Arla Foods has the best image among Danish food companies. This is the opinion of leading executives from the Danish food industry who, in the Danish food magazine Levnedsmiddelbladet’s annual image survey, ranked Arla Foods top in all categories.

Although it also scooped the overall top position last year, Arla Foods was only awarded third place for business ethics and second for its environmental efforts. This year, the Danish business leaders awarded Arla Foods first place in these categories, too. 

The survey’s participants believe, therefore, that Arla Foods has succeeded in turning around its somewhat poor corporate reputation in Denmark. In 2006, Arla Foods came 8th in the survey while the previous year, it was ranked 9th for business ethics and 10th for image. 

”This great result is down to the entire organisation. It’s an acknowledgement that we can all be proud of,” says CEO Peder Tuborgh who also welcomes the fact that Arla Foods has been recognised for its standard of business ethics.

Corporate ethics
”Over the past few years, we have worked hard on our corporate ethics. This clearly shows that when we commit we can achieve results.”

Despite the fact that the food industry’s leaders, and not consumers, awarded Arla Foods the top position, Peder Tuborgh believes that the result shows that Arla Foods is heading in the right direction.

”Although this is a fine acknowledgement from the business community, I also believe that this is a clear indication  that we’re doing things in the right way and that this will spread to other sectors beyond that of the business leaders,” siger Peder Tuborgh.

Arla Foods heads the list:

100 leaders from Danish food companies evaluated Danish food companies within the following seven categories:

1. image
2. product development
3. communication
4. environment ”Arla Foods was praised for its ambitious climate action plan.” 
5. business ethics
6. leadership and quality

Arla Foods came first in all categories.

According to the respondents, Arla Foods is succeeding in running a global business while maintaining focus on developing innovative products. Arla Foods has also improved in terms of accommodating small dairies in Denmark.

The leaders also underlined Arla Foods’ professional approach to communicating with the surrounding world in an open dialogue which has contributed to an improved image.