PRWeek, the leading publication for the public relations industry, launched the Purpose Awards to recognize programs that use creative ideas to genuinely further positive causes as well as to acknowledge the organizations and individuals behind them.

Stanley Black & Decker was recognized for delivering on its ambitious corporate social responsibility program, including its efforts to address the manufacturing skills gap and to create innovative products that help build a more sustainable world.

Specifically, PRWeek cited the company’s maker-focused initiatives, including the development of a STEAM curriculum with Discovery Education for sixth to ninth graders, a collaboration with Greenlight for Girls to inspire young girls to pursue STEAM careers, a partnership with the global WorldSkills competition and the opening of its own Makerspace for employees and local communities. The publication also recognized the company’s launch of NADI, an eco-friendly, low cost solar-powered water pump that provides reliable irrigation for agricultural farms in India.

“Authentic purpose shows the power of values in action – today people want to work for, buy from and advocate for companies and brands with meaning, true meaning that is lived consistently for all stakeholders,” said Carol Cone, founder of Carol Cone on Purpose and this year’s chair of judges for the PRWeek Purpose Awards. “Winners of the Purpose Awards show compelling ways to matter to stakeholders for business and societal impact. Their strategies and creative executions should inspire others to stretch for integrated, inspiring purpose executions.”

Consumers and employees increasingly expect the brands they engage with and organizations they work for to clearly communicate what they believe in and publicly stand up for those values. The Purpose Awards are meant to recognize organizations that act authentically.

“Stanley Black & Decker’s purpose is ‘For Those Who Make the World,’ and over the past two years, our entire organization has been focused on delivering programs that channel this purpose and create lasting positive impact on society,” said Shannon Lapierre, Stanley Black & Decker’s chief communications officer. “This recognition is a testament to our ambitious corporate social responsibility strategy and the hard work of our employees around the world who are committed to bringing our purpose to life – without their commitment, it would simply be a statement.”

Other finalists for “Brand of the Year” included Adidas, Aflac, Chobani, and The Kroger Co.

Delivering on Stanley Black & Decker’s Purpose

In 2017, Stanley Black & Decker unveiled a new purpose – For Those Who Make the World. Shortly thereafter, the company launched a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy that tied the company’s purpose with the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. While the company always had a deep commitment to CSR, the new strategy was reflective of the company’s broader ambition to help create a more sustainable world.

“The diverse, purpose-driven people of Stanley Black & Decker share a single passion for creating products, tools and solutions for those who make the world,” said Deb Geyer, corporate responsibility officer for Stanley Black & Decker. “We believe that Stanley Black & Decker’s purpose of equipping people, innovating around customer needs, and improving communities distinguishes the organization as a unique industrial company.”

The strategy focuses the company's efforts on three key pillars: empowering makers, innovating with purpose and creating a more sustainable world. By 2030, Stanley Black & Decker plans to enable 10 million creators and makers to thrive in a changing world, innovate our products to enhance the lives of 500 million people, and, be carbon positive in its global operations, meaning its carbon capture is greater than its carbon emissions.

To learn more about the company's CSR strategy, visit www.stanleyblackanddecker.com/social-responsibility.

For more information about the 2019 PRWeek Purpose Awards, please visit https://www.prweekpurposeawards.com/.

Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker is a $14 billion revenue, purpose-driven industrial organization. Stanley Black & Decker has 61,000 employees in more than 60 countries and operates the world's largest tools and storage business, the world's second largest commercial electronic security company, a leading engineered fastening business as well as Oil & Gas and Infrastructure businesses. The company's iconic brands include Black & Decker, Bostitch, CRAFTSMAN, DEWALT, FACOM, Irwin, Lenox, Porter Cable and Stanley. Stanley Black & Decker is a company for the makers and innovators, the craftsmen and the caregivers, and those doing the hard work to make the world a better place.

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