awarded the highest quality rating AAA.

According to organisers, there is great demand for these kinds of comparisons. Investors, consumers, authorities and non-governmental organisations want to know about various corporations' efforts in sustainable development. Executives want to identify their companies' strengths and development needs, and employees rate corporate responsibility high when defining an ideal place of work.

Besides Kesko, four other trading sector companies made it onto the 2007 list: Inditex of Spain, and Kingfisher, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury of UK.

The list and background information has been published at www.global100.org.

Further information is available from:
Jouko Kuisma, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 23140 or +358 50 5143 043

Kesko is the most versatile provider of trading sector services in the Baltic Sea area. In close cooperation with retailers and other partners it produces retail and wholesale services that are highly valued by customers. Kesko operates in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.