Ethics
Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies
Cummins and Ethics
Doing What’s Right is Right
Ethics is an area where business should play a strong leadership role in society. At Cummins, we have developed an ethics position that guides the way we want to do business and the way we want to treat customers, employees, and suppliers.
Following is our ethics position which has been distributed to all employees:
As a Cummins Inc distributor, we wholeheartedly adopt their statement of ethical principles. And as an active member of the Canadian Association of Equipment Distributors, Cummins believes and subscribes to their Code of Ethics that includes the following:
  • The foundation of our Associations integrity and fair dealing. Each member shall conduct their business in a spirit of fairness to all and dedication to high ideals of ethical conduct.
  • Association members do not approve of using any improper or questionable methods of soliciting business or in making false or disparaging statements regarding a competitor’s products, business status or personal matters.
These days there has been considerable publicity regarding business fraud, political scandal, insider trading and just a general lack of regard for the law and ethical business practice. While it is difficult to have rules or policies that covers all possible circumstances, there are some general guidelines that we should all follow in the way we conduct our business:
  1. Do What's Legal.
    Doing what’s legal is a minimum requirement, but it has been so often violated that it bears repeating. As a company, we will not tolerate nor be party to illegal behaviour.
  2. Do What’s Right.
    Doing what’s right means going beyond the base legal requirement. Of course, sometimes people have different opinions about what is and is not right. A simple model to follow is to ask yourself:
    "Are all affected parties aware of what you’re doing and if not, would they approve?"
    If you are questioning a course of action, ask yourself how you would feel if your actions were printed on the front page of the newspaper. This will resolve a lot of potential conflicts.
  3. If In Doubt, Ask.
    If you are uncertain about the possible ethics of a situation, your uncertainty probably tells you something significant and it is likely not appropriate. At the very least, ask someone you respect.
Some of the issues that arise in business are very common and the response should be almost automatic:
"A customer asks you to lie about the mileage on his truck and get a repair covered under warranty."
You don’t do it. Cummins Inc. would not approve and it’s probably illegal.
"Our supplier ships something and forgets to invoice us."
We owe our supplier the money, so bring it to their attention.
Whatever it is, make sure it’s legal, & act as if all affected parties knew all the details.
If in doubt, ask.
Cummins Western Canada
"Quality - Service - Integrity"