With consumer interest in socially responsible companies constantly growing,* SC Johnson today releases its 2010 public report which describes the 124-year old company's investments in people, the planet and its own sustainable progress. Titled "Investing in People, Investing for the Planet," the annual public report further details the company's 12-decade legacy and commitment to family values, progress against its environmental objectives and social responsibility efforts around the world. This report marks the privately-held company's 19th year of publicly sharing information about the company's goals, efforts and progress.

"Today's consumers want more information about companies and the products they make," said Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson, the fifth-generation leader of SC Johnson. "We're committed to doing what's right and sharing these details with our consumers is just one way we're working to build consumer trust."

The 2010 public report is a flip-book, divided in half to show the two sides of the company's sustainability strategy. One side focuses on how SC Johnson is investing in people all over the world, while the other focuses on its efforts to protect the environment and improve its products.

Passing Environmental Goals, Driving Forward

The company has been focused on reducing its environmental footprint for decades. The company has set specific goals every five years for the last two decades and is currently working against firm objectives to be achieved by 2011. SC Johnson set goals to reduce waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and utilize alternative renewable energy sources. The 2010 public report details that 75 percent of these environmental objectives have been met**:

• Water and emissions have been reduced by 54 percent
• GHG emissions in the U.S. have been reduced by 29.1 percent***
• GHG emissions worldwide have been reduced 31.6 percent

SC Johnson's patented Greenlist™ process annually increases the proportion of our ingredients with the least impact on the environment and human health. Since 2001, the percent of "best" ingredients in the company's products has increased 14 percent.

In addition, the company hopes to source 40 percent of total electricity usage worldwide from renewable energy by 2011. SC Johnson is close to meeting this goal early – currently, the company sources 39.7 percent of total worldwide electricity usage from renewable sources.

Celebrating 50 Years of Philanthropy, Partnerships and Social Responsibility

Founded in a small Midwestern town, SC Johnson approaches social responsibility and philanthropy with a community-based mindset – a mindset that has helped SC Johnson earn consumer trust and respect and recognition as one of America's most respected companies.* One of the company's primary principles is to make a positive difference in the communities where the it operates. This year, the company celebrated the 50th anniversary of its philanthropic arm, the SC Johnson Fund, Inc., as well as ongoing philanthropy by the company that began decades earlier. Among the ways the company continues to make a difference:

• Continued to invest in worldwide education on malaria, dengue and other insect-borne diseases
• Founding member of Conservation International's Team Earth project
• Formed partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Increased worldwide corporate philanthropic contributions, with the 10-year cumulative reaching nearly $185 million
• Local charities receive approximately two percent of pre-tax profits

About the Public Report

To minimize waste, SC Johnson consciously limited the number of pages within the report and limits printed editions of its Public Report and encourages distribution via the Internet at www.scjohnson.com The report uses paper with postconsumer recycled content at 15 percent, and was manufactured with renewable wind power. The book also uses eco-friendly inks and low-VOC-emitting water-based coatings.

About SC Johnson

SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, and insect control. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, ECHO®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, and MR. MUSCLE®. The 124-year-old company, with more than $8 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com

* According to the annual 2009 Harris Interactive Reputation Quotient (RQ) Study, which measures the reputation of the 60 most visible companies in the U.S. and how consumers feel about those companies.

**Versus the 2000 baseline, as ratio to production

***Versus the 2005 baseline

SOURCE SC Johnson

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http://www.scjohnson.com

As Virginia Tech and Boise State face off Monday night in the first NCAA® college football game broadcast in 3D, LG Electronics USA and Best Buy are joining forces to bring the 3D experience to college football fans at FedExField™.

At the Labor Day game, broadcast by ESPN 3D, fans at the stadium will be able to experience the game in 3D at Best Buy-LG kiosks built around eight 55-inch LG Infinia LX9500 3D HDTVs on the Club Level of the stadium. Fans will experience college football, delivered to the LG screens by DIRECTV, in a whole new dimension. Representatives from Best Buy will be staffing the kiosks to answer questions about the new 3D technology and highlight the world's first Full LED 3D HDTVs.

"There's nothing like experiencing a college football game live, especially when two of the top five ranked teams are playing each other. LG is adding to the experience with 3D viewing at FedExField, providing fans with 'Something Better' during the game," said Jay Vandenbree, senior vice president, sales, LG Electronics USA. "As an NCAA corporate partner, we are proud to partner with Best Buy to showcase this first-ever 3D broadcast of an NCAA college football game."

To help promote 3D for the entire stadium audience, Best Buy and LG are sponsoring a special fan appreciation event. Between the first and second quarters, one lucky fan will have the opportunity to toss a football to win an LG 3D home entertainment package including an LG Infinia 3D HDTV, LG 3D Blu-ray Disc player and two pairs of LG 3D glasses.  

In addition to being an NCAA Corporate Partner, LG Electronics also is the official HDTV of FedExField, with more than 300 LG LCD screens positioned throughout the stadium.

"Thanks to LG and Best Buy, our Club Level guests will have a special experience at the game, viewing college football in 3D for the first time," said Mitch Gershman, chief marketing officer of the Washington Redskins. "This builds on our alliance with LG Electronics, which is a strong technology partner for the Redskins and FedExField."

The LG LX9500's proprietary Full LED Slim technology elevates picture quality with LED backlighting that supports detailed local dimming for improved contrast and detail, while also allowing for a sleek frame with an ultra-slim .92-inch wide bezel for a virtually borderless look.

Available at Best Buy's Magnolia stores, the set itself measures less than an inch thick at its thinnest point. This state-of-the-art HDTV, which works with the use of active shutter glasses and an emitter built directly into the television, provides deeper black levels, sharper colors and an overall uniform picture quality that typically could not be achieved on an ultra-thin set. With an astonishing 480Hz refresh rate, LED local dimming, 2D THX Certification and its eye-catching super-slim frame, the LX9500 is a stunning display whether the power is on or off.

For more information about LG Electronics, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. LG Electronics USA is an Official Corporate Partner of the NCAA. LG Electronics USA Business Solutions is official technology partner of the Washington Redskins and FedExField. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

For a small percentage of the population, the viewing of stereoscopic 3D video may cause discomfort such as dizziness or nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms, discontinue using the 3D functionality and contact your health care provider. 3D glasses required and sold separately.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA

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http://www.lg.com

One student at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is closer to winning Project UDesign, the first competition in the furniture industry to crowdsource the next generation eco-friendly wing chair consumers can buy.

The competition is sponsored by Cargill's BiOH® polyols business—makers of the soy-based ingredient which replaces a percentage of petroleum in foam used for upholstered furniture cushioning.

Based on evaluations of a panel of industry experts, six semifinalist designs were selected following the students' completion of SCAD's soft furnishings design course this summer. The six designs and related video footage are now displayed on Cargill's Experience BiOH® blog , You Tube channel and its Facebook fan page.

Voting for Project UDesign opens online today and runs through Oct. 19 11:59pm EDT.

The winning student's chair will be announced on Oct. 20. North Carolina-based Century Furniture, a 2009 AHFA SAGE award finalist and Sustainable Furnishings Council member, has pledged to put the new wing chair into production. The company will pay the popular winner of Project UDesign a royalty for each unit of the winning chair design it sells. The winner will also receive a $1,000 award from Cargill's BiOH® polyols business.

"We want to demonstrate to the home furnishings industry and consumer that environmentally friendly products and great design can go hand in hand," said Cargill BiOH business unit leader, Yusuf Wazirzada.

Additional sponsors of Project UDesign include Toray International's brand of Ultrasuede® upholstery covers, which are made using Toray's EcoDesign™ manufacturing process; Century Furniture, and the furniture design department at Savannah College of Art and Design.

The competition culminates at North Carolina's famous High Point Market in October. Designs from the three finalists will be displayed in the Century Furniture showroom in the historic Market Square building during High Point Market, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 16, where Market attendees will also be invited to vote online during their visit to Century's showroom. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, all votes will be tallied, with the SCAD student winner recognized at Market during the WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today) Student Mentoring day.  

About Cargill's BiOH® Polyols:

Cargill's BiOH® polyols business markets renewable-based products to manufacturers of polyurethane foam for use in home furnishings and other consumer products. Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

About Toray International brand Ultrasuede®

Ultrasuede® is used across a broad range of platforms and in multiple industries, meeting consumers' demand for the use of more ecologically friendly products. Ultrasuede®, together with Toray technology, continues to innovate and develop environmentally sensitive products, with the ongoing goal of improving ecological and social conditions around the world. Launched in 2009, EcoDesign™ products deliver on the promise of the TUA commitment to excellence through environmental responsibility. For more information, visit www.ultrasuede.com.

About Century Furniture

Century Furniture manufactures fine furniture for bedroom, dining room furniture and living room. Since 1947, Century Furniture has strived to be the best furniture company in the world, providing finely crafted luxury furniture with impeccable design, highest quality and legendary service to its customers. Now a third generation, family owned company, Century is located in Hickory, North Carolina and employs more than 900 associates. Each employee is a company stakeholder and their commitment and dedication can be seen in every piece of furniture made. For more information, visit www.centuryfurniture.com.

About SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, offering more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university. SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees in distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers students a choice of degree programs in 46 majors and more than 50 minors at locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Lacoste, France; online through SCAD eLearning; and in Hong Kong beginning this fall. For more information, visit www.scad.edu.

SOURCE Cargill’s BiOH Polyols

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.ultrasuede.com
http://www.centuryfurniture.com
http://www.scad.edu
http://www.cargill.com

Actis, the global emerging markets private equity specialist, has invested US$58m in Companhia Sulamericana de Distribuicao ('CSD'), the operator of Brazilian supermarket chains Sao Francisco and Cidade Cancao. CSD is one of the three major supermarket retailers in Parana state, and is among the top 25 supermarket operators in Brazil. The investment marks Actis's first Brazilian investment to date.

With the new capital injection, CSD will implement an expansion plan based on the opening of new stores in the states of Parana, and Mato Grosso do Sul. Actis will hold a significant minority stake, working in partnership with the founding families of Sao Francisco and Cidade Cancao, Nogaroli and Cardoso, who have successfully grown their businesses over the last 30 years.

CSD Chairman, Jefferson Nogaroli said, "Actis's emerging market focus, experience in the food retail sector, and long term investment approach were essential factors in our decision to partner with them. Our goal with this partnership is to drive CSD to the front line of innovation in food retail in Brazil, offering the best to our customers, with new stores, products and services."

The objective is to double CSD's store footprint over the next three to five years. This accelerated growth is expected to create more than 3,000 new jobs in the region. Two new stores will be inaugurated by the end of 2010 in the cities of Arapongas and Umuarama. CEO, Carlos Tavares Cardoso commented, "Our current and future customers can now count on an even broader supply of quality products and services, aligned with the concept of modern retail adopted by Cidade Cancao and Sao Francisco".

Paul Fletcher, Senior Partner at Actis, said, "Our investment in CSD represents an important milestone for Actis and reflects our commitment to the emerging market consumer story in Latin America. This is a highly auspicious time for Brazil with rising income and increasing access to credit; over 20 million Brazilians have entered the middle class over the last 5 years."

Patrick Ledoux, co-head of Actis in Latin America, said, "The story of the Nogaroli and Cardoso families is one of success and entrepreneurship; our confidence in their management skills was fundamental to our choice of CSD as Actis's first investment in Brazil." He adds that Actis will actively assist CSD in this new phase of growth with its local knowledge and deep experience in retail investments in other emerging markets.

About Actis

Actis is a leading private equity investor in emerging markets with a growing portfolio of investments in Asia, Africa and Latin America; it currently has US$4.8bn funds under management. Actis has over 100 investment professionals on the ground in 9 offices worldwide.

Actis is committed to promoting the sustainable growth of the private sector in the emerging markets. Its aim is to ensure that the capital it raises and manages makes a lasting, tangible and positive difference, by creating opportunity both for the companies in which it invests, as well as their stakeholders.

http://www.act.is

About Companhia Sulamericana de Distribuicao (CSD)

CSD operates the supermarket chains Cidade Cancao and Sao Francisco. With headquarters in Maringa, Brazil, CSD has 28 stores in 11 cities in the states of Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul. Jefferson Nogaroli is CSD's chairman, and Carlos Tavares Cardoso is the Chief Executive Officer.

The states of Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul are located in the northern part of the south of Brazil: close to the states of Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina, and also to Argentina and Paraguay.

    For further information please contact:

    Sao Paulo, Brazil:
    Vanessa Godoy
    Printec Comunicacao
    +55-11-5182-1806
    vanessa.godoy@printeccomunicacao.com.br

    London, UK:
    Claire Davies
    Actis
    +44(0)207-234-5115
    cdavies@act.is

SOURCE Actis LLP

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TORONTO, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ - Yogen Früz, the world's leading frozen yogurt conglomerate, announced today the signing of the Master Franchisee for the United Arab Emirates region and the grand opening of its first UAE locations in Dubai and Kuwait, with five more Dubai locations opening soon. To celebrate the openings of multiple UAE locations, Yogen Früz will treat customers to special promotions including 2-for-1 frozen yogurts and 10% of for the employees of the malls where the Yogen Früz stores are located.

"We are thrilled to have signed the master franchisee, Arcology Investments, for the United Arab Emirates territory and to launch Yogen Früz in this thriving region. The opening of the five United Arab Emirates Yogen Früz locations marks a very exciting time for us as we hope to continue to grow and provide people world-wide with a great tasting, healthy and fresh alternative to fast food. We are confident Yogen Früz is going to be hugely popular in the UAE," says Aaron Serruya, President of Yogen Früz.

"We are excited to open the new locations and offer local customers a delicious and refreshing treat option that the UAE market is currently lacking," explains Arcology Investments, Master Franchisee of the UAE.

Yogen Früz is available as low-fat, non-fat and no-sugar-added flavors, which can be custom blended with a large assortment of fresh fruit right in front of the customer and topped with a variety of fresh fruit and/or sweet crunchy toppings in a cup or blended into a nutritious fat-free, ice-free dairy or non-dairy smoothie. Yogen Früz adds one billion viable probiotic cultures to each serving of healthy yogurt. Probiotics have been shown to help with healthy digestion, immune system support, better mineral absorption and assist with lactose intolerance.

Whether someone wants to change their lifestyle and become a healthier individual or just enjoy a tasty frozen dessert or nutritious smoothie, Yogen Früz offers more than just a delicious treat; each bite provides the body with essential vitamins to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. With its added assortment of NÜmixes, Yogen Früz maintains its position as an industry leader, consistently creating innovative ways to enjoy frozen yogurt.

    Yogen Früz store locations:          Ibn Battuta Mall
                                         Mirdif City Center

    Yogen Früz store hours of operation: 10:00am - 10:00pm, Sunday - Thursday
                                         10:00am - 1:00am, Friday & Saturday

For more information please visit: www.yogenfruz.com

    About Yogen Früz
    ----------------

Yogen Früz, a world leader in the frozen dessert category, with over 1,200 locations operating in over 25 countries around the world. Yogen Früz pioneered the frozen dessert/snack business when it opened its first store in 1986. Today, with its new assortment of proprietary probiotic frozen yogurt and its dairy and non-dairy smoothies, it continues its strong tradition of market innovation and leadership. Yogen Früz provides customers with a healthy alternative to fast food that's great tasting and nutritious making it a great product for today's healthy and active lifestyle.

SOURCE Yogen Fruz

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