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At the heart of how we work.

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We live in a rapidly changing world. Our continued success depends on empowered employees who apply principles of human progress to help people improve their lives. Our approach, Principle Based Management™, encourages and equips our people to self-actualize and realize their potential by always improving, learning and innovating.

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Employees at Koch collaborate on glass board

People empowered by principles.

The success of Koch is rooted in the application of proven principles of human progress. The better we’ve understood and applied these principles, such as mutual benefit, comparative advantage and creative destruction, the more we’ve grown by helping others succeed. Principle Based Management™ is the business philosophy and framework developed by Charles Koch that we apply to innovate, improve and transform ourselves and our businesses to create greater value. Our future success depends on continuing to improve our ability to do so.

The principles that guide us.

Our Values, which are derived from principles of human progress, define who we are as an organization. They empower each of us to realize our potential by maximizing our contributions. Each of us has a responsibility to live by them daily. They are essential for the creation of virtuous cycles of mutual benefit.

1

Integrity

1. Integrity

Have the courage to always act with integrity.

2

Stewardship & Compliance

2. Stewardship & Compliance

Act with proper regard for the rights of others, especially regarding safety and the environment. Comply with all laws and regulations. Stop, think and ask.

3

Principled Entrepreneurship™

3. Principled Entrepreneurship™

Create virtuous cycles of mutual benefit by becoming a preferred partner of customers, employees, suppliers, communities and other core constituencies. Continually seek to identify and close the gaps between what you are and what you could be accomplishing if you were fully applying Principle Based Management™.

4

Transformation

4. Transformation

Transform yourself and help the company and others to do the same. Develop the visions, strategies, capabilities, products and services that will enable us to satisfy unmet needs and create superior value.

5

Knowledge

5. Knowledge

Seek and acquire the best knowledge from any and all sources that will enable you to innovate and improve results. Share your knowledge proactively. Provide and solicit challenge consistently and respectfully.

6

Humility

6. Humility

Be humble, intellectually honest and deal with reality constructively. Develop an accurate sense of self-worth based on your strengths, limitations and contributions. Hold yourself and others accountable to these standards.

7

Respect

7. Respect

Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. Include and embrace different perspectives, experiences, aptitudes, knowledge and skills in order to leverage the power of diversity.

8

Self-Actualize

8. Self-Actualize

Be all you can be. Identify, develop and apply your gifts and passions so you can best contribute in ways that are most meaningful to you. Be a lifelong learner.

Charles Koch in front of a book shelf
Charles Koch explains virtuous cycles of mutual benefit.
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Decades of continual transformation.

Since 1960, Koch has experienced extraordinary growth. Back then, our annual revenues were $12 million. Today, those revenues have exceeded 125 billion — a more than one-million-percent increase. This remarkable progress reflects the achievements of our approximately 120,000 employees, who continue to drive our company forward every day.

Koch Industries vs. S&P 500 S&P 50020181960
Good Profit by Charles Koch

Our Philosophy for Success

Read the books. Learn the principles.

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Under Charles Koch’s leadership, Koch has grown from a small company with an annual revenue of around $12 million to one of the largest privately owned companies in the world. Throughout his journey, Charles has sought to share his knowledge about the principles behind our unique business philosophy in several bestselling books. These books are for anyone who wants to better understand the concepts behind our success and help build a more civil, fair and prosperous society.

  Koch About Philosophy