BASF ranks 17 on list of DiversityInc Top 50 Compa

• Named a Top 50 Company for Diversity for the sixth consecutive year  
• Recognized as a Top Company for Military Veterans, LGBT Employees, and Recruitment

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., May 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the sixth consecutive year, BASF was named one of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc , moving up eight places from 25 in 2017 to 17 in 2018. The DiversityInc Top 50 list recognizes the nation’s top companies for diversity and inclusion management; that excel in areas such as hiring, retaining and promoting women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT and veterans.

"We recognize the power of diversity and inclusion as great for business and indispensable to creating strong teams and work environments,” said Wayne T. Smith, Chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation. “Colleagues – with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experience sets – bring the power of different thinking to find solutions that meet our customers’ needs. This drives innovation and growth, and creates a work environment that brings out the best in our teams."

In addition to the overall ranking, BASF ranked in the Top 15 Companies for Military Veterans based on the company’s strong commitment to hiring veterans, and the support BASF provides through its VETS employee resource group to aid in the transition from the military to corporate work environment. BASF was also ranked on the list of Top 11 Companies for Recruitment, demonstrating diversity in workforce, new hires and the management talent pipeline. Based on the company’s commitment to workplace equality, BASF also ranks as one of the Top Companies for LGBT Employees.

"Events of the past year have demonstrated that decisive ethical leadership is necessary to guide any organization to success," notes Luke Visconti, founder and CEO of DiversityInc. "Successful leaders hold themselves accountable to be culturally competent, a skill that requires constant learning. DiversityInc Top 50 Companies have a metrics-evidenced ability to treat people more fairly than other large companies. They also have a greater-than-average return for their shareholders."

DiversityInc’s extensive annual survey yields an empirically driven ranking based on recruitment, talent development, senior leadership commitment and supplier diversity. This year’s competition was improved by new survey questions, increased emphasis on fairness over chasing numbers and more sophisticated analysis from DiversityInc’s data scientists. More than 2,000 companies participated in this year’s survey.

“BASF is working to fully leverage the power of inclusion,” said Patricia Rossman, Chief Diversity Officer for BASF in North America. “This requires intentional efforts to leverage the power of our diversity to ensure all voices are heard, to ask different questions and find new solutions, and to value and appreciate the differences in our people and translate them into competitive and personal advantages.”

To view the entire Top 50 list, visit https://www.diversityinc.com/top50 or follow the conversation at #DITop50.

About DiversityInc The mission of DiversityInc is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list began in 2001, when many corporations were beginning to understand the business value of diversity-management initiatives. The 2018 Top 50 Companies for Diversity results will be featured on ‪DiversityInc.com and in DiversityInc magazine. DiversityInc is a VA certified veteran-owned business and a USBLN certified business owned by a person with a disability. For more information, visit www.diversityinc.com and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn @DiversityInc.

About BASF BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 18,200 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.9 billion in 2017. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com .

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of €64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com .