At Tiffany & Co., our goal is to be the world’s most respected jeweler—respected for the beauty of our designs, the quality of our craftsmanship, the excellence of our customer service and for our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. Our position as a leader in the luxury jewelry market provides us both the opportunity and the responsibility to set an example for the industry and conduct our business in a manner that is consistent with our core beliefs—protection of the environment, respect for human rights and support for the communities in which we do business. Most critically, we believe our commitment in all these areas is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do—a critical component of our continuing success that creates long-term value for our shareholders.
To that end, we work with civil society, local communities, other jewelry retailers and mining companies to develop and support higher standards for responsible mining practices. We believe the communities that host mining activities should receive a fair share of mining’s financial benefits to further their economic and social development. And where precious metals and gemstones are found in places of extraordinary natural and cultural significance, we work to protect those areas from mining for the benefit of future generations.
Our sustainability efforts extend beyond our jewelry. We work continuously to improve the sustainability of our blue boxes, bags and catalogues by increasing the use of recycled content and FSC-certified sources.
We recognize that our employees are central to our success, and we are committed to treating each other with dignity and respect.
We also know that we have a responsibility that extends to our business partners to encourage them to share our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
To support local communities around the world, Tiffany continues a long tradition of supporting charitable organizations. In 2010, we donated nearly 2% of pre-tax earnings to charitable purposes, including contributions to The Tiffany & Co. Foundation’s endowment. I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, established to provide philanthropic support to organizations addressing key issues such as responsible mining, urban parks and the conservation of coral and marine ecosystems.
We are extremely proud of our accomplishments in all of these areas and of our role as a leader in responsible luxury. And we know that there is much work yet to be done. On behalf of Tiffany & Co., I invite you to review the content of this website and learn about our social and environmental challenges and accomplishments.
Michael J. Kowalski
Chairman and CEO
Tiffany & Co.