Geiger (PPAI 105182, D12) has joined the United Nations Global Compact and has been awarded a gold medal from EcoVadis during a recent sustainability assessment, placing the Lewiston, Maine-headquartered distributor in the top five percent of all companies assessed.

The UN Global Compact aims to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect the planet. Participating organizations commit to doing business responsibly and to discovering opportunities to innovate and solve societal and global challenges. Over 10,000 companies have joined the UN Global Compact since it was launched in 2000.

EcoVadis assesses businesses on the quality of their sustainability practices, intensively rating environmental, social and ethical performance. The mission of EcoVadis is to provide an impartial standard to recognize the accomplishments of sustainable businesses and inform the decision-making of prospective clients. As of 2020, they have assessed the performance and practices of more than 75,000 companies.

Geiger joined the EcoVadis program in 2019 and was awarded a silver medal. Following its assessment in March 2021, the distributor has been awarded for the first time the prestigious gold medal. The recognition is the result of several months of targeted work by the Geiger team looking at improving working practices across key areas including environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Vicky Kinasz, managing director of Geiger’s UK-based team, says, “The evidence submitted each year must show implemented processes and demonstrated results. I am very proud of the team and of how we have worked to improve our operations in these areas since the start. The EcoVadis process has been very good at highlighting improvement areas to focus on and helping to put in place real, tangible actions that make a difference.”

Chris McKee, SVP of sales and marketing, adds, “The combination of being a signatory to the UN Global Compact and the gold level achievement with Ecovadis represents our ongoing commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. We look forward to continuing to support and invest in efforts such as these on behalf of our clients, associates and communities.”