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Gildan Makes DJSI World Index for Fifth Consecutive Year

September 29, 2017

Gildan Activewear Inc., Montreal, recently announced it has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World Index) for the fifth consecutive year, and the DJSI North American Index for the second consecutive year.

Gildan is the only North American company in the textiles, apparel and luxury goods industry group listed in the DJSI World Index.

“We take great pride in our inclusion in the DJSI indices, which is a testimony to our ongoing commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably,” says Glenn Chamandy, president and CEO, Gildan. “We are focused on our vision of making apparel better and leveraging our vertically integrated business model, wherein we own and operate our manufacturing facilities and directly control almost all aspects of the process, allowing us to positively influence our impacts and how our products are made.”

In 2016, Gildan effectively reduced energy usage intensity by 10%, mainly through the use of high-efficiency steam-absorption chillers that harness geothermal energy from BioMass steam systems to generate air conditioning for its facilities. Additionally, its renewable-energy sources helped avoid more than 155,000 tons of its GHG emissions primarily through its highly efficient BioMass systems, which burn agricultural and manufacturing waste to generate steam for Gildan’s textile facilities.


This past year, another important waste-management milestone was achieved, as the company recycled or repurposed 86% of its total company waste.

In addition to comprehensive benefits packages, including free or subsidized meals and transportation, Gildan’s employees benefitted from more than 800,000 hours of training in 2016, which included environment, health and safety, professional development, and academic and technical training. Gildan also supports its employees in many of the regions where it operates with various healthcare initiatives, providing free access to on-site, fully-equipped medical clinics focused on frontline healthcare, workplace-related health issues and additional services such as prenatal care and vaccinations. In 2016, more than 178,000 medical consultations were provided free of charge to Gildan employees. — J.L.


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