A Message from the CEO

Clearly, companies succeed or fail based on their ability to profitably sell goods and services. The strength of our business after 143 years is a testament to our people, our brands and our infrastructure that have made us one of the world’s most successful consumer products companies. But companies have a responsibility to do more than make money. They have a responsibility to make their communities stronger, to provide a dynamic workplace for their associates, and to help make the planet a better place to live.

We take each of these roles seriously.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2018, we know that reaching this milestone will be due in large part to our associates. We want to build upon our market leadership in the lawn and garden industry, which means developing a talented, competitive and engaged workforce. That's why we invest in training and performance management tools to help them grow their careers with us. And their well-being is why we offer innovative safety and wellness programs.
 
For us, a major part of being a good corporate citizen is also about protecting the environment.

The very nature of our business at ScottsMiracle-Gro is about enhancing the environment – a responsibility that originated when the company was founded in 1868 and has become even stronger throughout our history. Today, our organization remains focused on ensuring that our commitment to the environment is evident in our products and services, consumer communications as well as the way we operate our facilities.

We are proud that our consumers trust our products and services to enrich the earth, beautify their surroundings, create diverse habitats and help them connect with the outdoors. We are honored that our consumers look to us for products and services that help them succeed and return benefits to the environment.

Consumers also expect from us information about how they can take care of their lawns and landscaping with the environment in mind. We believe it is our responsibility to provide education about the best lawn and gardening practices to protect water quality, conserve water, enrich the soil and support plant and wildlife diversity. Through our consumer communication channels and public outreach, we will continue to give consumers our best stewardship advice and counseling.

Our responsibilities go beyond our products and services. We also are committed to reducing our environmental footprint. We will strive to reduce energy consumption, while also exploring the feasibility of renewable energy sources. Our focus is also on significantly reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills by maximizing the recycling and composting services in our various geographies.

Our involvement in the community is another key responsibility. Because we know first hand the importance of gardening and green spaces and their benefits to communities and one's personal well-being, we are a leader of community gardening and outdoor engagement. Our goal is to support the creation of at least 1,000 community gardens and green spaces in the next few years.

Our corporate responsibility is squarely based on our corporate governance – a system of people, policies and training that guide and monitor our actions. There is no higher priority than to ensure that the Company and our associates follow the law and behave according to high ethical standards.

I see examples every day of how we give back to the environment, provide consumers with quality products and services, make a positive difference in our communities, create a dynamic workplace, grow our business and enhance shareholder value. We are serious about our commitments, and I hope you will come back to this site often to see how we are demonstrating our corporate responsibilities.

Jim Hagedorn
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company