Arlington, VA, September 20, 2004 - Four businesses have been selected from a North American competition to receive the 2004 Better Business Bureaus' International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, it was announced today by the Council of Better Business Bureaus. The winners are:
- Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, Findlay, OH (1,000+ employee category);
- Marous Brothers Construction, Inc., Willoughby, OH (100-999 employees);
- K-CO Construction, Inc., San Diego, CA (11-99 employees); and,
- Downing Street Garage, Denver, CO (1-10 employees).
Two businesses were selected to receive Honorable Mention distinction: 911 Collision Centers (Tucson, AZ) and H. Preston Scales & Sons Funeral Home (Murfreesboro, TN).
"These companies deserve widespread public recognition for the many steps they take each day to ensure top-notch treatment of their customers, their employees, their vendors and suppliers, their stakeholders and the communities in which they do business. Each winner superbly illustrates how operating with honesty, respect and integrity leads to success in the marketplace," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
BBB International Torch Award
An independent panel of ethics experts selected the winning companies following a careful review of more than 100 entries from throughout the U.S. and Canada. The companies were rated according to the distinctive ways in which they maintained customer loyalty; supported employees and their families; forged enduring relationships with vendors and suppliers; promoted high standards within their respective industries; adhered to truthful and honest advertising and sales practices; provided long-term value to shareholders and investors; and contributed to the well-being of surrounding communities and the environment.
Thomas J. Ryan, chair of the CBBB and senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, Quaker Foods and Beverages said, "There are many lessons to be learned from recent corporate scandals. Taking advantage of customers or investors, pursuing short-term gains and ignoring the needs of your employees or communities are paths to oblivion. The BBB Torch Award winners provide the parameters for a positive business model: serve your customers, employees, investors, suppliers, communities and even your competitors with high standards of integrity, and you will prosper over the long run."
About the Winners:
Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, Findlay, Ohio (petroleum/refining/marketing/transportation)
Formed in 1998 by two companies long guided by integrity, Marathon Ashland Petroleum (MAP) continues to emphasize doing the right things for the right reasons, rather than in response to a crisis. Its Code of Business Conduct demands high standards of business ethics, environmental stewardship, employee safety and community responsibility. Committed to strong corporate governance, MAP's majority parent, Marathon Oil Corporation, outperforms 94% of energy groups as measured by the ISS Corporate Governance Quotient. MAP's Supplier Diversity program is helping to give all business enterprises equal access to supply and service opportunities. The company presents annual Ethics Forums for local business leaders and generously supports community organizations. Two MAP refineries are certified as OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Star worksites, an honor earned by only a small percentage of refineries. MAP has twice received industry "Responsible Care® Exemplary Recognition" awards, and was honored with BBB/Toledo's Torch Award.
Marous Brothers Construction, Inc., Willoughby, Ohio (construction)
Founded in 1980, Marous Brothers Construction has grown from a fledgling remodeling operation into a company employing hundreds and providing a multitude of diverse construction services. It has built an outstanding reputation for maintaining clients' budgets and design options and uses a Total Quality Management Program to ensure job efficiency, accuracy and high quality workmanship. Many employees begin their careers as co-ops or apprentices in union programs, developing their skills and special interests with the company's support. Suppliers and subcontractors refer to Marous as a "class act." Committed to improving lives as well as landscapes, it helps communities overcome social and environmental issues, most specifically through low-income housing and historical rehabilitation projects. The company supports diversity and uses subcontractors, vendors and trades people who recognize the importance of minority participation. Marous has received numerous honors for craftsmanship, construction, renovation and neighborhood revitalization and the BBB/Cleveland Torch Award.
K-CO Construction, Inc., San Diego, California (general contractor/construction)
Dave Konstantin founded K-CO in 1995 and has grown the remodeling company by consistently "doing the right thing." Family-owned and operated, K-CO is truthful with potential customers about the cost and length of a project; owns up to any mistakes immediately, fixing them without hassle; and, gives money back when that's the right thing to do. Its customer contracts include all details of a project and a pre-determined payment schedule tied to construction milestones. Through on-site supervision and close working relationships with subcontractors, K-CO ensures that projects proceed efficiently and on time. It hires people who share high standards of quality and integrity and offers employee benefits that exceed industry norms. The company does not employ sales reps; potential customers meet with either the owner or his son for free estimates. It avoids "one price fits all" in its advertisements. The K-CO team donates time, money and labor to numerous community projects. K-CO was named to Qualified Remodeler Magazine's Top 500 list for two years running and was awarded BBB/San Diego's Torch Award.
Downing Street Garage, Denver, Colorado (auto repair)
The Kirchdorfer's commitment to extraordinary service; communications and teamwork; doing it right, and having fun has changed people's perceptions of the auto repair industry. In 18 years, their business has grown from one bay to an award-winning auto repair shop. Downing Street Garage delivers exceptional service in a clean, friendly environment; provides fair and accurate estimates; and, carefully explains every diagnosis and repair process. Unique customer benefits include free car pick-up and delivery and $10/day rental cars. Detailed repair authorization write-up procedures ensure effective communications between the service advisor, technician and customer. Technicians are tested and ASE-certified, with the business footing the bill. Downing Street builds lasting relationships with vendors that parallel its commitment to customers. Its noteworthy community support includes providing low-cost auto repair services for local non-profit organizations. The business has earned numerous industry honors from the AAA, ASA and ASE, as well as the Denver/Boulder BBB's Torch Award.
This year's panel of judges selected two additional businesses to receive Honorable Mention distinction.
911 Collision Centers, Tucson, Arizona (auto collision repair) is being recognized for exemplary customer service that strives to secure the complete satisfaction of two customer bases -- the car owner and the third party claims-payer. Its 12-point customer commitment plan details how customers are treated throughout the repair process and beyond. Customers can go online and view repairs as they are being done. After five viewings, the customer is surveyed, enabling the business mid-repair to make sure he or she is satisfied with the handling of their claim and their car's repairs. 911 Collision Centers won BBB/Tucson's Business Ethics Award.
H. Preston Scales & Sons Funeral Home, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (funeral home) was awarded Honorable Mention distinction for upholding its founder's commitment to offer "Personalized, Affordable and Compassionate Service" for everyone, regardless of race or income. Its high standards of service attract a customer base that embraces all nationalities, cultures and religions. It offers a limousine, funeral program and clothing for indigent families, so their loved ones can have a respectable funeral, and contributes money, time and talents to numerous community organizations and charities. H. Preston Scales & Sons Funeral Home won the BBB of Middle Tennessee's Torch Award.
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About the BBBs' International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
The panel of judges for the 2004 BBBs' International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics were: Al Beatty, retired senior vice president, Council of Better Business Bureaus; Andy Bishop, president, Baker Printing Company in Baker, LA [2003 International Torch Award winner]; Sharon Brock, Faculty Emeritus, Ohio State University; Joan Koebernick, owner of Dakota-K Auto Repair & Tire Center in Arlington, Heights, IL [2000 National Torch Award winner]; and Ken Nees, retired senior vice president and corporate secretary, Sony Electronics, Inc. [1996 National Torch Award winner].
Companies were evaluated against criteria that included commitment to and demonstration of ethical practices in the marketplace; high standards of behavior toward customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities; truthfulness and accuracy of advertising and sales practices; ethical reputation among industry peers and in communities in which they do business; long-term value of ethics policies to shareholders, customers and employees; and training and communications programs to assist employees in carrying out ethics policies.
For the complete list of winners dating to 1996, the year the BBBs' Torch Award was established, visit the BBB central web site at www.bbb.org/BizEthics/winners.asp.