We are pleased to present the first-ever Valspar Sustainability Report. While this formal report is a new venture, our sustainability journey has been integral to our success for many years. Valspar enjoys a long history of integrating our economic success with efforts to safeguard human health and the environment and active engagement in making our communities stronger.

In this report, we cover five important aspects of our business: employee safety, community engagement, innovation, operational excellence and governance. Our commitment to continuous improvement in each of these areas relies on understanding what we are doing well and how we can apply those successes throughout our business. We are establishing baselines in each of our locations, evaluating those against other regions and against industry benchmarks, and setting objectives for improvement. We will continue to bring our successes and knowledge in individual regions and operations together to further strengthen Valspar’s sustainability performance worldwide.

These efforts are guided by our cross-functional Sustainability Council. The Sustainability Council meets to assess progress, highlight areas for improvement and make recommendations to senior executives for continuous improvement.

This report marks a significant milepost in that ongoing, important work. Its theme, People Matter, identifies why we undertake this sustainability journey and pursue continuous improvement. The people who work at Valspar innovate to create new products, ensure a safe workplace, minimize Valspar’s impact on the environment and volunteer their talents and time to strengthen the communities in which we operate. These are the people who make Valspar what it is today and build a sustainable future.

Thank you for your interest in our progress and the trust you place in Valspar.

Gary E. Hendrickson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer