Company Profiles

Mitsubishi Electric

Japan

Mitsubishi Electric is one of Japan's largest producers of industrial and consumer electronics. The product range is diverse and includes home appliances, electrical equipment for railway lines, and industrial robots. The company utilizes a design-for-environment program and has a three-pronged strategy for developing more sustainable products: material solutions, energy solutions, and toxicity solutions. In materials, the focus is on efficient use of resources through closed-loop recycling of products. In energy, the focus is on continual improvement in energy efficiency across the company's product range, as well environmentally beneficial products such as solar photovoltaic energy systems, high efficiency motors, and fuel cells. In dealing with toxicity, the company is analyzing and removing potentially harmful substances from its products. Tachi Kiuchi, past Managing Director of Mitsubishi Electric, was successful in developing a new business approach for the company that integrates environmental sustainability. Kiuchi has said, "Our products must not harm [the earth]" and he sees The Natural Step as an integral part of the organization's corporate philosophy. Current CEO Tamotsu Nomakuchi continues to drive the development of environmentally conscious products as the greatest contribution Mitsubishi Electric can make toward achieving a sustainable society. Portfolio 21 has asked Mitsubishi Electric to improve its annual reporting by providing detailed trend data for its metrics.

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 12/30/07 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.