Milwaukee Electric Tool receive ISO 14001 certification
Milwaukee Electric Tool becomes first U.S. power tool manufacturer to receive ISO 14001 Certification Stockholm (February 15, 2000) -Atlas Copco is pleased to announce that Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation has become the first U.S. power tool company to achieve ISO 14001 certification for sound environmental practices. This certification verifies that Milwaukee designs, manufactures and services its products in a manner that minimize the impact on the environment through an Environmental Management System (EMS). The ISO 14001 certification validates that Milwaukee operates under the guidelines of its EMS. It applies to the company headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin, as well as manufacturing plants in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Jackson and Kosciusko, Mississippi, Blytheville, Arkansas, and its Distribution Center in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Milwaukee demonstrates sound environmental performance by controlling the impact of its activities, products and services on the environment, and exhibits a strong commitment to continual improvement. Milwaukee's EMS includes strict adherence to environment protection laws, reduced energy and water consumption, pollution prevention and expansion of in-plant recycling of numerous materials. "Milwaukee is continually improving its environmentally conscious policies," said Richard Grove, President & CEO of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. "Our ISO 14001 certification demonstrates, once again, Milwaukee's leadership in the power tool industry. Not only do we provide excellence in quality, performance and value to our customers, but we do so without sacrificing the environment." "We at Milwaukee Electric Tool are very proud of our ISO 14001 certification," said Grove. "We firmly believe in the importance of its implications and in safeguarding the environment. Our environmental efforts embrace product development and production, as well as distribution and recycling - creating added value for our customers. Our parent firm, Atlas Copco, has the worldwide vision to be an environmental pacesetter in its respective business areas." The goal of the Atlas Copco Group is to have all major manufacturing sites certified according to ISO 14001 by the year 2000 and today 51% of the production capacity is certified. Two years ago, the Atlas Copco Electric Tools division received the ISO 14001 certificate for its site in Winnenden, Germany, where it manufactures electric tools. In 1999 the Group's main production unit for compressors, Atlas Copco Airpower, was certified. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, a division within the Atlas Copco Group's Industrial Technique business area, is a leading manufacturer of Heavy-Duty Electric Tools and Accessories. For more information on Milwaukee's ISO 14001 certification, visit the Web site at http://www.mil- electric-tool.com. Atlas Copco is an international group of industrial companies with its head office in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1999, the Group had revenues of SEK 36 billion, with 97 percent of revenues outside Sweden, and over 26,000 employees. Atlas Copco companies develop, manufacture, and market electric and pneumatic tools, compressed air equipment, construction and mining equipment, assembly systems, and offer related service and equipment rental. Additional information about Atlas Copco is available at the Group's web site, www.atlascopco.com, which provides access to current news about the Company. For further information, please contact: Debra Sajkowski, Communications Manager, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Phone +001-262-783-8318, debra_sajkowski@met-elect-tool.com Hans Friberger, Environmental Communication, Atlas Copco Group Phone +46-8-743 95 65, hans.friberger@atlascopco.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/15/20000215BIT00940/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/15/20000215BIT00940/bit0002.pdf