Milano (3 maggio 2007) – SAS Institute, the leader in business intelligence, has been named one of Europe’s ten best places to work. SAS came in as joint runner-up behind Italian sports car producer Ferrari, according to the Great Place to Work® Institute.

More than 1000 companies competed for the designation as the best workplace in Europe. The survey names one winner, with runner-up status shared among nine other companies. The best 100 workplaces are published and honored in the Financial Times.

“SAS’ ranking among the ten best workplaces in Europe shows what a remarkable culture SAS Institute has created,” says Palle Ellemann, Managing Director of the Great Place to Work Institute, Europe. The organization scores companies on such factors as credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

Great work environment – great financial results

SAS global revenue in 2006 was US$1.9 billion, up 12 percent over 2005. The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region accounts for 45 percent of revenues.

“SAS Institute lives by the words of founder and CEO, Dr. Jim Goodnight: ‘If you treat employees as if they make a difference to the company, they will make a difference to the company’," continues Mr. Ellemann.

Founded 30 years ago, SAS has more than 10,000 employees worldwide. “The success of SAS on an international level shows how important it is to have our corporate philosophy and values play out at a local level,” says Dr. Goodnight, who is well known for his unique and compelling leadership style.

In the US, SAS has been annually recognized among the best places to work for more than a decade. This year, SAS Norway was named the #1 Best Place to Work in Norway, while SAS Sweden took top honors for small companies in Sweden. SAS Mexico was named among best places to work in Mexico for the second year in a row.