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Brown-Forman

OVERALL

Owned
USA
Rating
Criticisms

Alcoholic beverages

Among the world's largest 10 spirits companies. Established in 1870, the founding Brown family control the company.

Brown-Forman Corporation   USA     website   email      

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Brown-Forman Corporation
Environment Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA), as using renewable energy for 98% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA (2020)
Social 100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign (2021)
Social Human Rights Benchmark
The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 0-10 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
Business Ethics 16/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 16/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2021)
Social CDP Water Security Score of D
In 2018, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of D.
Source: CDP (2018)
Business Ethics Use of GM corn
Brown-Forman admit using genetically modified corn in some of their distilling.
Source: company website (2014)
Business Ethics CEO Pay Ratio of 107:1
In 2019 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$58,120. The CEO was paid 107 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO (2020)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Social IARD member
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD (2021)
Business Ethics 62.3% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2016
This company received a score of 62.3/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2016, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2016)
Business Ethics Responsibility claims
This company has responsibility claims on its website in the areas of waste reduction, community support, environmental sustainability and alcohol responsibility.
Source: company website (2020)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of C
In 2018, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of C.
Source: CDP (2018)
Business Ethics OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets (2020)
Business Ethics 50.8% at JUST Capital
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2022 rankings the public identified 19 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 420th of 954 companies, and 20th of 35 Food, Beverage & Tobacco companies.
Source: JUST Capital (2022)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Revenue 3.1 billion USD (2016)
Employees 4,570 (2017)
Subsidiaries Brown-Forman Australia Pty Ltd 

Liquor wholesaling

Contact Details

Address Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Website www.brown-forman.com

Products / Brands

Brown-Forman Australia
Chambord Liqueur
el Jimador Tequila
Finlandia Vodka
Gentleman Jack Bourbon
Gentleman Jack Premix Spirits
Herradura Tequila
Jack Daniels Bourbon
Jack Daniels Premix Spirits
Old Forester Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Bourbon


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