Company Profiles

Electrolux

Sweden

Electrolux is a leading producer of appliances for kitchen and cleaning. Headquartered in Stockholm, the company uses sustainability as a driver for new product designs. Electrolux produces some of the most water-efficient washing machines and dishwashers in the world and has dominated energy efficiency awards for appliances in Europe. The company's strategy is based on a holistic approach—looking at how both manufacturing and operation of products affect the environment. In the case of water use in household appliances, the company's products are coming close to the lower limit of what is technologically feasible. Electrolux expects that water re-use systems will be the next step in innovative design for water conservation. The company is going beyond legislative requirements in the elimination of hazardous substances from its products; it has a full line of PVC-free products, while also working on the significant challenge of minimizing the use of flame retardants. Electrolux is supportive of progressive legislation, such as EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals). Perhaps one of the greatest contributions Electrolux makes to the business case for sustainability is its 'Green range' metrics. These metrics reveal that the company's green range of products account for a higher proportion of gross profit than they represent in units sold-demonstrating there is green in green.

To the best of our knowledge the above information is accurate and was obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Neither the information presented above nor any opinion expressed shall be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the security. The views expressed are those of portfolio management as of 8/30/07 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.