Month: August 2024

In the first part of the HeroInside podcast Gore Fabrics Global Business Leader Achim Loeffler and host Tomas Vucurevic talk about the GORE-TEX brand, its beginnings and how it evolved to get the iconic brand that it is today. Achim touches on the foundation of W. L. Gore & Associates by Bill and Vieve Gore in 1958 and explains how their son Bob Gore discovered ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) in 1969 by rapidly stretching it under certain conditions. With that he not only enabled completely new opportunities for a myriad of product applications, but also laid the groundwork to develop waterproof, windproof and breathable laminates for fabrics in the apparel and footwear industry. In 1976, Gore receives its first commercial order for GORE‑TEX fabric — the first breathable, waterproof, and windproof fabric on the market. 

In 1989, the famous GORE‑TEX GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY® promise is introduced. Giving a guarantee on a finished product by an ingredient brand was unprecedented. It underlined Gore’s absolute commitment to customer and consumer satisfaction and was a big milestone to build trust among brand partners, retailers and end users. The next decades were characterized by developing the value chain, further building the brand and broadening the technology and product portfolio to new product forms and end uses. One important focus is the partnership with retailers, another one driving innovation in existing and new products and technologies, like footwear, gloves and accessories. Launching a direct-to-consumer brand with Gore BikeWear at that time, today it’s GOREWEAR, was another milestone. The brand quick became known for commitment, excellence and innovation in the professional cycling community. The other direct-to-consumer brand is SITKA, a premium brand in the hunting space. Part 1 of the episode closes with Achim’s conclusion that the GORE-TEX Brand stands for a combination of protection, comfort and sustainability.

Want to learn more? Listen to the HeroInside podcast with Achim Loeffler hosted by Tomas Vucurevic

Achim Löffler: GORE-TEX – The iconic Ingredient Brand’s journey to responsible performance (Part 1) (youtube.com) 

Education holds immense power in shaping the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, and we are passionate about preparing students for the demands of the 21st century workforce. This is why we partner with schools, educators, and local nonprofit organizations to outfit AMD Learning Labs with AMD processor-based equipment, helping empower teachers and inspire students to pursue STEM education.

As of December 2023, AMD sponsored labs are installed in Dublin, Markham, Shanghai, Singapore, Penang, Austin, and San Jose. These AMD Learning Labs support the expansion of STEM curricula and opportunities for under-resourced educational programs. Students gain real-world experience with computer hardware and software and engage with AMD employee volunteers. They also develop skills in robotics, coding, app development, and website and game design, as well as improving their digital literacy skills. This supports reasoning and skills development, giving them a foundation for future success.

In 2023, AMD and Maynooth University came together to establish an AMD Learning Lab in Dublin, Ireland to support the “STEM Passport for Inclusion” program, created by Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan, a Digital Skills Lecturer at Maynooth University. The program addresses inequalities with access to STEM careers among secondary school female students in socially disadvantaged communities. Maynooth uses a well-designed pathway that provides educational qualification, education support, and mentoring from industry role models to help students progress to tertiary (university-level) education and achieve a STEM qualification.

In addition to providing 30 AMD-powered Lenovo laptops, more than 30 AMD employees volunteered as mentors to 800 students over 16 days at the Dublin office.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, a unique public school, is providing out-of-the-box education strategies and enrichment opportunities that incorporate real-world, hands-on projects that prepare and equip students to tackle big problems with big ideas. High school students complete a college-to-career pathway in STEM fields where women are historically underrepresented.

AMD initially funded a Learning Lab in 2019, and we provided additional funding in 2023, when the school’s Media Technology Pathway’s animation and filmmaking curriculum needed an infusion of technology to meet today’s demands. We were able to provide a professional level file server and video editing workstations powered by AMD EPYC and Ryzen processors that allow students to better edit, render, and collaborate on projects faster and more efficiently.

“We are hugely excited to roll out STEM Passport for Inclusion nationwide. Our goal is to enroll 5,000 students by December 2024 from underrepresented schools across Maynooth University, Munster Technological University, and Atlantic Technological University. With the generous support of AMD, we conducted over 50 mentoring sessions and provided STEM education to over 480 students. The invaluable contribution from supporters like AMD is instrumental in making this project a reality.”

– DR KATRIONA O’SULLIVAN DIGITAL SKILLS LECTURER MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY & BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

Read more at https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/digital-impact.html

Originally published in AMD 2023-24 Corporate Responsibility Report.

Three cheers for Team Kohler, who raced to a gold medal victory at the 2024 Dragon Boat Races!

Members of our Asian Resources of Kohler business resource group led two teams of nearly 50 associates to race against local organizations at this year’s Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival. Team Kohler 1 emerged victorious in their division, securing first place with a record-breaking finish time.

The fun-filled day continued with traditional Chinese performances, music, games, and cuisine—an unforgettable day of teambuilding and camaraderie!

AEG’s LA Galaxy, in partnership with Herbalife and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, unveiled a new mini-pitch at Rio Vista Elementary School in Pico Rivera, CA, on August 19, 2024 that is designed to offer local children a safe and dedicated space to play soccer. The new facility transforms an underutilized spaces into vibrant areas that celebrate the spirit of teamwork, empowerment, and fitness through the excitement of soccer.

The opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the El Rancho Unified School District where LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun and LA Galaxy’s head athletic trainer, Cesar Roldan, provided remarks . The ceremony was followed by an exclusive soccer clinic led by LA Galaxy players Jalen Neal, Edwin Cerrillo, and Mauricio Cuevas for more than 50 youth soccer players from Rio Vista Elementary.

“We are thrilled about the installation of the mini-pitch at Rio Vista Elementary School. Growing up in Pico Rivera, I know firsthand how vital spaces like this are for our youth,” said Roldan. “It’s more than just a place to play soccer; it’s a community hub where kids can come together, dream, and grow. This pitch will help us continue providing access to free soccer and safe places for young people to learn and play the game.”

Herbalife is a premier health and wellness company and community that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. For more information, please visit Herbalife.com.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org.

The LA Galaxy is Major League Soccer’s most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record five times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014), the MLS Supporters’ Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun on the business operations side and LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney on the soccer operations side, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez, Cobi Jones, Riqui Puig and Marco Reus representing LA over the team’s 29 years in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit www.lagalaxy.com.