Greentech Lead America: AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, a
manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, has released its first
global sustainability report that presents data supporting the sustainable
strategy and updates progress toward change.
“At AGCO, sustainability is vital to our vision to
offer high-tech solutions for farmers feeding the world,” said Martin
Richenhagen, chairman, president and CEO of AGCO. “We are in a very unique
position to impact sustainability along the manufacturing and agricultural
value chains. We developed our approach to provide the best impact to both.”
In 2011, AGCO kicked off a comprehensive corporate
sustainability initiative with the development of a plan to invest in projects
and program development in areas that will reduce operating expenses, develop
revenue opportunities, and reduce operating risks.
The company is already working to design and develop
solutions that address the evolving needs of farmers and reduce environmental
impacts. The report, which aligns with the Global Reporting Initiative,
includes company accomplishments such as:
In 2011, AGCO directed $275.6 million to research and
engineering, a 25.5 percent increase over 2010. Among AGCO’s largest
wholly-owned sites, more than half are certified to ISO 14001 and/or the EU
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. Going forward AGCO will monitor and report
energy use by source and develop an energy management program that drives
efficiency and cost saving across its organization.
AGCO released the company’s Supplier Code of Conduct to
build and strengthen relationships with preferred suppliers that support
quality, environmental stewardship and high labor standards.
During the first half of 2012 AGCO began building the
structures to drive accountability for its performance.