Survey - Harris Interactive

Contacts:
Jeff Conlin
Interface, Inc.
(630)621-5543
Jeff.Conlin@InterfaceGlobal.com
Stephen Brown
MSL Atlanta for Interface, Inc.
(404) 870-6857
Stephen.Brown@MSLgroup.com
PRESS RELEASE (EMBARGOED UNTIL APRIL 4, 2011)
U.S. Workers Declare Employers’ Dedication to Environment as Important
as Profit When Evaluating a New Workplace, Interface, Inc. Survey Finds
Global Leader in Environmentally Responsible Modular Carpet Polls Workplace Preferences,
Introduces Two of its Own Facilities in New York City and Taicang, China
April 4, 2011 – ATLANTA – A new study on workplace values shows American workers seek employment with
organizations that are both financially successful and mindful about their impact on and commitment to
protecting the environment. A public opinion survey conducted by Harris Interactive National Quorum on behalf of
Interface, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFSIA) reveals that 63 percent of full-time workers believe a company’s impact on the
environment is vital when evaluating a new workplace, and 61 percent say the same about the company’s profit
margin. Meanwhile, an even greater majority—71 percent—value a commitment to sustainability, defined in this
study as ―environmental protection,‖ as an important or very important criteria.
―There is broad recognition that companies that focus on sustainability, or protecting and preserving the
environment, are appealing to American workers,‖ said Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of Interface. ―Profits are
obviously the lifeblood of any company, but what we see here is that employees want their organizations to have
more purpose. These results speak to a lasting trend about the kind of long-term-focused organizations that
employees want to belong to.‖
This telephone study was conducted between February 23 and 27, 2011 among 504 U.S. adults employed
full-time to learn and share opinion for ideals about workplace preferences. The study also revealed gender
disparities in how employees evaluate potential employers. For instance, 78 percent of female employees felt a
company’s impact on the environment was particularly important, while 52 percent of male workers believed the
same. These findings could point to an opportunity for organizations focused on reducing their impacts on the
environment to attract and retain women in leadership positions.
Other results showed the extent to which employees feel engaged with their current companies. National
findings carried an overall optimistic tone despite the still-challenging economic climate, with:
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U.S. Workers Declare Employers’ Dedication to Environment as Important
as Profit When Evaluating a New Workplace, Interface, Inc. Survey Finds
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81 percent of full-time workers saying they are familiar with their company’s mission statement.
84 percent of full-time workers agreeing that the company they work for shares their views on what is
important in life.
64 percent of full-time employees claiming involvement in company initiatives outside the scope of
their everyday responsibilities.
Interface, the worldwide leader in design, production and sales of environmentally responsible modular
carpet, offered the results of its survey in conjunction with recent openings of its new manufacturing facility in
Taicang, China and a new FLOR retail store in the SoHo district of New York City. The study reflected U.S.
workers’ sentiments about business and the environment in both countries with 76 percent of U.S. full-time
workers believing that businesses based in the U.S. are implementing policies that protect and preserve the
environment. On the other hand, only 25 percent of full-time U.S. workers believe the same about businesses
based in China.
Interface Workplace Values in Action: New Factory, New Store
According to Hendrix, Interface’s own workplaces are physical manifestations of company core values and
culture. ―Survey findings underscore the importance of uniting Interface’s workers to a common purpose.
Interface has engaged employees across generations and geographies united by a shared commitment to
sustainability; whether someone is a factory worker in China, a retail store salesperson in SoHo or an engineer in
Georgia, you will see this shared value on display,‖ he said. Hendrix added, ―Interface employs consistent
sustainability goals for workplaces in the United States, China and all over the world.‖
On March 24, Interface opened its newest InterfaceFLOR commercial factory in Taicang, China with a focus
on sustainable design, quality customer service, efficient operations and premium products. The Taicang
manufacturing facility will supply carpet products that have high recycled content—specifically for the greater
China market. Instead of building from the ground up, an existing building was re-furbished and upgraded with
equipment in-line with the same high performance and environmental standards of Interface manufacturing
systems worldwide. The building adheres to the design specifications of the U.S. Green Building Council’s
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC) accreditation program.
Similarly, on March 31, Interface opened a brand new retail store for its FLOR residential products in New
York City’s SoHo neighborhood, establishing a brand presence in one of the most influential design hubs in
the world. The newest FLOR store offers the opportunity to experience the beauty and benefits of the FLOR
design system in an environmentally-progressive retail space. For the new store, designers altered the
existing spaces as little as possible, used locally-sourced labor and materials, as well as energy efficient
lighting throughout. The store promises a ―sensory‖ atmosphere where employees can help customers mix
and match beautiful styles to create a custom rug design.
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U.S. Workers Declare Employers’ Dedication to Environment as Important
as Profit When Evaluating a New Workplace, Interface, Inc. Survey Finds
p. 3
Power of One Workplace Mission
Interface has been a sustainability pioneer since the early 1990s. After having his ―spear in the chest‖
epiphany, Chairman and Founder Ray Anderson altered the direction of the company forever. He changed
Interface from an industrial ―take, make, waste‖ organization to one focused on becoming a sustainable
company, positively affecting the culture of the organization. His original vision has evolved into a mission, one
now called ―Mission Zero ® ,‖ Interface’s aim to eliminate any negative impact its companies may have on the
environment. Today, Interface stands as a leading-edge example of an organization journeying toward
sustainability. Interface also believes that as a shared purpose, Mission Zero has united its workers around the
globe.
―In opening new facilities in both the U.S. and China, Interface is taking into account its overriding global
business objectives aligned with the Mission Zero commitment, which our global employee base lives out on a
daily basis. The findings from the study reinforce the type of restorative influence that we are trying to share
inside and outside of our organization,‖ explained Hendrix.
Survey Methodology
This telephone survey was conducted by Harris Interactive National Quorum within the United States on behalf of Interface,
Inc. between Feb. 23 and 27, 2011 among a nationwide cross-section of 504 U.S. adults who are employed full-time.
Figures for age, sex, race, education, region, number of adults in household, and number of telephone lines were weighted
where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. In theory, with probability samples of this size,
one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results for the overall sample have a sampling error of plus or minus three
percentage points. A full methodology and executive summary of findings is available upon request.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business
acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative
research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs,
energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving
clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of
independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay
ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com or contact
achoksi@harrisinteractive.com.
About Interface, Inc.
Established in 1973, Interface, Inc. (IFSIA) is the worldwide leader in design, production and sales of environmentally
responsible modular carpet, manufactured for the commercial and institutional markets under the InterfaceFLOR ® brand,
and for residential markets as FLOR ® . The company is also a leading designer and manufacturer of commercial broadloom
under the Bentley Prince Street ® brand.
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