Xylem among top 50 companies recognized for significant social impact

Global water technology company, Xylem , has been included on FORTUNE’s 2018 "Change the World" list, a ranking of 50 companies that have made a significant social impact through their core business strategy. Listed as number 7 in the ranking, Xylem has been recognized for creating tangible social value through its innovative solutions that are helping to solve water challenges across the world.

Patrick Decker, President and CEO of Xylem, said, “At Xylem, we are privileged to operate in an industry where we pioneer innovative approaches and technologies that are not only core to our business, but also have a lasting impact on communities.

We are honored to be recognized by FORTUNE as a company that is driving social impact - a testament to the work of Xylem’s nearly 17,000 colleagues who are committed to making water safer, more accessible and more affordable for people and communities around the world. Our global mission of solving water is rooted in our purpose as an enterprise, which is to create both social and economic value in all that we do.”

Now in its fourth year, FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list ranks companies using factors including measurable social impact, business results, degree of innovation and corporate integration. Notable Xylem initiatives recognized by FORTUNE include the Company’s ongoing work to help strengthen cities’ resilience so they are better equipped to cope with the impact of climate change and natural disasters, and Xylem’s actions to advance smart water solutions. 

The Company’s role in supporting the Thai cave rescue mission was also noted. A team of Xylem engineers worked with the Thai authorities to re-configure the dewatering pumps in place at the cave, increasing pumping capacity by 40 percent and enabling the successful rescue of the young soccer team and their coach.

Over the past year, Xylem has received a number of recognitions for its leadership in sustainability. Forbes and JUST Capital included Xylem in their America’s Most JUST Companies list and Barron’s ranked Xylem in the top 10 on its inaugural list of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies headquartered in the United States. Xylem also received an Engage for Good Gold Halo Award for the Company’s Watermark employee volunteerism efforts.

About Xylem

Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to developing innovative technology solutions to the world’s water challenges. The Company’s products and services move, treat, analyze, monitor and return water to the environment in public utility, industrial, residential and commercial building services settings.

Xylem also provides a leading portfolio of smart metering, network technologies and advanced infrastructure analytics solutions for water, electric and gas utilities. The Company’s more than 16,500 employees bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on identifying comprehensive, sustainable solutions. Headquartered in Rye Brook, New York with 2017 revenue of $4.7 billion, Xylem does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands.

The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of our water-centric business by linking it with the best water transportation of all – that which occurs in nature. For more information, please visit us at www.xylem.com.

FORTUNE “Change the World” list methodology

The Change the World list recognizes companies that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy. Companies with annual revenues of $1 billion or more are prioritized.

Measurable social impact: We consider the reach, nature, and durability of the company's impact on one or more specific societal problems. This category receives extra weight.

Business results: We consider the benefit the socially impactful work brings to the company. Profitability and contribution to shareholder value outweigh benefits to the company's' reputation.

Degree of innovation: We consider how innovative the company's effort is relative to that of others in its industry and whether other companies have followed its example.

Corporate Integration: We consider how integral the initiative is to a company's overall strategy, and how well that strategy is communicated through the ranks and elsewhere.