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©Copyright 2012 B Lab. All rights reservedAbout South Mountain Company
South Mountain Company is an employee owned design build and renewable energy company on Martha's Vineyard. The company plans and develops residential and commercial buildings (and small neighborhoods) for its community. It also designs and installs solar & wind energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. High-quality affordable housing is an essential part of its practice.
We became a B Corporation to support the organization's good work and to align ourselves with the fine work of so many other good companies.
South Mountain Company is about collaboration. It's not about somebody, it's about everybody: the company's co-owners, employees, clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and community. We are all aware that South Mountain couldn't do what it does alone; it is dependent on the good will, great craftsmanship, and shared ideas of a large cast of characters.
The Change We Seek®
South Mountain's mission is to enrich its community and its region through its work.
• Ownership is not a requirement. Neither is it a right. It is a privilege to be enjoyed by those for whom it is appropriate and desirable. The requirements for ownership are a minimum employment of 5 years and 7500 hours of work. Ownership is inextricably tied to employment; when an employee leaves South Mountain Company he or she sells her share back to the corporation.
• The owner-employees are also the Board of directors of the company. Only employees may serve on the Board. Our governance may sound as if it is not independent, but their involvement allows the people who know the company best (the employees) to make the decisions and hold South Mountain Company accountable to the highest degree.
• The company uses a variety of "greenbuilding" strategies to help it minimize environmental impact in its buildings and landscapes. It incorporates renewable energy production (solar and wind) whenever it can. South Mountain minimizes the amount of square footage needed, sources its materials from local suppliers, seeks out recycled and sustainable materials, and incorporates many other low-impact strategies into its standard process for construction.
South Mountain Company, Inc.
- Product/Services: Residential Design/Build + Renewable Energy
- Location: West Tisbury, MA
- http://www.southmountain.com
Summary:
Certified: June 2008| Points Earned | % Points Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability » | 12.9 | 86% |
| Employees » | 57.5 | 82% |
| Consumers » | 32.8 | 55% |
| Community » | 25.3 | 58% |
| Environment » | 13.7 | 69% |
| Composite B Score | 142.2 |
- >80 out of 200 is eligible for certification
- >60% points available = Area of excellence
Highlights:
From B Impact AssessmentEnvironment: 100% LEED certified facilities, >25% of office supplies come from recycled materials, >50% of energy comes from renewable sources, 22,000 lbs CO2 offset
Employees: 100% of employees reimbursed for continuing education, All employees paid a living wage, 100% individual/family health insurance premiums covered
Community: >50% of ownership in same community as 2/3 of workforce, >50% of employees take time off for community service, >60% of expenditures directed toward local suppliers, >50% of customers local, >10% of suppliers located in low-income communities, >10% of net profits given to charitable organizations
Videos
• John Abrams, The Company We Keep Go»
• John Abrams Keynote Address at Bioneers by the Bay 2008 Go»
Images
• South Mountain Company Portfolio Go»
History
• Company History Go»
• About Martha's Vineyard Go»
• Employee Ownership Plans Go»
News
• John Abrams' Perspective Feature Go»
• South Mountain Company Press Page Go»
Books
• Companies We Keep by John Abrams Go»