Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO) is an international manufacturer and a marketer of transportation fuels, other petrochemical products, and power. Valero retails gasoline branded as Valero, Shamrock, Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar, Beacon, and Total. The company ranks No. 13 on the current Fortune 500 list, and is still based in its hometown of San Antonio.
Valero Energy Corporation was created on January 1, 1980, as a spinoff of Coastal States Gas Corporation. It is named for the mission San Antonio de Valero – the original name of the Alamo. Today the company owns and operates 16 refineries throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and the Caribbean with a combined capacity of approximately 3 million barrels per day. Valero subsidiaries employ approximately 10,000 people, and assets include 15 petroleum refineries, 11 ethanol plants, and a 50-megawatt wind farm.
A common thread among our Shining Light Companies is putting people first and treating them and their communities with the highest regard. Valero is committed to the guiding principles of safety, environment, communities, employees, and stakeholders.
Valero considers safety it’s foundation for success and the most important measure of that lies in the health and safety of its employees, contractors, customers and neighbors. Valero’s occupational health and safety program is successful because it is developed, supported and carried out by all employees –from executive management down to the newest hire.
Environmental stewardship is a core value at Valero. They produce environmentally clean products and are committed stewards of the environment. They have spent more than $2.7 billion on environmental upgrades at their refineries over the past eight years, significantly reducing emissions. They also became the first traditional refiner to enter large-scale production of ethanol, a renewable fuel, and wind-powered turbines were built to power a refinery and reduce Valero’s carbon footprint.
Being a good operator also means being a good neighbor. For the second year, Valero made the list of America’s 50 most community-minded major companies – The Civic 50. The company raised $10.4 million for children’s charities across the United States in 2015 through the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children. The contribution is among the largest charity gifts on the PGA TOUR. Since Valero became the title sponsor of the event in 2002, and through 2015, it has raised $100.9 million. Click here for more information about the Valero Benefit for Children. Valero Energy Foundation annually contributes $13 million to $20 million to improve the lives of those who live in or near the communities where Valero has major operations. Employees log more than 130,000 volunteer hours each year for hundreds of community projects and they are strong supporters of food banks in their communities, having collected approximately 400,000 pounds of food for the San Antonio Food Bank. Valero Volunteers also have built numerous Habitat for Humanity homes throughout Valero’s communities.
Many military organizations are supported by the company and for the past 10 years, on Thanksgiving Day members of the U.S. military are treated to a traditional holiday meal at company headquarters, while Valero Volunteers and their families serve food and entertain them as guests.
Valero recognizes that stakeholders are their partners to whom they pledge to deliver operational excellence, disciplined management of capital and long-term value creation. Valero has been recognized as a top-performing public company and honored as an industry leader. Thanks to its employees, Valero’s list of awards and honors is long and growing every year. Some of their accolades include Fortune magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, Forbes’ “America’s Most Reputable Companies” list and Valero was included on Forbes’ first-ever “500 Best Employers” list, based on surveys of 20,000 employees of various companies.
Over the past thirty-six years Valero Energy Corporation has earned success through doing business with integrity and respect and living out solid core values. In turn, they have chosen to spread the wealth through their generous philanthropy and community support. For this, we are proud to name Valero as a Shining Light Company!
DISCLOSURE: Shining Light Companies are exemplary companies who live out the Golden Rule in their business practices, demonstrate strong servant leadership and create compelling value through the products and services they offer. This is intended for general information purposes concerning only the values, corporate culture and business practices of the companies being spotlighted. It DOES NOT incorporate any analysis of the companies’ investment merit based on intrinsic value, fundamental analysis, etc. This must not be construed as investment advice or a buy/sell recommendation. These companies may or may not be included in our LightPoint Portfolios at any given time.