Golden Rule Leader Profile: Nucor Steel
This continues the Enterprise Engagement Alliance’s spotlight on organizations and leaders that embody the principles of stakeholder capitalism and the Golden Rule—optimizing returns for investors only by creating value for customers, employees, distribution and supply chain partners, communities, and the environment. Click here for the growing list of featured companies.“Grow the Core. Expand Beyond. Live our culture. Our challenge is to become the world’s safest steel company. We live each day with gratitude for the families, customers and partners that make our work possible....Our leadership is focused on empowering our teammates to drive Nucor’s long-term success.” These core principles of Nucor Steel in Charlotte, NC, embody the principles of stakeholder capitalism and the Golden Rule in business.
According to Glassdoor, the company gets a 4.3 out of 5 rating, with a 96% approval rating for Leon Topalian, the current CEO; 86% of employees would recommend the company to a friend. Shareholders must be happy as well; as of June 2025, the stock is up 167% over the past five years, versus 94% for the S&P 500.
Nucor is known for focusing on employees, offering competitive pay and benefits. The company employs a decentralized management structure that empowers employees at all levels in decision-making, offering profit sharing for workers, as well. The company has a strong commitment to safety, sharing that multiple divisions have had no recorded injuries in recent years, as well as to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
It is also known for working closely with its supply chain and distribution partners to foster resilience and sustainability, including practices that ensure a stable supply of iron ore and natural gas. Its philanthropic initiatives support sustainability, recycling, education and workforce development.The company has never experienced a strike and does not have a union in an industry with a long history of labor-management conflict.
The company has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability, launching the Econiq line of steel products made with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and by committing to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 35% by 2030.
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