Month: June 2024

Feature by Susan Galer

There’s no better proving ground for the incredible power of digitalized food chains than India, one of the most populated countries worldwide. As India’s leading food agritech company, WayCool Foods has pioneered a data-driven strategy designed to close the gap between supply and demand, decreasing food waste and increasing revenue for every organization across the value chain.

“With one integrated platform that connects data from farmers through processing, warehouses, and retail, we are transforming the traditional food chain from supplier-driven to demand-driven,” said Karthik Jayaraman, co-founder and managing director at WayCool. “We selected RISE with SAP because it is a flexible, cloud-based foundation for our growing business. SAP S/4HANA provides a single source of truth company-wide and across our ecosystem, helping us produce and deliver the delicious food that consumers want on their table.”

The company has already reduced food wastage by up to 96% while improving the average income of farmers by over 13%.

Data Insights Align Food Supply with Demand

Putting predictability and farming in the same sentence might seem like a stretch in a world rocked by disruptions like extreme weather and geopolitical conflicts. However, WayCool orchestrates a groundbreaking collaborative effort. It starts with farmers who produce the fruits, vegetables, and other staples that feed the Indian population and extends to partners, warehouse operations, distribution, and retailers.

“Sharing information with our partners in procurement who run processing and warehouse facilities, along with transportation logistics and retail, we can align supply with the right pricing for greater efficiencies and governance that produces the highest quality products,” said Avinash Kasinathan, chief technology officer at WayCool. “Data transparency also means that farmers can base field production on actual market demand and consumption.”

Farmer Income Grows with Data-Driven Strategy

WayCool’s ability to trace products from farm to end consumer provides the company and its ecosystem with forecasting and planning insights based on real-time customer feedback and market demands. Using this connected data, WayCool makes recommendations to farmers on what fruits and vegetables to grow for the highest yields and uptake at the best prices.

Fourth-generation farmer Hari Prasad, located in a village called Karnataka on the outskirts of East Bangalore, is one of the over 200,000 farmers that WayCool provides with detailed cultivation plans.

“Unlike traditional farming, WayCool recommends what to plant, when, and where, letting us know up front what they’ll purchase at fair prices based on harvest time frames and factoring in staggered market demands,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about whether or not we’ll sell our yield, and we can calculate continuous earnings in a more predictable and consistent manner.”

Although farmers may have smaller yields, harvesting crops on a more consistent basis throughout the year levels out supply and demand spikes and downturns. If crop prices fall one week and rise the next, farmers can average out major risks with a steadier stream of income over time.

AI-Based Technologies Reduce Waste and Boost Crop Yields

WayCool has infused AI capabilities across its digitalized supply chain to increase quality yield and decrease waste. AI is built into the recommendation engine that tells retailers which products on their shelves will sell faster according to store location demographics. In the field, farmers use AI-based image recognition to quickly identify plant diseases and set up treatment plans. Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensors in the soil send farmers alerts on weather patterns to guide more cost-efficient and sustainable irrigation decisions. The company is exploring generative AI use cases as well.

Sustainable Agriculture Vision for the World

For WayCool and its partners, sustainable business encompasses the full range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. Digitalization has an important role, for example, in regenerative farming practices. Farmers can use data-driven insights to produce stronger seeds for biodiversity, growing crops that are more climate-resilient and use less water and fertilizer in healthier soil.

Looking ahead, Jayaraman is eager to bring WayCool’s digitalized business model from India to other regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

“The food supply chain is a huge global market, yet agribusiness is one of the least digitized industries,” said Jayaraman. “We’ve experienced how technology is revolutionizing food chains in India, and we’re excited about bringing people in other parts of the world greater access to affordable, quality food for the next generation of sustainable agriculture.”

Feature by Susan Galer

There’s no better proving ground for the incredible power of digitalized food chains than India, one of the most populated countries worldwide. As India’s leading food agritech company, WayCool Foods has pioneered a data-driven strategy designed to close the gap between supply and demand, decreasing food waste and increasing revenue for every organization across the value chain.

“With one integrated platform that connects data from farmers through processing, warehouses, and retail, we are transforming the traditional food chain from supplier-driven to demand-driven,” said Karthik Jayaraman, co-founder and managing director at WayCool. “We selected RISE with SAP because it is a flexible, cloud-based foundation for our growing business. SAP S/4HANA provides a single source of truth company-wide and across our ecosystem, helping us produce and deliver the delicious food that consumers want on their table.”

The company has already reduced food wastage by up to 96% while improving the average income of farmers by over 13%.

Data Insights Align Food Supply with Demand

Putting predictability and farming in the same sentence might seem like a stretch in a world rocked by disruptions like extreme weather and geopolitical conflicts. However, WayCool orchestrates a groundbreaking collaborative effort. It starts with farmers who produce the fruits, vegetables, and other staples that feed the Indian population and extends to partners, warehouse operations, distribution, and retailers.

“Sharing information with our partners in procurement who run processing and warehouse facilities, along with transportation logistics and retail, we can align supply with the right pricing for greater efficiencies and governance that produces the highest quality products,” said Avinash Kasinathan, chief technology officer at WayCool. “Data transparency also means that farmers can base field production on actual market demand and consumption.”

Farmer Income Grows with Data-Driven Strategy

WayCool’s ability to trace products from farm to end consumer provides the company and its ecosystem with forecasting and planning insights based on real-time customer feedback and market demands. Using this connected data, WayCool makes recommendations to farmers on what fruits and vegetables to grow for the highest yields and uptake at the best prices.

Fourth-generation farmer Hari Prasad, located in a village called Karnataka on the outskirts of East Bangalore, is one of the over 200,000 farmers that WayCool provides with detailed cultivation plans.

“Unlike traditional farming, WayCool recommends what to plant, when, and where, letting us know up front what they’ll purchase at fair prices based on harvest time frames and factoring in staggered market demands,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about whether or not we’ll sell our yield, and we can calculate continuous earnings in a more predictable and consistent manner.”

Although farmers may have smaller yields, harvesting crops on a more consistent basis throughout the year levels out supply and demand spikes and downturns. If crop prices fall one week and rise the next, farmers can average out major risks with a steadier stream of income over time.

AI-Based Technologies Reduce Waste and Boost Crop Yields

WayCool has infused AI capabilities across its digitalized supply chain to increase quality yield and decrease waste. AI is built into the recommendation engine that tells retailers which products on their shelves will sell faster according to store location demographics. In the field, farmers use AI-based image recognition to quickly identify plant diseases and set up treatment plans. Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensors in the soil send farmers alerts on weather patterns to guide more cost-efficient and sustainable irrigation decisions. The company is exploring generative AI use cases as well.

Sustainable Agriculture Vision for the World

For WayCool and its partners, sustainable business encompasses the full range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. Digitalization has an important role, for example, in regenerative farming practices. Farmers can use data-driven insights to produce stronger seeds for biodiversity, growing crops that are more climate-resilient and use less water and fertilizer in healthier soil.

Looking ahead, Jayaraman is eager to bring WayCool’s digitalized business model from India to other regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

“The food supply chain is a huge global market, yet agribusiness is one of the least digitized industries,” said Jayaraman. “We’ve experienced how technology is revolutionizing food chains in India, and we’re excited about bringing people in other parts of the world greater access to affordable, quality food for the next generation of sustainable agriculture.”

ParityLIST®2024 Best Companies for Equal Advancement Opportunity

We’re committed to building diverse teams and fostering an inclusive, equitable culture. While there’s always more work to do to deliver on that promise, we’re proud to be named once again to the Parity.Org list of Best Companies for Equal Advancement Opportunity. This recognizes the progress we’ve made leveling the playing field and ensuring all our teammates have a shot at success.

U.S. News & World Report Best Companies to Work For in 2024-25

People are at the center of everything we do, which is why we want all our teammates to feel valued, cared for and empowered to achieve their goals. Thanks to U.S. News & World Report for naming us to its list of Best Companies to Work For in 2024-25, a recognition of our continued commitment to policies that support flexibility, well-being and personal growth — critical to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

USA TODAY and Statista 2024 list of America’s Climate Leaders

We’re honored to be named to the USA TODAY and Statista list of America’s Climate Leaders for the second year in a row. Sustainability is not simply a tagline for us; it’s an intentional and integrated part of our IGNITE strategy. That’s why we’ve taken measurable actions to tackle our operational emissions and advance our reporting practices to enhance the well-being our planet — and in the process our long-term success as a company.

Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship 2024 Innovation Amplifier Award

The Burt’s Bees SheKeeper program, supported by its beeswax and shea ingredient suppliers and USAID, was recognized recently by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship with its 2024 Innovation Amplifier Award. It was cited for its approach that’s transforming natural ingredient supply chains through responsible sourcing and women’s economic empowerment. The program increases biodiversity and provides crop and income diversification to Ghanaian women in shea-producing communities with the potential to scale more broadly, ultimately benefiting more than 16 million women in West Africa.

ParityLIST®2024 Best Companies for Equal Advancement Opportunity

We’re committed to building diverse teams and fostering an inclusive, equitable culture. While there’s always more work to do to deliver on that promise, we’re proud to be named once again to the Parity.Org list of Best Companies for Equal Advancement Opportunity. This recognizes the progress we’ve made leveling the playing field and ensuring all our teammates have a shot at success.

U.S. News & World Report Best Companies to Work For in 2024-25

People are at the center of everything we do, which is why we want all our teammates to feel valued, cared for and empowered to achieve their goals. Thanks to U.S. News & World Report for naming us to its list of Best Companies to Work For in 2024-25, a recognition of our continued commitment to policies that support flexibility, well-being and personal growth — critical to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

USA TODAY and Statista 2024 list of America’s Climate Leaders

We’re honored to be named to the USA TODAY and Statista list of America’s Climate Leaders for the second year in a row. Sustainability is not simply a tagline for us; it’s an intentional and integrated part of our IGNITE strategy. That’s why we’ve taken measurable actions to tackle our operational emissions and advance our reporting practices to enhance the well-being our planet — and in the process our long-term success as a company.

Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship 2024 Innovation Amplifier Award

The Burt’s Bees SheKeeper program, supported by its beeswax and shea ingredient suppliers and USAID, was recognized recently by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship with its 2024 Innovation Amplifier Award. It was cited for its approach that’s transforming natural ingredient supply chains through responsible sourcing and women’s economic empowerment. The program increases biodiversity and provides crop and income diversification to Ghanaian women in shea-producing communities with the potential to scale more broadly, ultimately benefiting more than 16 million women in West Africa.

Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has released its 2023 Annual Report, showcasing the milestones, achievements, and strategic direction of Cascale over the past year, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and collective action at scale.

“2023 has been a year of significant transformation for Cascale. We have not only grown our membership and enhanced our tools but have also laid a strong foundation for future impact. Our commitment to driving sustainability and equitable business practices is stronger than ever. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to collaborating with our members and the broader ecosystem to achieve our collective goals,” said Colin Browne, chief executive officer of Cascale.

This was a transformative year for Cascale, marked by significant growth, strategic initiatives, and impactful collaborations. The annual report provides an in-depth look at the organization’s efforts to enhance transparency, combat climate change, foster decent work, and build a nature-positive future. It also introduces the exciting rebranding of the organization and highlights the progress made with its flagship Higg Index tools. It is the second publication of its kind for Casale, with 2022 being the inaugural reporting year.

Key Highlights from the 2023 Annual Report:

Growth and Engagement: Cascale’s membership grew to over 300 entities across 34 countries, including retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, and NGOs. Membership also began to expand beyond textiles and apparel, and into adjacent product categories. Cascale’s membership now includes apparel, footwear, home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies.Strategic Refresh: Cascale announced a new strategy, focusing efforts on achieving impact across three pillars: combating climate change, ensuring decent work for all, and fostering a nature-positive future.Decarbonization Initiatives: Significant progress in the Decarbonization Program, with over 50 percent of members committed to, or in the process of committing to Science-Based Targets.Higg Index Enhancements: Major updates to the Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM) and Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), improving data accuracy and alignment with global standards.Collaborative Partnerships: Strengthened relationships with key partners like the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Worldly, and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to drive collective action and industry-wide impact.Strategic Rebranding: Introduction of Cascale’s new brand identity, reflecting the evolving mission and vision for a sustainable future.

“What an eventful year! The progress we’ve made in 2023 is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, Board, members, and stakeholders. While challenges remain, our path is filled with purpose, and we are more committed than ever to driving sustainable change across the industry,” said Tamar Hoek, board chair of Cascale, and senior policy director of sustainable fashion, Solidaridad.

Looking Ahead

As Cascale moves forward, it remains dedicated to catalyzing collective action toward an equitable and restorative consumer goods industry. The efforts in 2023 have laid a solid foundation for continued progress, and Cascale looks forward to working closely with its members and stakeholders to achieve even greater impact in the years to come. The future will also be a hot topic at Cascale’s Annual Meeting, to to be held September 9 to 11 in Munich, Germany.

Cascale invites all stakeholders to explore the full 2023 Annual Report and join in the shared journey toward a more sustainable future. Members can register for the upcoming Annual Meeting here.

Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has released its 2023 Annual Report, showcasing the milestones, achievements, and strategic direction of Cascale over the past year, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and collective action at scale.

“2023 has been a year of significant transformation for Cascale. We have not only grown our membership and enhanced our tools but have also laid a strong foundation for future impact. Our commitment to driving sustainability and equitable business practices is stronger than ever. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to collaborating with our members and the broader ecosystem to achieve our collective goals,” said Colin Browne, chief executive officer of Cascale.

This was a transformative year for Cascale, marked by significant growth, strategic initiatives, and impactful collaborations. The annual report provides an in-depth look at the organization’s efforts to enhance transparency, combat climate change, foster decent work, and build a nature-positive future. It also introduces the exciting rebranding of the organization and highlights the progress made with its flagship Higg Index tools. It is the second publication of its kind for Casale, with 2022 being the inaugural reporting year.

Key Highlights from the 2023 Annual Report:

Growth and Engagement: Cascale’s membership grew to over 300 entities across 34 countries, including retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, and NGOs. Membership also began to expand beyond textiles and apparel, and into adjacent product categories. Cascale’s membership now includes apparel, footwear, home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies.Strategic Refresh: Cascale announced a new strategy, focusing efforts on achieving impact across three pillars: combating climate change, ensuring decent work for all, and fostering a nature-positive future.Decarbonization Initiatives: Significant progress in the Decarbonization Program, with over 50 percent of members committed to, or in the process of committing to Science-Based Targets.Higg Index Enhancements: Major updates to the Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM) and Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), improving data accuracy and alignment with global standards.Collaborative Partnerships: Strengthened relationships with key partners like the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Worldly, and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to drive collective action and industry-wide impact.Strategic Rebranding: Introduction of Cascale’s new brand identity, reflecting the evolving mission and vision for a sustainable future.

“What an eventful year! The progress we’ve made in 2023 is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, Board, members, and stakeholders. While challenges remain, our path is filled with purpose, and we are more committed than ever to driving sustainable change across the industry,” said Tamar Hoek, board chair of Cascale, and senior policy director of sustainable fashion, Solidaridad.

Looking Ahead

As Cascale moves forward, it remains dedicated to catalyzing collective action toward an equitable and restorative consumer goods industry. The efforts in 2023 have laid a solid foundation for continued progress, and Cascale looks forward to working closely with its members and stakeholders to achieve even greater impact in the years to come. The future will also be a hot topic at Cascale’s Annual Meeting, to to be held September 9 to 11 in Munich, Germany.

Cascale invites all stakeholders to explore the full 2023 Annual Report and join in the shared journey toward a more sustainable future. Members can register for the upcoming Annual Meeting here.