Company Profiles

Olympus

Japan

Olympus Corporation produces and distributes optical products, including digital cameras, microscopes, and medical devices. Olympus's strengths lie in the company's efforts to reduce the environmental load of its products during their production and use. Although only approximately 10% of the company's sales are derived from products that meet Olympus's eco-products standards, all of Olympus's products undergo a life-cycle assessment. The company is making significant investments in research and development and has a clear strategy for accelerating the introduction of eco-products. In fact, the company has a goal of generating 80% of its revenues from eco-products, although no timetable is given. Other efforts include analyzing the environmental impacts associated with the delivery of its products, optimizing packaging and logistics, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its manufacturing operations. Portfolio 21 has requested that the company's accounting metrics cover all of its global operations and that Olympus increase its efforts in product take-back and recycling.

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 9/30/08 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.