Abbott takes leading position in Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Abbott has been named as an industry group leader in 2013's Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

The company has been named as the overall sector leader in the healthcare equipment and services industry group, making it one of only 24 companies selected at the head of their respective industries.

Its overall score of 82 was significantly higher than the average rating of 39 for other companies in the sector, and it earned the highest scores across all three main areas of evaluation, including economic, environmental and social performance.

Abbott achieved a rating of 100 percent in multiple key categories, including innovation management, supply chain management, stakeholder engagement, customer relationship management, environmental reporting and many others.

Miles White, chairman and chief executive officer at Abbott, said: "Our company was founded to improve lives; we've stayed true to that purpose for 125 years, as a business, as a scientific innovator and as a citizen of the communities of which we are part."

Last month, the company announced the completion of its takeover of Idev Technologies and OptiMedica, thus further expanding its commercial capabilities.