Amcham awards go green

The American Chamber of Commerce in Poland (AmCham) handed out its yearly awards at its annual meeting on December 10, the sixth year it has done so. This year was special however, in that AmCham gave out awards for ecologically friendly business practices, as part of its "Green Year" initiative.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation received the Investor of the Year honors, while Focus Research Polska was named Entrepreneur of the Year and Boeing Central and Eastern Europe earned the Corporate Social Responsibility Award.

"This year the choice was exceptionally difficult. We received far more entries than in previous years," said Roman Rewald, AmCham's chairman. "This makes us very happy. It shows the growing activity of American firms in Poland."

For the environment-friendly business awards, car-fleet management and leasing firm LeasePlan Fleet Management won in the category of Green Fleet, Telesto won in the Green Product category for its environmentally friendly fire-extinguishing mist systems, and testing and certifications solutions provider, UL International Polska, won the Green Office award.

Special recognition for corporate social responsibility (CSR) was also given to McDonald's Polska and Sodexho Polska.

Rewald said that these firms had "brought attention to their integrated and long-term CSR activities. We were impressed with their determination and persistence in responsible business activities."

The Investor of the Year, Sikorsky Aircraft, produces planes and helicopters. In 2007 the company took over Polish firm PZL Mielec, which is currently involved in the production of Sikorsky's S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. Focus Research specializes in market research and IT services consulting, while Boeing Central and Eastern Europe is the regional office of the eponymous global leader in the aerospace sector.