Although this letter marks the introduction to our first official Kimball Sustainability Report, it certainly does not mark the beginning of our collective efforts to embody our social responsibility as a good corporate citizen. We have been living our vision daily as a good corporate citizen.
Over the last 59 years, Kimball has proudly been ahead of its time in many actions we have taken to protect the safety and well being of our employees, to improve the quality of life in our operating communities, and to promote the responsible use and preservation of our natural resources. We understand that everything we do, every action we take, has a consequence.
Since our earliest days as a company, our culture, beliefs and values have been focused on responsibility and what is today widely referred to as sustainability. We see it as living our vision.
Because our company was established in a small town, and as it grew, expanded operations into a number of other small towns, we have always had a special understanding of what social responsibility means. Because we live and work in our same communities, it was always just as important to Kimball as to our neighbors that we not pollute our air or water, that we treat everyone with respect, and that we try to contribute to the local quality of life.
We are very proud of our company record over the past nearly six decades. Our actions and practices have been guided by our founding principles. We remain committed to living those guiding principles as we grow in the coming decades. Our reputation of integrity, corporate governance and a strong ethical culture were built on this commitment.
The information contained in this report is an attempt to highlight who we are as a company, who we are when we are at our best, and how we are attempting to live our vision.
However, the information presented here is merely a snapshot taken along our journey; it does not represent the arrival at a destination or the completion of a mission. Our view, our vision, is that we are on a never ending path toward continuous improvement in all aspects of our operation and in all impacts we have on this planet and its people.
We believe that living our Company Guiding Principles is the key to our corporate social responsibility actions. Each Kimball International business unit has flexibility to execute their social responsibility and do so through officially designated causes and from grass-roots, employee-led efforts.
Although Kimball operations are spread across the United States and around the world, our values are the same. Our people are diverse, but still embrace these universal values.
We are proud to say that Kimball International is a responsible steward of both economic and environmental resources, and because of that, our communities truly benefit from the Company's presence, contributions and actions.
As previously stated, this report is just a moment along our journey. As we continue our company pursuit of continuous improvement, we will also continue to support and encourage our employees to get involved, to make a difference in the world, as we all continue to live our vision.
James C. Thyen,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Douglas A. Habig,
Chairman of the Board