Global manufacturing giant Milliken & Company has earned a spot on Ethisphere’s 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies, marking its 20th consecutive year in the list.
According to the company, the milestone reflects its long-term commitment to ethical business practices throughout its governance, culture, and daily operations. Milliken is one of only six companies to be recognised every year since the program began in 2007.
“Earning recognition as a World’s Most Ethical Company for twenty consecutive years reflects something deeply ingrained at Milliken,” said Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken & Company. “That kind of consistency does not happen by chance, and it’s not because of a single policy or leader. It is built over time through a culture that encourages everyone across the organisation to make the right choices day after day, even when no one is watching.”
In its announcement, Milliken said its ethics and compliance program rests on three main pillars: formal governance, documented standards, and continuous oversight.
“Ethics and compliance are integrated into enterprise risk management and reinforced through ongoing training, leadership accountability, and reporting mechanisms that encourage associates to speak up,” the company said.
The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment uses Ethisphere’s Ethics Quotient, which evaluates a company across governance, ethics and compliance, culture, environmental and social impact, and value?chain practices.
To earn recognition in the assessment, companies must submit comprehensive evidence that verifies their ethical frameworks. Ethisphere requires thorough documentation showing how organisations implement and maintain their ethical policies, operational programs, and business practices in real-world settings.
“Being recognised as a World’s Most Ethical Company does not suggest the work is complete,” said Kasel Knight, executive vice president, chief legal officer, and head of sustainability at Milliken. “It reinforces the importance of maintaining strong systems, remaining transparent, and continuing to evolve as expectations and risks change.”
