• Xavier Simonet
    Xavier Simonet
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Outdoor brand Kathmandu has become the largest certified B Corp in Australia and New Zealand. 

The brand has become the first publicly listed B Corp in New Zealand and is the first outdoor and equipment retailer in both Australia and New Zealand to become part of the B Corp movement. 

The intensive B Corp assessment judges business' performance based on its governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment, with the underlying goal to use business profits as a force for good. 

Kathmandu has been using sustainable practices for over 30 years and under three pillars of; worker wellbeing; responsible materials; and, environmental impact, Kathmandu has had a positive impact on the planet, its employees and communities. 

During its certification, Kathmandu received high scores in in the Workers, Environment and Community sections, a testament to its efforts. 

Kathmandu CEO Xavier Simonet said that sustainable practices are integral to the business' operations. 

"The B Corp certification is a milestone achievement for the company and reflects Kathmandu’s exceptional record in sustainability leadership which has been fundamental to our success. 

"Sustainability is part of Kathmandu’s DNA and is integral to our entire operation, from our supply chain, to our materials and products and our operational footprint," he said. 

B Lab – the non-profit which created the B Corp certification – ANZ CEO Andrew Davies said that Kathmandu sets a great example for other businesses to follow. 

"Kathmandu's announcement as New Zealand's first B Corp-certified multinational retail business, and Australasia’s biggest B Corp, is a significant milestone for Australia, New Zealand and the wider B Corp movement. 

"Certification is open to all sizes of business, and we are seeing increasing interest from large corporations across the world, Kathmandu's certification sends an important signal for other big businesses to follow in their lead," he said. 

Globally, there are more than 3000 companies that have become B Corp certified. Per capita Australia and New Zealand are growing B Corps faster than any other region, with nearly 300 B Corps in the region. 

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