In succession to the naming of Dole Food Co., Inc. as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2007, Dole Korea, a subsidiary of Dole Food has won the Grand Prize in Consumer Trust Awards 2007 as the company trusted the most by Korean consumers.
What this signifies is that Dole Korea is now firmly rooted in the Korean market as a food supplier that has won consumers' deep trust in parallel with the company's founding motto of "quality first, quality second, and quality third."
The company operates a fresh food maintenance system, providing Korean consumers with healthy, fresh products by means of refrigerated trucks, airplanes, and exclusive shipping lines. Dole Korea's products are quickly packaged right after harvest to provide consumers with products that are not only tasty and nutritious but also trustful. In order to supply highest quality products that meet the consumer needs that are changing minute by minute, the company operates its own research and development center.
Dole Korea's strenuous efforts directed at ecofriendly and quality products are paying off with a number of international recognitions. These include the company winning the world's first ISO 14001 certificate for environmental management systems in addition to the quality management ISO 9002, the food safety and superior quality SQF2000, and one in organic agriculture.
With an aim to be reborn as a food supplier that cares for the health of consumers, Dole Korea has been carrying out the Healthy 5 Colors Campaign since 2004 to promote the consumption of vegetables and fruit of five different colors five times a day. As part of this campaign, Dole Korea regularly visits kindergartens and elementary schools in Seoul and neighboring regions to hold an event called Children's Cooking Class to correct the bad eating habits of children who are accustomed to fast foods and to promote nutritious balanced diet.
Aside from these, Dole Korea offers opportunities to experience Dole through cooking classes in places where consumers frequently visit, such as department stores, discount chains, and children's theme parks. Also, Dole Korea is actively seeking two-way communication with consumers. It provides information on the Healthy 5 Colors Campaign, culinary menus and recipes, and various fruits on its homepage for easy access by consumers. Only through such ceaseless efforts to get closer to consumers, the company believes, Dole Korea can be rejuvenated as a food supplier of the freshest and highest quality vegetables and fruit that can be trusted by the demanding Korean consumers.
Trusted Company of Korean Consumers in 2007
The selection of Consumers' Most Trusted Companies for 2007 was conducted by the Korea Economic Daily and Korean Customers' Forum. A total of 407 companies of consumer goods and services were reviewed for through various means including the Internet and postcards. In the selection, consumers directly participated in the evaluation on five categories such as the degree of trust on products and services, the trust on safeguarding consumers, and the trust on providing transparent information.
Dole Food Company, Inc. was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Magazine, a national publication dedicated to illuminating the important correlation between ethics and profit. The elite list of companies were recognized for their strong leadership in ethics and compliance, advancement of industry discourse on social and ethical issues, and positive engagement in the communities in which they operate.
"We are honored to receive this designation from Ethisphere Magazine," said David Murdock, chairman and chief executive officer of Dole Food Company. "Dole takes great pride in our corporate ethics and social responsibility. We treat all employees and business associates with dignity and respect. Special attention is given to safeguarding Dole employees' health, providing competitive wages and benefits, honoring collective representation, enhancing and empowering our communities and protecting the environment in which we work and live."
Ethisphere Magazine, the magazine has a circulation of 65,000 global Board members, CEOs, General Counsel, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officers and institutional investors, offers insight to on gaining market share and creating sustainable competitive advantage through ethical business practices and corporate citizenship.
