Timberland Reaffirms Commitment to "Make it better" With its 2006 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Timberland Reaffirms Commitment to "Make it better" With its 2006 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

August 3, 2007

STRATHAM, NH – August 2, 2007 – The Timberland Company today announced the availability of its 2006 Corporate Social Responsibility Report to all stakeholders, industry leaders and consumers. This annual report is an objective and transparent representation of the company’s performance against key social, environmental and human rights initiatives during the 2006 calendar year. The report also features “Voices of Challenge” a dialogue between stakeholders on key CSR issues including global warming, excessive working hours in our factories and nonprofit partnerships.

“Our CSR report demonstrates our commitment to ‘Make it better’ — improving our global business practices and driving positive change within the retail industry,” said Jeffrey Swartz, Timberland’s President and CEO. “That begins with a sincere evaluation of our internal performance, and continues with our effort to help create an engaged community of diverse stakeholders who will drive progress through collaboration and commitment.”

Highlights of the 2006 CSR Report include:

  • Analysis of Timberland’s results against goals set in the 2005 CSR Report for environmental stewardship, global human rights and community involvement.
  • Introduction of the first “Make it better” Brief on Working Hours in factories. This in-depth research paper will serve as a common platform of understanding for ongoing stakeholder discussions. To download the paper, please click here.
  • Formation of a new CSR governing structure within Timberland.
  • Declaration of forward-looking goals to further reduce Timberland’s environmental footprint, guarantee global human rights, and improve the communities where we live and work.
  • Discussion of Timberland’s economic impact on the local communities where it has significant areas of operation.
  • Located throughout the report, “Voices of Challenge” represent the conversations about environmental and social issues taking place around the world by business leaders, engaged consumers and policy makers. “Voices of Challenge” recognizes stakeholders at all levels and provides a forum to share views and ideas. Voices and topics include:

  • Peter Tsai, Department Manager of Pou Yen Vietnam, and Dan Henckle, SVP of Social Responsibility for Gap Inc, on excessive working hours in factories
  • Mindy Lubber, President of CERES, and Jonathan Dorn, Editor-in-Chief of Backpacker, on how far companies should go to stabilize the climate
  • Mitch Landrieu, Lt. Governor of Louisiana, and Majora Carter, Founder of Sustainable South Bronx, on the relationships between companies and nonprofits

    The 2006 CSR report was developed based on the G3 and Apparel and Footwear Sector Supplement (AFSS). Timberland also engaged with Ceres, a national coalition focused on the challenges associated with global climate change, and a team of external stakeholders to formally review the report.

  • Timberland’s 2006 CSR Report is available in PDF format at www.timberland.com/csrreport or in hard copy by emailing [email protected]. For more information about Timberland’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, please visit www.timberland.com. To sign up for Timberland’s Corporate Social Responsibility mailing list, click here.

    About Timberland

    Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland markets products under the Timberland(R), Timberland PRO(R), SmartWool(R), Timberland Boot Company(TM), Mion(R), GoLite(R) , Howies(R) and IPATH(R) brands, all of which offer quality workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature. The company’s products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland(R) retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. Timberland’s dedication to making quality products is matched by the company’s commitment to “doing well and doing good” — forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. To learn more about Timberland, please visit www.timberland.com.