Month: April 2023

FARMINGTON, Conn., April 19, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Four student teams around the world won their respective regional competitions aimed at developing unique mobility solutions to offset the challenges brought on by climate change in their local communities. The third annual Made to Move Communities™ Student Challenge from Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS), paired volunteer mentors from the vertical mobility leader with 230 students across 15 countries and territories.

With the guidance of their Otis mentors, students developed innovative solutions based on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that they believe can mitigate some of the obstacles to real-world mobility issues.  

“We are so proud of these talented students and the ingenuity they displayed in creating innovative STEM solutions to what is arguably the defining issue of the 21st century,” said Otis Chief Communications Officer Randi Tanguay. “Made to Move Communities demonstrates, year after year, the potential of the next generation of innovators to help shape their communities for the better while improving our world for the future.”  

The winning schools selected in each Otis region were:  

Americas: Wilson High School, Florence (SC), United States 

Proposed a variation of a composite roofing shingle to help decrease temperatures and lower energy consumption/cost for homeowners. These shingles would also be less expensive and require fewer repairs than asphalt, reducing associated runoff waste. 

Europe, Middle East & Africa: Nový PORG, Prague, Czech Republic 

Developed a concept for a mapping application that enables users to select the best mode of transportation and route to a destination to minimize carbon emissions. The app also includes ways to identify if certain routes are accessible for persons with disabilities. 

Asia Pacific: Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Wangchan District, Thailand 

Created a website that shows real-time flood data, with push alerts, to help drivers avoid dangerous and/or impassable areas. 

China: China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China 

Presented contactless transit that both absorbs vibration and repurposes wasted energy for improved efficiency and a smoother ride. 

Student teams spent up to eight weeks working with Otis mentors to identify, research and develop solutions to eliminate mobility barriers caused by climate change – each with the goal to create more sustainable and inclusive communities. Teams virtually presented their ideas to a panel of regional Otis leaders who carefully evaluated their projects. Winning teams earned grants for their respective schools to further STEM programming and benefit even more students.   

The program is also driving progress toward three of Oits’ ESG targets: impacting 15,000 students globally through STEM and vocational training, directing 50% of giving to STEM programs and dedicating 500,000 colleague volunteer hours by 2030.  Read more about the company’s performance in the 2022 ESG Report. 

The announcement of the Made to Move Communities winning schools is part of Otis’ annual Lift Our Communities Month celebration. Throughout the month of April, the company celebrates its ongoing commitment to support the communities where its colleagues live and work.  

MTMC Year 3 Winners Video

About Otis 

Otis is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.2 million customer units worldwide, the industry’s largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 69,000 people strong, including 41,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo.  

When it comes to teambuilding and giving back to their communities, our Henkel employees don’t play around.

As they planned to gather in person for an “All-in” employee meeting, several teams within the Hair Professional Business of Henkel Consumer Brands, knew they wanted to help improve life in the San Diego community where their meeting would be held.

“We try to build volunteerism into the framework of these all-employee meetings so we can pour back some positive energy into our communities,” says Alicia Williams, who led the efforts to organize the volunteer activity.

Where Purpose Meets Play

Alicia worked closely with Angela Curley, Henkel’s Senior Manager of Corporate Citizenship and DEI, Camille Coward, Senior Manager of Brand Experience & Events, and San Diego Habitat for Humanity to arrange a volunteer opportunity for approximately 75 employees that would build teamwork — and playhouses with pizzazz.

Through San Diego Habitat’s playhouse program, groups who want to give back construct and decorate durable playhouses, each measuring 4x5x6’. Habitat then offers the playhouses to low-income families through partnerships with several local charities, military groups, foster networks, and the Habitat ReStore.

“These playhouses offer children a special place of their own where they can let their imaginations run free,” notes Linnea Lagerstrom, Corporate Partnerships Manager for San Diego Habitat for Humanity. “In turn, the funds raised through the playhouse program ensure that Habitat can continue to build and repair more affordable homes throughout the region.”

Good Will & Good Times

With severe weather forecasted for the build day, Camille Coward arranged a last-minute pivot to an indoor location: a carefully protected hotel conference room. Employees gathered in seven teams to build and decorate seven playhouses. Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity were on hand to guide the day’s activities.

Over a three-hour period, the playhouses began to take shape. After construction, each house was decorated in keeping with a playful theme — from dinosaurs and sea creatures to castles and clouds. Considering that these Henkel volunteers work in the beauty industry, it is no surprise that they produced some show-stopping playhouses that are sure to be the envy of the neighborhood.

“The designs brought all of the playhouses to life, and everybody really got into it. One team was absolutely covered in paint,” says Williams. “Lots of laughs were shared, and that was probably the best part of the experience.”

Each family had their brand-new playhouse delivered right to their home after the build.

“For some families, the playhouse is a surprise for their children and for others, they’re anxiously waiting for the playhouse to arrive,” says Lagerstrom. “All the families were so grateful to receive their playhouse, and the kids are loving them!”

Henkel & Habitat

Henkel employees are united by their desire to help others. Henkel is there to support them. The playhouse build was no exception.

Through the Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) program, Henkel provided a grant to cover the costs of materials for the playhouses and funds to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission.

Celebrating its 25th year in 2023, the MIT program provides financial and other resources to support the causes closest to our employees’ hearts.

“Henkel and its employees are committed to creating positive change to help make society “future-fit”. The MIT program is a grassroots effort that helps us connect with communities in meaningful, sustainable ways,” says Angela Curley. “Habitat is one of those causes MIT supports year after year because we can see the impact of their mission to provide safe and affordable housing.”

“We are so grateful for Henkel’s active support of our mission to ensure that everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home,” says Lagerstrom. “We particularly appreciate collaborations like this where people from all over come to San Diego, not just for the lovely weather, but also to give back to the community they are visiting.”

Our volunteers walked away filled with team spirit — and the joy of knowing that happy memories will be made in those playhouses for years to come.

“Some of us are still new to the Henkel team. It was a great feeling to connect with each other and to give back,” says Williams. “It was very meaningful to see how just a few hours of our time is going to provide endless possibilities for kids to play in their backyard and let their imaginations shine.”