All ethical profiles

Founded in 1988, Brisbane-based ABC Learning Centres operates child care centres in all major and regional areas throughout Australia and New Zealand with a growing number of CBD, commercial and corporate developments. In 2006 and 2007 the Company acquired significant numbers of child care centres in the US and the UK. The number of child care centres managed world wide by ABC Learning Centres is estimated to be over 2300 by the end of the 2007 financial year. Key elements in the company’s growth have been its ability to consolidate a highly fragmented industry, extracting significant economies of scale by spreading compliance and administration costs over a larger number of participants. While some investors have raised concerns that the company’s success is exacerbating the trend toward privatised child care, Australian Ethical believes the ABC Learning Centres business plan reduces administration costs per child, allowing staff more time and resources for the children in their care.

Last updated: 23/05/08

Accell Group's bicycle brands have been sold in Europe for over 100 years. The company’s sales are focussed in the European market. Accell brands cater to a broad range of consumer needs, including children’s bikes, racing and mountain bikes and bikes designed for use in European cities. The company also generates a small percentage of revenue from the manufacture of fitness and gymnasium equipment.

Last Updated: 23/05/08

Banks from the 'second tier':
Adelaide Bank Ltd, Bank of Queensland Ltd, Bendigo Bank Ltd, St George Bank Ltd

These banks were chosen for the high proportion of their loans portfolio in home loans, and for community banking initiatives.

Last updated: 17/02/2005

Adobe is one of the world’s leading providers of software for creating, managing and delivering digital content. The company’s Portable Document Format has become the de facto standard for sharing documents and other content through the internet and across computer networks, regardless of platform or device. By developing a format that allows easy sharing of electronic documents, Adobe’s activities reduce paper wastage. The company maintains an active community involvement program, with over USD $25.4 million in cash grants and product donations going to a range of community organisations in 2007.

Last Updated: 15/07/08

Italian-based Amplifon is a world leader in the provision of services for the hearing impaired.  The company provides a range of hearing-aid related services including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance and repair.  Approximately 10% of the population experiences hearing problems.  While this applies mainly to the elderly, excessive noise pollution contributes to a higher incidence among younger people.  Currently only one out of five people needing a hearing aid actually uses one.

Last updated: 07/09/07

Ansell manufactures safety-focussed products in three main areas: professional healthcare, including gloves for surgeons; occupational healthcare, including industrial hand protection; and consumer healthcare, including condoms and household gloves. Ansell’s Value Proposition program involves the company providing direct consultancy services to industrial clients, including training in hand injury prevention, in addition to simply selling gloves. Whilst some might regard the manufacture of condoms as a concern, it is AEI’s view that given the importance of this product line in terms of family planning and individual health, condom manufacture is a positive under the AEI Charter.

Last updated: 23/05/08

The Australian Pipeline Trust was created in 2000 after AGL floated its pipeline interests. It is the nation’s largest listed gas pipeline trust with interests in around 12,000km of gas transmission infrastructure and 21,400km of gas distribution networks which brings gas from its source to consumers.

Last updated: 23/05/08

Arriva plc is a leading European transport services organisation, operating a fleet of nearly 13,000 vehicles and employing nearly 33,000 people. The Group reduces the environmental impact of operations by using a range of fuels, including ultra low sulphur diesel and compressed natural gas. The company delivers around one billion passenger journeys across eight European countries annually.

Last updated: 12/10/06