OfficeMax Named Among World's Most Ethical Companies

Leading Ethics Think-Tank Gives OfficeMax Two Ethics Honors for Demonstrated Leadership in Ethical Business Practices

Mar 15, 2012 5:45 AM ET

NAPERVILLE, Ill., March 15, 2012 /3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax® Incorporated (NYSE:OMX), a leader in office supplies, technology and services, today was named one of 2012's World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. Separately, OfficeMax also was honored with the Ethics Inside® Certification (EIC), designated after a rigorous review process also by the Ethisphere Institute.

OfficeMax is one of roughly 140 companies to be named to the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies list. It is also one of only two retail companies – and the only company in the office supply industry – to receive the EIC designation.

"OfficeMax is recognized as one of the ethical leaders in the retail industry," said Robert Leffel, director of Compliance Advisory Services for Corpedia, a licensed Ethisphere Institute credentialing partner. "Highly noteworthy and commendable are OfficeMax's organizational commitment to ethics, integrity and sustainable business practices, evidenced by a strong tone at the top, robust code of conduct and a good compliance program to match. OfficeMax has a well-developed environmental and social responsibility strategy, with excellent sustainability reporting, setting a great example of both depth and transparency."

In bestowing OfficeMax with both ethics honors the Ethisphere Institute also noted the company's in-store recycling programs, focus on sustainable product sourcing, its social accountability audit of suppliers, and its A Day Made Better program benefitting public schools.

"At OfficeMax, one of our most absolute values is integrity. It is the backbone of our relationships and the basis on which we make business decisions," said Ravi Saligram, President and CEO of OfficeMax. "I am proud of this recognition which reflects the dedication of our 29,000 associates worldwide who bring this value to life each day through their commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility."

2012 World's Most Ethical Companies
Through in-depth research and a multi-step analysis, Ethisphere reviewed nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The methodology for the World's Most Ethical Companies includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.

"Each year the competition for World's Most Ethical Companies intensifies as the number of nominations submitted for consideration grows," said Alex Brigham, executive director of Ethisphere. "This year's winners know that a strong ethics program is a key component to a successful business model, and they continue to scrutinize their ethical standards to keep up with an ever-changing regulatory environment."

Ethics Inside® Certification
OfficeMax received the EIC designation for 2012-2013 based on the Ethisphere Institute's review of OfficeMax's ethics and compliance program, culture of ethics, reputation and leadership, corporate citizenship and responsibility initiatives, and governance systems.

About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products. The OfficeMax mission is simple. We help our customers do their best work. The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPress®, technology products and solutions, and furniture to businesses and individual consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and nearly 1,000 stores. Since 2007, OfficeMax Goodworks programs have served communities and schools, contributing more than $14 million in grants and supplies to support teachers and classrooms. To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX. For more information, visit www.officemax.com.

About Ethisphere Institute
The research-based Ethisphere® Institute is a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. Ethisphere Magazine, which publishes the globally recognized World's Most Ethical Companies Ranking™, is the quarterly publication of the Institute. Ethisphere provides the only third-party verifications of compliance programs and ethical cultures that include: Ethics Inside® Certification, Compliance Leader Verification™ and Anti-Corruption Program Verification™. The Institute's premier membership group, the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance™, is a business ethics forum that includes more than 100 leading corporations, universities and institutions that collectively leverage their experience, expertise and innovative ways to address emerging compliance challenges. More information on the Ethisphere Institute, including ranking projects and membership, can be found at http://www.ethisphere.com.

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