The results of the study show which companies use their resources most efficiently: For example, in 2004, the automotive supplier Bosch generated a Sustainable Value of € 10.4 billion. This figure represents the excess return that Bosch created with its resources compared to the German national economy on average. Henkel, a consumer goods company, is another interesting example: In 2004, Henkel generated € 1.70 of value added out of a set of resources that would only have created € 1 of value added in the German economy on average.
To extend the explanatory power of the results of the survey we are using different benchmarks. We compare companies not only to the German national economy as a benchmark but we also take into account political targets of the German government with respect to economic growth, employment and sustainability for the year 2010. In addition, some companies were analysed with a sector benchmark. Results show that a top position within such a best-in-class assessment is not necessarily sufficient for a positive sustainability performance from a societal point of view.