Douglas Dynamics, Inc. - 1792 Exchange

Rating Overview

Douglas Dynamics, Inc. is Lower Risk.

Douglas Dynamics is Lower Risk. The company does not yield to political activism in shaping corporate governance, preventing initiatives that potentially alienate consumers, divide employees, and harm shareholders. The company implements race and identity-based policies that replace merit, excellence, and integrity with preferential treatment and outcomes. Overall, Douglas Dynamics does not embrace corporate initiatives that redirect its central focus from business goals to partisan policies and divisive issues. This approach protects free exercise, free speech, and free enterprise.

Rating Criteria

Corporate Weaponization Risk Levels
Criteria	Risk Level
Cancellations	Lower Risk
Discriminatory Philanthropy	Lower Risk
Employment Protection	Medium Risk

Corporate Weaponization ⓘ

Corporate Governance and Public Policy Risk Levels
Criteria	Risk Level
Advocacy Bias	High Risk
Funding	Medium Risk
Political Actions	No Data

Corporate Governance and Public Policy ⓘ

Rating Criteria Detail

Criteria Risk Level Rationale

Corporate Weaponization

Criteria:

Has canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level:

Lower

Rationale:

Douglas Dynamics has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (1).

Criteria:

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level:

Lower

Rationale:

Douglas Dynamics does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs (1).

Criteria:

Employment policies fail to protect against viewpoint or other discrimination and/or are ideological in nature.

Risk Level:

Medium

Rationale:

Douglas Dynamics appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its recruitment and hiring. From its 2022 ESG Impact Report: “We are investing in multiple initiatives focused on identifying and building a diverse talent pipeline” (1). The company has a supplier diversity program. It has “pledged to promote building a diverse and inclusive business environment with our suppliers” (2). The company protects its employees against viewpoint discrimination (3).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy

Criteria:

Uses corporate reputation to support causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level:

High

Rationale:

Douglas Dynamics supports ESG within its business practices, stating that it “believe[s] that sound corporate citizenship and a commitment to comprehensive ESG principles are essential to our success” (1). The company supports DEI within its business practices. From its 2022 ESG Impact Report: “We are committed to advancing diversity and inclusion” (2).

Criteria:

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level:

Medium

Rationale:

Douglas Dynamics sponsored the Milwaukee Pride Parade in 2022 (1). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of the company using corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (2).

Criteria:

Uses corporate political actions and/or financial contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level:

N/A

Rationale:

Douglas Dynamics does not operate a PAC or engage in lobbying at this time (1)(2)(3).