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Brown-Forman Australia

OVERALL

Owned
USA
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Liquor wholesaling

Company Ownership

Brown-Forman Australia Pty Ltd   AUS     website   email      
  Brown-Forman Corporation   
   owns 100% of Brown-Forman Australia Pty Ltd  
USA     website   email      

Alcoholic beverages

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

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Brown-Forman Australia Pty Ltd
Environment 3/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 3 (Advanced) in its 2022 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2022)
Social DrinkWise contributor
This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.
Source: DrinkWise (2020)
Brown-Forman Corporation
Environment Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA) as using renewable energy for 115% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA (2023)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of B
In 2022, 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 B.
Source: CDP (2022)
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 3.6% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 3.6%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)
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 22/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 22/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). 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 (2022)
Business Ethics 43.6/125 at JUST Capital
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2023 rankings JUST Capital asked a representative sample of 3,002 Americans to compare 20 different business Issues on a head-to-head basis, producing a reliable hierarchy of Issues ranked in order of priority. Issues are organised under the headings Workers, Customers, Communities, the Environment, or Shareholders & Governance. 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 663rd of 951 companies, and 22nd of 31 Food, Beverage & Tobacco companies.
Source: JUST Capital (2023)
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)
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)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue 235 million AUD (2019)
Employees 150 (2019)

Contact Details

Address 280 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, NSW , 2010, Australia
Phone 02 9764 8777
Email australiaecommcustomerservice@brownforman.com.au
Website www.brownforman.com.au

Products / Brands

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


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