Energy-Efficient Products and Global Principles for Ethics, Human Resources, Operations and Environmental Practices Are the Basis for $1 Billion Revenue Goal

CLEVELAND …Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation will showcase its sustainability-focused growth strategy in China in a panel discussion on Friday, Oct. 29, at the Net Impact Conference at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The title of the 18th Annual Net Impact Conference is 2020: Vision for a Sustainable Decade. The conference is Oct. 28-30.

Sustainability is the basis of the successful China growth strategy at Eaton, a 99-year-old industrial power management company, according to Jim McGill, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. He was president of Eaton’s Asia Pacific region from 2006 to 2009.  McGill will lead a panel discussion about Eaton’s “Sustainability-Focused Growth Strategy in China” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. 

Eaton is expected to generate revenues of more than $1 billion in China this year in its electrical and industrial sector businesses and has continued to receive sustainability-related recognition and awards in the country. Eaton has 27 facilities that serve the fast-growing Chinese market.  The company has one set of global standards and practices for ethics, human resources, operations and environmental programs and products.

“At Eaton we are committed to ‘doing business right,’ and using the key elements of sustainability is essential to how we create value for customers, communities and employees,” McGill said.  He added that the company was pleased that Newsweek this month reported that Eaton Corporation ranked 16th in the magazine’s Green Rankings out of the 500 largest companies in America.

McGill will begin Eaton’s Net Impact discussion by describing the company’s businesses and their growth strategy to serve the Chinese market. He’ll conclude the dialogue with points about how to determine if a company is sustainable-focused and values-based. The other Eaton panelists include Monica Alston, director of environment, health and safety; Carlos Berger, manager, global business development and marketing for Hybrid Power Systems; and Vivian Xiao, manager, China communications.

Additionally, McGill will join executives of Microsoft, Talbots and FedEx as panelists in a Featured Session: “Global Approaches to Corporate Responsibility,” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29.

Net Impact is a global organization of students and professionals using business to improve the world. The group offers a portfolio of programs and initiatives to educate, equip and inspire more than 20,000 members to make a tangible difference through business. Spanning six continents, Net Impact membership includes current and emerging leaders in corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, international development and environmental sustainability. The Net Impact network includes more than 260 volunteer-led chapters in cities throughout the world and a central office in San Francisco, Calif.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.