Atlas Copco has been named among the Top 100 most innovative companies in the world by Forbes magazine. Atlas Copco, ranked No. 67, joins innovative leaders on the list including Google Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Apple, Starbucks and Procter & Gamble.

Researchers at Forbes considered a number of factors when compiling the list, including a company’s Innovation Premium, which projects company income from existing businesses in addition to anticipated growth, as well as the net present value of cash flows.

The magazine did not consider peer reviews — judged by many to be a popularity contest based on past results — and instead looked to investors to help determine which companies were best poised for future growth and return on investment.

“In order to prosper in a global environment that is as competitive as ever, you must constantly be vigilant for new ways to improve your business,” said Andrew Walker, general manager of Atlas Copco Compressor’s U.S. operations. “While we are extremely honored to be included by Forbes among such a prestigious list of innovative companies, we will continue to look for ways to improve, for ourselves and for our loyal customers who have come to expect exceptional products and services from Atlas Copco.”

The research team at Forbes also identified five critical skill sets that company leaders should possess to help lead creative work and drive innovation within a company. These include:

• Questioning allows innovators to challenge the status quo and consider new possibilities;

• Observing helps innovators detect small details — in the activities of customers, suppliers and other companies — that suggest new ways of doing things

• Networking permits innovators to gain radically different perspectives from individuals with diverse backgrounds;

• Experimenting prompts innovators to relentlessly try out new experiences, take things apart and test new ideas;

• Associational thinking — drawing connections among questions, problems or ideas from unrelated fields — is triggered by questioning, observing, networking and experimenting and is the catalyst for creative ideas.

The magazine also looked at what it referred to as the “3P” framework as a code for innovation within an organization: people, processes and philosophies.

Atlas Copco Compressor’s North American headquarters is located in Rock Hill, S.C.

For more information, visit www.atlascopco.com.

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