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13 Businesses Named Finalists in International Marketplace Ethics Competition

Published 08-08-03

Submitted by Council of Better Business Bureaus

ARLINGTON, VA - Thirteen businesses have been selected finalists in the 2003 Better Business Bureaus' International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics competition. The winner from each of four categories will be announced on September 29, 2003 at an awards ceremony in San Diego, CA at the International Assembly of Better Business Bureaus.

Presented annually since 1996, the BBB Torch Award was established to highlight the long-term value of honest and honorable business practices.

The award became international in scope in 2002 when businesses located in communities served by the BBB in Canada and Mexico became eligible to enter.

Leading up to this year's competition, an estimated 1,500 businesses competed in local BBB Torch Award competitions, with 83 businesses proceeding to the national level.

"For more than 90 years, the Better Business Bureau Torch has illuminated the marketplace, encouraging businesses to operate in the best interest of their customers, employees, industry and the communities in which they do business. The 2003 Torch Award finalists are a testament to the power of these ideals. These businesses have succeeded, no matter what the economic climate, because of their culture of integrity and the competitive edge that it provides," said Ken Hunter, president of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

An expert panel drawn from academic, public service, business and ethics sectors judged the 2003 competition, which featured entries from 19 states.

Finalists for the 2003 BBB International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, their headquarters city, and a description of their line of business are:

Category I (1,000 or more employees)

AFLAC, Columbus, GA - supplemental health insurance

Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL - capital goods

FBL Financial Group, Inc., West Des Moines, IA - insurance & financial services

Category 2 (100-999 employees)

Coles Carpets & Fine Flooring, San Diego, CA - flooring & window treatments

The Durable Slate Company, Columbus, OH - roofing & guttering contractor

Peoria Charter Coach, Peoria, IL - charter bus service

Roel Construction, San Diego, CA - general contractor

Category 3 (11-99 employees)

A.J.'s Auto Repair, Salem, OR - auto repair/retail

Baker Printing Company, Inc., Baker, LA - commercial printing Toledo

Metal Spinning Company, Toledo, OH - metalforming job shop

Category 4 (1-10 employees)

Bea Day Plumbers, Inc., Iowa City, IA - plumbing contractor

Thermagas, Inc., Wichita Falls, TX - propane gas

Tuckahoe Creek Construction, Inc., Richmond, VA - residential new construction

"Bringing recognition to these exceptional finalists gives the BBB system an opportunity to shine a brighter light on better business. Each finalist has discovered an important truth: A strong company-wide commitment to doing the right thing inspires loyalty from customers and employees. This loyalty not only boosts sales of their service or product; it also improves the quality of life for those that work for and do business with the company, and contributes to a healthy marketplace," said Thomas J. Ryan, chair of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and senior vice president-law, general counsel and secretary, The Quaker Oats Company.

About the BBB International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics:

The Judging:
The finalists and award-winning companies were selected by an independent panel of business ethics experts:

Joan Koebernick, owner of Dakota-K auto Repair & Tire Center in Arlington Heights, IL (winner of the 2000 National Torch Award);

Thomas J. McBride, director-ethics & compliance, National Grid USA Service Co. (winner of the 2002 International Torch Award);

Ronald Miller, formerly president of the BBB of Central Ohio, now a senior consultant with the Bureau's Foundation;

Dr. Laura Nash, senior research
fellow, Harvard Business School; and

Dr. John Yost, professor, Bradley University.

Award Criteria:
Companies were evaluated against criteria that included

commitment to and demonstration of ethical practices in the marketplace;

high standards of behavior toward customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities;

truthfulness and accuracy of advertising and sales practices;

ethical reputation among industry peers and in communities in which they do business;

long-term value of ethics policies to shareholders, customers and employees; and

training and communications programs to assist employees in carrying out established ethics policies.

Previous Recipients:
Recent winners of the National/International Torch Award include:
Catg. I:

Niagara Mohawk, A National Grid Company, Syracuse, NY;

United Supermarkets, headquartered in Lubbock, TX;

CDW Computer Centers, Inc., Vernon Hills, IL

Catg. II:

CMC Properties, Cincinnati, OH;

Cook's Pest Control, Decatur, AL;

Walker Information, Inc., Indianapolis, IN;

Commerce Bank & Trust, Topeka, KS

Catg. III:

Studio 904 Inc., Seattle, WA;

Packer Thomas, Youngstown, OH;

Dakota-K Auto Repair and Tire Center, Arlington Heights, IL

Catg. IV:

Blue Star Learning, San Diego, CA;

International Minute Press, Boise, ID;

Stephen C. Gidley, Inc., Darien CT.

For the complete list of winners dating to 1996, the year the National Torch Award was established, visit the BBB central web site at www.bbb.org/BizEthics/winners.asp .

13 Businesses Named Finalists in International Marketplace Ethics Competition

13 Businesses Named Finalists in International Marketplace Ethics Competition

Council of Better Business Bureaus

Council of Better Business Bureaus

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