Geneva, 24 May 2005 - WBCSD member companies earned high scores in Fortune's annual list of "The World's Most Admired Companies". Eighteen member companies are featured on the "2005 Global All-Stars" list, and four members (Dell, Toyota, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson) are ranked in the top ten.

In addition, WBCSD member companies dominate the "Social Responsibility: Winners & Losers" list, ranking five member companies - Alcoa, Procter & Gamble, BP, Weyerhaeuser and Johnson & Johnson - among the ten most admired companies.

According to Fortune, "Profits are not all it takes to be admired.(...) Companies also have to demonstrate superior management, industry leadership, technological prowess, and innovativeness. This year's Most Admired Companies stand out in all these areas."

Mel Stark, a vice president of the Hay Group, the management consulting firm that conducted the survey, said that these companies "(..) tend to push the envelope in their industries. They are setting the standard and raising the bar in their markets. "

National Leaders

WBCSD members also head six of the seven "National Leaders" rankings. Britain's BP, France's Suez, and Germany's BASF soared to the top of the national rankings, while Toyota triumphed in Japan. Procter & Gamble held on its No.1 spot in the US.

"We're pleased to have been recognized for our performance,?said Klaus Peter Loebbe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BASF Corporation, BASF抯 North American affiliate. 揟hrough our restructuring initiative, we have dramatically improved our financial results, and have over the course of the past several years made great strides in innovation, customer service and sustainable development.?BASF was also ranked as the number one chemical company.

Industry Lists

The industry list, another part of Fortune's "Most Admired" survey, saw WBCSD members taking the top spot in ten of the thirty industry group rankings..

"It's an honor to be named the most admired company in the industry for the third year in a row," said John Faraci, chairman and chief executive officer of International Paper, the No. 1 company for the Forest and Paper Products sector . "This is recognition for the quality work and dedication of our employees worldwide who produce the paper, packaging and wood products that people depend on every day."

The "Most Admired" survey was conducted by Hay Group, an independent management consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. and London, the global most admired list is based on rankings by senior executives and outside directors in each industry, and financial analysts who are in a position to study and compare the competitors in each field.