Tag: 3BL

Originally published in the SEE Impact Report 2022

Circular Food Packaging Tray Initiative in Australia

Certified-circular solutions for food packaging 

Advancing the circularity of essential plastic packaging takes collaboration throughout the value chain. In its second food-grade plastics circularity project with ExxonMobil, SEE will divert approximately 900 tonnes of plastic waste annually from landfill or incineration in Australia. In this collaboration, CRYOVAC® brand preformed food packaging trays are being made with resins leveraging ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling technology and mass balance attribution. The resins and tray manufacturing are certified to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS standard, and the trays are curbside recyclable within Australia. As one of the first such initiatives for fresh red meat trays in Australia, the collaboration addresses the critical challenge in driving circularity for food-grade plastics that have strict hygiene and performance requirements for food protection and distribution.

BUBBLE WRAP® Brand Inflatable Packaging 

Inflatable solutions designed for recycling 

BUBBLE WRAP® brand inflatable packaging includes thin, lightweight films designed to maintain a superior level of product protection with minimal environmental impact. These solutions inflate on demand to ship more efficiently than pre-inflated solutions. Once inflated, the materials can also be reused multiple times, greatly reducing the amount of packaging material that enters the waste stream.

The BUBBLE WRAP® brand inflatable packaging portfolio includes:

BUBBLE WRAP® brand Fill-Air slim air pillows: At a thickness of 10 microns, it’s the slimmest air pillow on the market. It reduces material use and saves valuable space by shipping and storing flat, deflating to 0.7% of the original volume.BUBBLE WRAP® brand recycled content inflatable air pillows: This solution features 50% recycled content, of which 30% is post-consumer recycled content. It reduces use of virgin materials, lowering the carbon footprint of the package without compromising performance.

BUBBLE WRAP® brand recycled content films: With a minimum of 30% recycled content diverted from recovered waste, these recycled content films have the same performance as BUBBLE WRAP® brand IB film but use less virgin material to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This solution can help customers align with various countries’ plastic tax regulations.

The films used in the solutions could be labeled as store drop-off recyclable, recyclable, or designed for recycling. The degree of recyclability of the final package depends on the scope and availability of appropriate local recycling facilities.

Read the full SEE Impact Report 2022

Originally published in the SEE Impact Report 2022

Circular Food Packaging Tray Initiative in Australia

Certified-circular solutions for food packaging 

Advancing the circularity of essential plastic packaging takes collaboration throughout the value chain. In its second food-grade plastics circularity project with ExxonMobil, SEE will divert approximately 900 tonnes of plastic waste annually from landfill or incineration in Australia. In this collaboration, CRYOVAC® brand preformed food packaging trays are being made with resins leveraging ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling technology and mass balance attribution. The resins and tray manufacturing are certified to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS standard, and the trays are curbside recyclable within Australia. As one of the first such initiatives for fresh red meat trays in Australia, the collaboration addresses the critical challenge in driving circularity for food-grade plastics that have strict hygiene and performance requirements for food protection and distribution.

BUBBLE WRAP® Brand Inflatable Packaging 

Inflatable solutions designed for recycling 

BUBBLE WRAP® brand inflatable packaging includes thin, lightweight films designed to maintain a superior level of product protection with minimal environmental impact. These solutions inflate on demand to ship more efficiently than pre-inflated solutions. Once inflated, the materials can also be reused multiple times, greatly reducing the amount of packaging material that enters the waste stream.

The BUBBLE WRAP® brand inflatable packaging portfolio includes:

BUBBLE WRAP® brand Fill-Air slim air pillows: At a thickness of 10 microns, it’s the slimmest air pillow on the market. It reduces material use and saves valuable space by shipping and storing flat, deflating to 0.7% of the original volume.BUBBLE WRAP® brand recycled content inflatable air pillows: This solution features 50% recycled content, of which 30% is post-consumer recycled content. It reduces use of virgin materials, lowering the carbon footprint of the package without compromising performance.

BUBBLE WRAP® brand recycled content films: With a minimum of 30% recycled content diverted from recovered waste, these recycled content films have the same performance as BUBBLE WRAP® brand IB film but use less virgin material to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This solution can help customers align with various countries’ plastic tax regulations.

The films used in the solutions could be labeled as store drop-off recyclable, recyclable, or designed for recycling. The degree of recyclability of the final package depends on the scope and availability of appropriate local recycling facilities.

Read the full SEE Impact Report 2022

Complimentary Webinar

Qualify for Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly with SCS Recycled Content Certification for Electrical & Electronic Equipment

June 6, 2024 | 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM EDT

REGISTER

Join SCS Global Services for a webinar discussing the newest addition to our Recycled Content Standard specifically for Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Certification is ideal for brands and OEMs around the globe and qualified products that meet the requirements to participate in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program.

SCS-103 Recycled Content Annex A certification requires multiple recycled material inputs, sets a minimum threshold for each recycled input, and also sets a minimum overall recycled content threshold for eligible electronic products to support a rigorous product-level claim. Products that qualify under this standard range from PCs, Laptops and accessories, gaming devices, household appliances, audio visual products, printers, mobile devices, and more.

Date: June 6, 2024 
Time: 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET

Led by Nicole Munoz, Vice President of SCS’s Environmental Certification Services division, this webinar will explore:

The requirements to achieve certification What sets Annex A apart from other recycled content certifications Benefits of certification How Recycled Content certification promotes continuous improvement and increases consumer confidence in your goods

Secure your spot and register today!

REGISTER NOW

Complimentary Webinar

Qualify for Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly with SCS Recycled Content Certification for Electrical & Electronic Equipment

June 6, 2024 | 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM EDT

REGISTER

Join SCS Global Services for a webinar discussing the newest addition to our Recycled Content Standard specifically for Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Certification is ideal for brands and OEMs around the globe and qualified products that meet the requirements to participate in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program.

SCS-103 Recycled Content Annex A certification requires multiple recycled material inputs, sets a minimum threshold for each recycled input, and also sets a minimum overall recycled content threshold for eligible electronic products to support a rigorous product-level claim. Products that qualify under this standard range from PCs, Laptops and accessories, gaming devices, household appliances, audio visual products, printers, mobile devices, and more.

Date: June 6, 2024 
Time: 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET

Led by Nicole Munoz, Vice President of SCS’s Environmental Certification Services division, this webinar will explore:

The requirements to achieve certification What sets Annex A apart from other recycled content certifications Benefits of certification How Recycled Content certification promotes continuous improvement and increases consumer confidence in your goods

Secure your spot and register today!

REGISTER NOW

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2023 Sustainability Report

Our 2023 Sustainability Highlights

Customers

We harnessed the power of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), innovating our products and services to help customers start, build, and grow their businesses.

Employees

We maintained gender pay parity (globally) for the ninth year in a row and ethnicity pay parity (in the U.S.) for the seventh year in a row.1

Operations 

We achieved our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% from a 2019 baseline.

About Us

We’re a trusted growth partner for millions of entrepreneurs globally.

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help small business owners manage everything in one place, and its expert guides are readily available.

OUR VISION 

To radically shift the global economy toward life-fulfilling entrepreneurial ventures.

OUR MISSION 

To empower entrepreneurs everywhere, making opportunity more inclusive for all.

OUR STRATEGY 

Everyday entrepreneurs trust their ideas with us. We guide them to build their business digitally. Our global solutions seamlessly connect their identity and presence with commerce, leading to profitable growth.

Our Products and Services 

We know the needs of entrepreneurs constantly evolve, which is why we strive to make sure our products and services evolve too. We bring the latest innovations, traditionally available only to larger enterprises, to small businesses. To conceptualize this in action, our customers benefit from dynamic and proactive business growth powered by GenAI across website building, content creation, marketing, and commerce so they can sell anything, anywhere. These evolutions complement our customers’ need for identity, presence, and commerce that continues to grow. Our products and services enable us to serve our customers through every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, with support available at each step.

At GoDaddy, our goal is to partner with our customers at every point on the Entrepreneur’s Wheel (see image in gallery above).

Our Corporate Sustainability Priorities

We aim to be a positive force for those we serve. 

At GoDaddy, we’re on a mission to empower entrepreneurs everywhere, making opportunity more inclusive for all. Our ambition to be a force for good goes beyond our commitment to entrepreneurs. It extends to our employees and the environment as we support inclusive opportunities to develop our workforce and minimize our operational footprint, helping ensure we grow responsibly and operate ethically. In support of our corporate sustainability priorities and to build a more sustainable future, we work to embed sustainability into our operations.

Prioritization Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement

We conducted an assessment in 2020 to identify priority sustainability topics, focus strategy on what matters most, and align with stakeholders’ evolving expectations. Our assessment was informed by interviews and surveys — with key stakeholders, including our executive team, internal subject matter experts, employees, and external stakeholders, in addition to a comprehensive review of industry trends, benchmarks, and risk factors. Through the assessment, we identified ten priority sustainability topics, which enable us to concentrate our efforts on the topics most impactful to our company and stakeholders.

Our Corporate Sustainability Approach 

Our ten priority topics are divided into three strategic pillars, which build the foundation of our comprehensive corporate sustainability approach.

CUSTOMERS 
We aim to empower entrepreneurs, making opportunity more inclusive for all.

Customer ExperienceInclusive EntrepreneurshipInnovation

EMPLOYEES 
We aim to build a culture that values diversity and prioritizes the importance of making opportunity inclusive for all.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)Talent Management and Engagement

OPERATIONS 
We aim to reduce our environmental impact, operate our business ethically, and manage risk appropriately.

GHG EmissionsContent SafetyCorporate GovernanceUser PrivacyWeb Security

We plan to refresh our prioritization assessment in 2024 to align with emerging regulations while helping us to better understand our impacts on society and possible sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

We identified six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on which we believe we can have the greatest impact driving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development. We periodically review our priority UN SDGs to strive for alignment with our corporate sustainability approach. As signatories to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), we commit to supporting the UNGC’s Ten Principles and annually disclose how we’re contributing to our priority UN SDGs. For more information on our progress, please review the Frameworks and Metrics section.

GoDaddy United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5: Gender Equality 
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 
Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 
Reduce inequality within and among countries.SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions 
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

To learn more, read our 2023 Sustainability Report.

###

About this Report 

The GoDaddy 2023 Sustainability Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching corporate mission and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2023. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual Sustainability Report. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector. We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please review the Frameworks and Metrics section.

1We define achievement of pay parity as pay that is equal to, or a few cents on either side of, a dollar.

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2023 Sustainability Report

Our 2023 Sustainability Highlights

Customers

We harnessed the power of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), innovating our products and services to help customers start, build, and grow their businesses.

Employees

We maintained gender pay parity (globally) for the ninth year in a row and ethnicity pay parity (in the U.S.) for the seventh year in a row.1

Operations 

We achieved our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% from a 2019 baseline.

About Us

We’re a trusted growth partner for millions of entrepreneurs globally.

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help small business owners manage everything in one place, and its expert guides are readily available.

OUR VISION 

To radically shift the global economy toward life-fulfilling entrepreneurial ventures.

OUR MISSION 

To empower entrepreneurs everywhere, making opportunity more inclusive for all.

OUR STRATEGY 

Everyday entrepreneurs trust their ideas with us. We guide them to build their business digitally. Our global solutions seamlessly connect their identity and presence with commerce, leading to profitable growth.

Our Products and Services 

We know the needs of entrepreneurs constantly evolve, which is why we strive to make sure our products and services evolve too. We bring the latest innovations, traditionally available only to larger enterprises, to small businesses. To conceptualize this in action, our customers benefit from dynamic and proactive business growth powered by GenAI across website building, content creation, marketing, and commerce so they can sell anything, anywhere. These evolutions complement our customers’ need for identity, presence, and commerce that continues to grow. Our products and services enable us to serve our customers through every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, with support available at each step.

At GoDaddy, our goal is to partner with our customers at every point on the Entrepreneur’s Wheel (see image in gallery above).

Our Corporate Sustainability Priorities

We aim to be a positive force for those we serve. 

At GoDaddy, we’re on a mission to empower entrepreneurs everywhere, making opportunity more inclusive for all. Our ambition to be a force for good goes beyond our commitment to entrepreneurs. It extends to our employees and the environment as we support inclusive opportunities to develop our workforce and minimize our operational footprint, helping ensure we grow responsibly and operate ethically. In support of our corporate sustainability priorities and to build a more sustainable future, we work to embed sustainability into our operations.

Prioritization Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement

We conducted an assessment in 2020 to identify priority sustainability topics, focus strategy on what matters most, and align with stakeholders’ evolving expectations. Our assessment was informed by interviews and surveys — with key stakeholders, including our executive team, internal subject matter experts, employees, and external stakeholders, in addition to a comprehensive review of industry trends, benchmarks, and risk factors. Through the assessment, we identified ten priority sustainability topics, which enable us to concentrate our efforts on the topics most impactful to our company and stakeholders.

Our Corporate Sustainability Approach 

Our ten priority topics are divided into three strategic pillars, which build the foundation of our comprehensive corporate sustainability approach.

CUSTOMERS 
We aim to empower entrepreneurs, making opportunity more inclusive for all.

Customer ExperienceInclusive EntrepreneurshipInnovation

EMPLOYEES 
We aim to build a culture that values diversity and prioritizes the importance of making opportunity inclusive for all.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)Talent Management and Engagement

OPERATIONS 
We aim to reduce our environmental impact, operate our business ethically, and manage risk appropriately.

GHG EmissionsContent SafetyCorporate GovernanceUser PrivacyWeb Security

We plan to refresh our prioritization assessment in 2024 to align with emerging regulations while helping us to better understand our impacts on society and possible sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

We identified six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on which we believe we can have the greatest impact driving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development. We periodically review our priority UN SDGs to strive for alignment with our corporate sustainability approach. As signatories to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), we commit to supporting the UNGC’s Ten Principles and annually disclose how we’re contributing to our priority UN SDGs. For more information on our progress, please review the Frameworks and Metrics section.

GoDaddy United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5: Gender Equality 
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 
Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 
Reduce inequality within and among countries.SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions 
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

To learn more, read our 2023 Sustainability Report.

###

About this Report 

The GoDaddy 2023 Sustainability Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching corporate mission and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2023. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual Sustainability Report. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector. We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please review the Frameworks and Metrics section.

1We define achievement of pay parity as pay that is equal to, or a few cents on either side of, a dollar.

KOHLER, Wis., May 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, officially opened the doors to its new manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event hosted by company leadership. Among those in attendance were Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, some of the new Kohler associates filling more than 400 full-time administrative and production positions, state and local officials, and Kohler customers.

The facility produces STERLING brand bath and shower fixtures and is approximately one million square feet on 216 acres with room for future expansion. The multi-million dollar capital investment features an innovative manufacturing facility, ancillary warehouse, distribution center, office space, and cafeterias. The site also includes a best-in-class showroom for customers and visitors to view leading-edge products.

“Arizona is a recognized hub of excellence for manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability, all of which are enhanced by the addition of Kohler’s new state-of-the-art facility,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “As one of the world’s most recognized brands known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Kohler strengthens Arizona’s rapidly growing manufacturing industry.”

“We welcome our new associates to Kohler Co. and look forward to being an active participant in the greater Casa Grande community, contributing to its growing economy and quality of life, providing good-paying jobs and benefits, and offering opportunities for career development and advancement,” said Norbert Schmidt, President-Kitchen & Bath North America for Kohler. “The new plant provides the capacity to support our strong growth projections for STERLING to better serve our customers with the highest level of quality and delivery. We thank our loyal customers and partners who have been crucial in helping to build our STERLING business to what it is today.”

The plant incorporates smart factory elements and production technology that create durable and stylish baths, shower receptors, and bath/shower walls. The company will also track key sustainability measures to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, water use, solid waste, as well as energy efficiency.

In March, Kohler was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to begin award negotiations for up to $51.2 million, matched by company investment, to demonstrate a commercial scale decarbonization solution at the Casa Grande plant.

Kohler is pursuing an electric boiler and microgrid system and expects the upgrades to prevent at least 7,865 MT CO2e from being released annually. This represents a reduction of at least 90% of the pressing process emissions by eliminating CO2e emissions from natural gas boilers. Kohler will incorporate electric boilers, install a 21MW solar array microgrid, utilize long-duration energy storage (LDES) batteries with 68MWh of storage, and install 12MW of HVO-capable KOHLER industrial backup generators. The LDES batteries coupled with advanced microgrid controls eliminate all possible solar curtailment scenarios and enable the facility to run the boilers on renewable energy while performing solar smoothing, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Additionally in 2023, Kohler supported a multi-year project led by Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Arizona State University, and Bridgestone to convert high water use crops to low water use crops to alleviate water stress on the local aquifers.

“The City of Casa Grande welcomes Kohler Company with open arms and is pleased that the organization has invested in us for the long-term. A global force in kitchen and bath, Kohler has established itself as a highly successful forward-thinking organization that cares for and contributes to its local communities,” said Craig McFarland, Mayor of Casa Grande. “We are proud to have Kohler as an integral member of our community.”

“Kohler’s new facility is a significant win for Casa Grande and Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Kohler’s sustainable manufacturing facility showcases Arizona’s attractiveness as a premier global destination for advanced manufacturing. We’re grateful an iconic company like Kohler is investing in our state while creating hundreds of skilled jobs in rural Arizona.”

“In opening this massive factory in Casa Grande, Kohler is capitalizing on the advantages Greater Phoenix offers in serving its customer base in the western U.S.,” said Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO. “This globally recognized brand has found a home for manufacturing, warehousing and office space, and we’re thrilled to officially welcome them into the market.”

About Kohler Co.

For more than 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in bold design and innovation, dedicated to helping people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives through its kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile, and lighting; wellness products and services; and luxury hospitality experiences and major championship golf. Privately held Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops sustainable living solutions to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. Its Innovation For Good platform addresses pressing issues, such as clean water and safe sanitation, with breakthrough products and services for underserved communities. David Kohler serves as Chair and CEO and represents the fourth generation of Kohler family leadership.

PHOTO CAPTION (MAY 14 RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY)

Kohler Co. held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event on May 14 at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, that supports growing customer demand for the company’s STERLING bath and shower fixtures. The manufacturing facility, warehouse, and office space on 216 acres comprises a total of approximately 1 million square feet, with room for future expansion, and will bring more than 400 new full-time jobs to the local market. The ceremony was attended by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Kohler Chair and CEO David Kohler, company leaders and associates, state and local officials, and Kohler customers.

Participating in the ribbon cutting were: (left to right) Tracy Jaeger, VP & GM of Bathing & Showering – Kohler Co.; John Bishopp, Plant Manager – Kohler Co.; Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland; Governor Katie Hobbs; David Kohler, Chair & CEO of Kohler Co.; Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer – Kohler Co.; Norb Schmidt, President of Kitchen & Bath North America – Kohler Co.; Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority; Heath Holtz, Chief Operations & Supply Chain Officer – Kohler Co.; and David Mortenson, Chairman – Mortensen.

###

Todd Weber

Communications Director-PR

920-457-4441, ext. 72707

todd.weber@kohler.com

Stephen Maliszewski

Director-PR

920-457-4441, ext. 70725

stephen.maliszewski@kohler.com

KOHLER, Wis., May 15, 2024 /3BL/ – Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, officially opened the doors to its new manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event hosted by company leadership. Among those in attendance were Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, some of the new Kohler associates filling more than 400 full-time administrative and production positions, state and local officials, and Kohler customers.

The facility produces STERLING brand bath and shower fixtures and is approximately one million square feet on 216 acres with room for future expansion. The multi-million dollar capital investment features an innovative manufacturing facility, ancillary warehouse, distribution center, office space, and cafeterias. The site also includes a best-in-class showroom for customers and visitors to view leading-edge products.

“Arizona is a recognized hub of excellence for manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability, all of which are enhanced by the addition of Kohler’s new state-of-the-art facility,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “As one of the world’s most recognized brands known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Kohler strengthens Arizona’s rapidly growing manufacturing industry.”

“We welcome our new associates to Kohler Co. and look forward to being an active participant in the greater Casa Grande community, contributing to its growing economy and quality of life, providing good-paying jobs and benefits, and offering opportunities for career development and advancement,” said Norbert Schmidt, President-Kitchen & Bath North America for Kohler. “The new plant provides the capacity to support our strong growth projections for STERLING to better serve our customers with the highest level of quality and delivery. We thank our loyal customers and partners who have been crucial in helping to build our STERLING business to what it is today.”

The plant incorporates smart factory elements and production technology that create durable and stylish baths, shower receptors, and bath/shower walls. The company will also track key sustainability measures to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, water use, solid waste, as well as energy efficiency.

In March, Kohler was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to begin award negotiations for up to $51.2 million, matched by company investment, to demonstrate a commercial scale decarbonization solution at the Casa Grande plant.

Kohler is pursuing an electric boiler and microgrid system and expects the upgrades to prevent at least 7,865 MT CO2e from being released annually. This represents a reduction of at least 90% of the pressing process emissions by eliminating CO2e emissions from natural gas boilers. Kohler will incorporate electric boilers, install a 21MW solar array microgrid, utilize long-duration energy storage (LDES) batteries with 68MWh of storage, and install 12MW of HVO-capable KOHLER industrial backup generators. The LDES batteries coupled with advanced microgrid controls eliminate all possible solar curtailment scenarios and enable the facility to run the boilers on renewable energy while performing solar smoothing, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Additionally in 2023, Kohler supported a multi-year project led by Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Arizona State University, and Bridgestone to convert high water use crops to low water use crops to alleviate water stress on the local aquifers.

“The City of Casa Grande welcomes Kohler Company with open arms and is pleased that the organization has invested in us for the long-term. A global force in kitchen and bath, Kohler has established itself as a highly successful forward-thinking organization that cares for and contributes to its local communities,” said Craig McFarland, Mayor of Casa Grande. “We are proud to have Kohler as an integral member of our community.”

“Kohler’s new facility is a significant win for Casa Grande and Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Kohler’s sustainable manufacturing facility showcases Arizona’s attractiveness as a premier global destination for advanced manufacturing. We’re grateful an iconic company like Kohler is investing in our state while creating hundreds of skilled jobs in rural Arizona.”

“In opening this massive factory in Casa Grande, Kohler is capitalizing on the advantages Greater Phoenix offers in serving its customer base in the western U.S.,” said Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO. “This globally recognized brand has found a home for manufacturing, warehousing and office space, and we’re thrilled to officially welcome them into the market.”

About Kohler Co.

For more than 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in bold design and innovation, dedicated to helping people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives through its kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile, and lighting; wellness products and services; and luxury hospitality experiences and major championship golf. Privately held Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops sustainable living solutions to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. Its Innovation For Good platform addresses pressing issues, such as clean water and safe sanitation, with breakthrough products and services for underserved communities. David Kohler serves as Chair and CEO and represents the fourth generation of Kohler family leadership.

PHOTO CAPTION (MAY 14 RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY)

Kohler Co. held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event on May 14 at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, that supports growing customer demand for the company’s STERLING bath and shower fixtures. The manufacturing facility, warehouse, and office space on 216 acres comprises a total of approximately 1 million square feet, with room for future expansion, and will bring more than 400 new full-time jobs to the local market. The ceremony was attended by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Kohler Chair and CEO David Kohler, company leaders and associates, state and local officials, and Kohler customers.

Participating in the ribbon cutting were: (left to right) Tracy Jaeger, VP & GM of Bathing & Showering – Kohler Co.; John Bishopp, Plant Manager – Kohler Co.; Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland; Governor Katie Hobbs; David Kohler, Chair & CEO of Kohler Co.; Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer – Kohler Co.; Norb Schmidt, President of Kitchen & Bath North America – Kohler Co.; Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority; Heath Holtz, Chief Operations & Supply Chain Officer – Kohler Co.; and David Mortenson, Chairman – Mortensen.

###

Todd Weber

Communications Director-PR

920-457-4441, ext. 72707

todd.weber@kohler.com

Stephen Maliszewski

Director-PR

920-457-4441, ext. 70725

stephen.maliszewski@kohler.com

TaroWorks, in collaboration with Qualcomm Incorporated through its Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ initiative, is excited to announce a $20,000 humanitarian technology grant is a funding opportunity for non-profit organizations dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in hard to reach environments, such as refugees and victims of conflicts or catastrophes. The TaroWorks Humanitarian Grant, offers an unprecedented opportunity for an international aid organization to revolutionize its field operations with the aim of increasing its reach, improving efficiency and maximizing its impact with Last-Mile mobile technology.

Are you an NGO committed to delivering life-saving aid through the distribution of physical goods and products? Do you struggle with disjointed and inefficient data systems hindering your ability to track distribution and measure impact effectively?

TaroWorks invites organizations around the world to apply for this grant, which will subsidize the cost of implementing cutting-edge mobile and cloud technologies to monitor field operations, manage supply chains, and maximize impact. The $20,000 grant will enable the winning organization to implement two interconnected software solutions, TaroWorks Enterprise and Salesforce.

“TaroWorks understands the critical importance of streamlining last-mile distribution for humanitarian aid organizations,” said Elaine Chang, CEO at TaroWorks. “Through our work with hundreds of non-profits and social enterprises across more than 60 countries over the past decade, we have built a solution that provides organizations unprecedented visibility into the distribution of critical goods and services to those who need it most, even in remote and offline environments.“

TaroWorks is a last-mile mobile app and field data solution empowering non-profit organizations and social enterprises to monitor field operations, manage inventory and maximize their impact. The TaroWorks & Salesforce solution has been used by over 100+ non-profits and social enterprises across over 60 countries in the world. TaroWorks was launched within and is fully owned by the Grameen Foundation, a global non-profit that enables the poor, especially women, to create a world without poverty and hunger.

The TaroWorks Enterprise mobile inventory management app that extends TaroWorks to help organizations track their supply chain, from procurement, to product transfers, to last-mile distribution – even from offline smartphones or tablets.

“Qualcomm is proud to support TaroWorks in its mission to drive innovation in humanitarian aid distribution,” said Angela Baker, Chief Sustainability Officer at Qualcomm. “We believe that leveraging mobile and cloud technology can significantly enhance the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian efforts globally.”

Grant Application Deadline and Evaluation Criteria

Organizations interested in applying for the grant can find more information and submit their proposals at https://humanitarian-grant.taroworks.org/

Applications will open on May 6, 2024 and the application deadline is June 7th, with the winner being announced by July 1st.

Learn more

TaroWorks, in collaboration with Qualcomm Incorporated through its Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ initiative, is excited to announce a $20,000 humanitarian technology grant is a funding opportunity for non-profit organizations dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in hard to reach environments, such as refugees and victims of conflicts or catastrophes. The TaroWorks Humanitarian Grant, offers an unprecedented opportunity for an international aid organization to revolutionize its field operations with the aim of increasing its reach, improving efficiency and maximizing its impact with Last-Mile mobile technology.

Are you an NGO committed to delivering life-saving aid through the distribution of physical goods and products? Do you struggle with disjointed and inefficient data systems hindering your ability to track distribution and measure impact effectively?

TaroWorks invites organizations around the world to apply for this grant, which will subsidize the cost of implementing cutting-edge mobile and cloud technologies to monitor field operations, manage supply chains, and maximize impact. The $20,000 grant will enable the winning organization to implement two interconnected software solutions, TaroWorks Enterprise and Salesforce.

“TaroWorks understands the critical importance of streamlining last-mile distribution for humanitarian aid organizations,” said Elaine Chang, CEO at TaroWorks. “Through our work with hundreds of non-profits and social enterprises across more than 60 countries over the past decade, we have built a solution that provides organizations unprecedented visibility into the distribution of critical goods and services to those who need it most, even in remote and offline environments.“

TaroWorks is a last-mile mobile app and field data solution empowering non-profit organizations and social enterprises to monitor field operations, manage inventory and maximize their impact. The TaroWorks & Salesforce solution has been used by over 100+ non-profits and social enterprises across over 60 countries in the world. TaroWorks was launched within and is fully owned by the Grameen Foundation, a global non-profit that enables the poor, especially women, to create a world without poverty and hunger.

The TaroWorks Enterprise mobile inventory management app that extends TaroWorks to help organizations track their supply chain, from procurement, to product transfers, to last-mile distribution – even from offline smartphones or tablets.

“Qualcomm is proud to support TaroWorks in its mission to drive innovation in humanitarian aid distribution,” said Angela Baker, Chief Sustainability Officer at Qualcomm. “We believe that leveraging mobile and cloud technology can significantly enhance the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian efforts globally.”

Grant Application Deadline and Evaluation Criteria

Organizations interested in applying for the grant can find more information and submit their proposals at https://humanitarian-grant.taroworks.org/

Applications will open on May 6, 2024 and the application deadline is June 7th, with the winner being announced by July 1st.

Learn more