Koch

There’s no place quite like home to share the principles that have shaped our business over the decades. Speaking to a local audience at Wichita State University's Barton School of Business, both Charles and Chase Koch shared a few of the 41 principles covered in their new book, “Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader,” and discussed how Koch is focused on creating mutual benefit here in our hometown across multiple generations. Talking directly to the business leaders in the room, Chase said, “We want to learn from Wichita … what are your ideas and the things that we can do to really make this work and make it successful?” Read more about the principles they shared and why Wichita remains an important part of the Koch story here: https://lnkd.in/eCCJmGwR

The ground beneath our feet isn’t just crumbling … we are experiencing earthquakes. It’s a fitting way to describe the pace of change that’s reshaping industries — and the market process behind creative destruction, where new and better ways of creating value continually replace old ones. At Koch, we treat this principle as more than a business philosophy. We take a principled approach and evaluate every business, existing capability and new opportunity not just on the economic potential, but on how it can help our companies transform. Creative destruction can also be seen as a personal challenge to reflect on the habits, assumptions and approaches that may have helped you succeed in the past, and ask whether they’re still your best way forward. Because while the future may be unknown, it is shaped by those who challenge themselves to think differently. Use the Principle Companion to explore creative destruction further, and consider what ideas or past successes may be worth rethinking as you look for new ways to create value. https://lnkd.in/eHKg5zHf

This year on National Intern Day, we’re recognizing the more than 500 interns across Koch companies who are creating value and making meaningful contributions from day one. At Koch, interns aren’t here to simply observe — they take on real responsibility, solve challenges and help move our business forward. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience and have the chance to connect directly with leaders across the company through small-group discussions and learning opportunities. We also challenge each individual to think differently by applying principles that help inform decision making and discover where their unique skills, talents and passions can create greater value for society. Because an internship isn’t just the start of a set career path, it’s about finding opportunities to learn, grow and contribute. We’re grateful for all the efforts of our interns this year and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.

Five Koch facilities representing Flint Hills Resources and Koch Ag & Energy Solutions, LLC have earned U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR® certification for 2025, ranking in the top 25% of their industries for energy efficiency. • Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi West Refinery (Corpus Christi, Texas) • Koch Fertilizer (Enid, Oklahoma) • Koch Fertilizer (Wever, Iowa) • Koch Fertilizer (Fort Dodge, Iowa) • Koch Fertilizer (Beatrice, Nebraska) Additionally, Natural Resources Canada awarded 2025 ENERGY STAR® certification to the Koch Fertilizer facility in Brandon, Manitoba. This work is reflective of our Stewardship Framework and is driven by employees committed to finding better ways to produce life’s essentials using fewer resources across our facilities. Thanks to all the team members who have contributed to earning these certifications. Read more about these certifications here: https://www.utm.io/urQKS

What's behind the decisions that create lasting value? Principles, and the practice of applying them. At Koch, principles guide how individual employees make decisions, solve problems and work toward mutually beneficial outcomes. But applying them well takes practice. It requires reflection, judgment and a willingness to keep learning. Done consistently, it helps each of us approach decisions with greater clarity and purpose. Because principles are universal, that practice is not limited to Koch. Built through experimentation, the Principle Companion is an AI platform available to anyone who wants to think through real situations with a principle-based lens — at work, at home or anywhere decisions are made. Try it on a situation you’re working through: https://www.utm.io/urMuJ

Seeking to apply Principle Based Management™ to all that we do is at the core of our business success. This week, our employees across the globe heard from Jim Hannan, Koch president and chief operating officer and Chase Koch, executive vice president of origination and partnerships, during our live, all-employee town hall to unpack the lessons found in the New York Times best-selling book, “Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader.” Check out Jim’s post to read his perspective on the event and why he thinks applying principles is key to individual and organizational success.

Koch is proud to support the people, places and programs helping Wichita move forward. This quarter, that work came to life in different ways across the community. At Exploration Place, Koch helped bring the new Adventure Playscape and Koch Welcome Plaza to life, giving families and students more space to learn, play and explore. Through our longtime partnership with the Kansas Hispanic Education & Development Foundation, we continued helping Hispanic first-generation college students pursue their educational goals. We also supported student entrepreneurship through the WSU Innovation Challenge and expanded access to legal resources through the Koch Pro Bono initiative. Each effort serves a different need, but they are all rooted in the same belief: communities are stronger when people have opportunities to learn, grow and connect.

At Koch, we believe in succeeding by helping others succeed. It’s not a new idea - it’s foundational to the principles that have guided our nation for 250 years, and our business for many decades. We also believe that a life of meaning is built the same way, by creating value for others. So, on America’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the freedom to contribute, create value and help others flourish.