Oakwood Worldwide® Announces Award-Winning, Industry-Leading Corporate Social Responsibility Program

LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Oakwood Worldwide^®, the global leader in corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions, is pleased to announce its award-winning, industry-leading corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.  The comprehensive program demonstrates Oakwood Worldwide's long-standing leadership and commitment to CSR within the areas of reducing its environmental footprint, ensuring a sustainable supply chain, keeping its guests and associates safe, practicing high ethical standards, advocating for human rights and giving back to the community.

The program has achieved a Silver-level rating from EcoVadis, the first collaborative platform providing Supplier Sustainability Ratings for global supply chains, placing it in the top 30 percent of all programs evaluated.  Additionally, the Corporate Housing Providers Association recently named Oakwood Worldwide as the recipient of the 2016 Tower of Excellence award for Best Green Progress, which recognizes a company exemplifying environmental responsibility and social performance through their policies, plans and activities.

"Our chairman, founder and CEO, Howard Ruby, has been a huge proponent of environmental conservation and he has been instrumental in making CSR an integral part of the way Oakwood Worldwide does business for many years," said Marina Lubinsky, senior vice president shared services, chief information officer and executive sponsor of CSR, Oakwood Worldwide.  "What's exciting for us is that we have elevated the awareness and focus on these elements, formalizing our efforts and enabling us to better tell our story to our clients, our guests and our associates.  We are incredibly proud to have developed this industry-leading effort."

At the forefront of its CSR program, Oakwood Worldwide is committed to preserving the environment by implementing sustainable business practices across its global network. The company has set specific goals to reduce its energy and water consumption and increase its use of energy efficient processes, appliances and vehicles. In fact, within its managed properties in the U.S., 75 percent of the washing machines have been converted to high-efficiency models, which have collectively reduced water consumption by 38 percent annually. Oakwood Worldwide has also reduced its gas and electric usage by 6 percent and converted 10 percent of its vehicles to hybrids, contributing to a 25 percent annual reduction in fuel consumption.

Renewable, clean energy is also part of Oakwood Worldwide's strategy when considering properties to add to its portfolio.  In any market or circumstance, Oakwood Worldwide will give preference to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) properties and currently manages five buildings globally that carry LEED certifications.

The company is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for not only its associates, but its guests, clients and partners. The company sets quarterly safety performance targets to continually drive improvements, and outlines its safety processes in the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, which is updated annually and available to all associates. To take this one step further, Oakwood Worldwide implemented an industry-leading Duty of Care program which encompasses a comprehensive philosophy and structure addressing key areas of crisis readiness, response and business continuity, so that the company can take a proactive approach to unforeseen issues that may arise.

Oakwood Worldwide believes in giving back to local communities it operates in, as well as those in need around the world, and supports more than 30 non-profit organizations globally.  On a corporate level, the company works with the Foundation of Fighting Blindness to raise funds to help prevent, treat and cure retinal degenerative diseases.  In the U.S., one of the programs it supports includes the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) to support children with deployed parents, provide services for military spouses and aid emergency housing programs. In 2014, Oakwood Worldwide was inducted into the USO-Metro's 2014 Circle of Stars as a corporate donor recognized for its generous funding in support of lifting spirits of military families.  In EMEA, Oakwood Worldwide is a proud sponsor of Refuge, England's largest single provider of specialist domestic violence services.

For more information please visit oakwoodworldwide.com/csr/.

About Oakwood Worldwide^®
Oakwood Worldwide® is the premier provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its well-known brands, Oakwood®, ExecuStay® and Insurance Housing Solutions™. With a presence in all 50 United States and more than 88 countries, the award- winning company provides move-in-ready furnished accommodations to meet the needs of global organizations, individual business travelers, insurance clients and leisure travelers alike. Oakwood Worldwide was founded in and continues to base its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and operates regional headquarters in London, Phoenix and Singapore. For more information, please visit OakwoodWorldwide.com.

Lela Randall
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SOURCE Oakwood Worldwide

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