Deere among world's most ethical companies for eighth straight year

MOLINE, Ill., March 20, 2014 /CNW/ - For the eighth consecutive year, Deere & Company has been included on Ethisphere Institute's "World's Most Ethical Companies" list. The research-based Ethisphere Institute is dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability.

Deere was among 144 companies honored after evaluations were conducted of each company's corporate ethics and compliance program; overall reputation, leadership and innovation; corporate governance; corporate citizenship and responsibility; and company culture concerning ethics.

Timothy Erblich, chief executive officer of Ethisphere, said, "The entire community of World's Most Ethical Companies believe that customers, employees, investors and regulators place a high premium on trust and that ethics and good governance are key in earning it. Deere & Company joins an exclusive community committed to driving performance through leading business practices."

The Ethisphere Institute reported that honorees promote ethical business standards and practices internally that exceed legal compliance minimums and shape future industry standards. The list was made final after Ethisphere reviewed and analyzed hundreds of nominations from around the globe. Assessment of company data that was then verified by careful independent research resulted in an Ethics Quotient for each company. Those companies with the highest EQ scores in each industry were named to the final list. Companies from 22 countries and 41 industries were represented on this year's list.

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.

SOURCE: Deere & Company

Eric Hodson, Manager, Strategic Public Relations, 309-765-5191

http://www.deere.com