Sustainability is not just a passing fancy

Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN), a diversified power management company with sales of $13 billion in 2007, is increasing the visibility of their unique approach to corporate growth. Focusing on sustainability, both within their organization, their products and their commitment to building real value, they are adding a sustainable section to their website. Not well advertised to the general public, their approach is a secret well known throughout the world. In South America, Eaton has been #1 on Brazil’s Information Week 100 list, and among the “Top Innovators” on the U.S. Information Week 500 list. In China they have been recognized by the Corporate Citizen Committee of the China Association of Social Workers, China Enterprise News, China WTO Tribune magazine, and received the Most Committed Multi-National Award for Social Responsibility from Foreign Investment in China magazine.

Yet, their sustainability focus is a top down approach, not just a convenient add-on. For the past 15 years, Eaton has included goals for greenhouse gas reduction, facility safety, new products for efficient power management, and community enrichment activities as key factors. While faced with recent cutbacks due to the global downturn, they are a recent Warren Buffet pick. Their new hydraulic hybrid system, developed in partnership with IBM, will be used by UPS and carefully monitored by Eaton.