Tag: 3BL

Schneider Electric

Embracing new challenges, seizing opportunities, and making a positive impact on the environment are all possible in the world of Supply Chain. As someone who started their career as a Design Engineer and later transitioned into Supply Chain at Schneider Electric, I’ve experienced firsthand the transformative power of embracing change. Along the way, I’ve experienced living in a new country, and discovered the immense potential of Supply Chain to drive sustainability initiatives and create a better future for all.

Discovering New Horizons

When I joined Schneider Electric in 2011, I never imagined the diverse opportunities that lay ahead. As a manufacturing supervisor at the Monterrey Design Center Model shop, I gained valuable experience in industrial machines, schedules, and materials management. However, the desire to explore a different domain and work in a different country led me to pursue a role in Supply Chain.

Little did I know that this decision would shape my career and personal growth in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

The French Adventure

Through the ‘Marco Polo Program’, an exchange program for high-performing young professionals, I found myself moving to France for a new role as a Supply Chain leader for the Offer Creation process in Power Products. The challenges were immense, from language barriers to understanding complex supply chain concepts, and then training my team on how to use it. Yet, with determination, hard work, and countless hours of studying, I not only adapted to my new role but also became an expert in supply chain management and planning tool.

Embracing the French experience fully, my husband and I even tried snowboarding because we were living so close to the French Alps, resulting in a broken elbow halfway through the season but unforgettable memories.

Returning to North America

After two transformative years in France, it was time to return to North America. I accepted a position in Nashville as a Sales Inventory Operations and Planning Leader, further expanding my expertise in Supply Chain. The opportunities continued to unfold, and I eventually became the North America Supply Chain leader.

Inspired by my passion for training and research, I decided to join one of Schneider’s career growth programs, leveraging my skills to make a meaningful impact. Driven by employees, this program not only nurtures career growth and expands exposure through training and sponsorship but also amplifies connections with pivotal business leaders.

Driving Sustainability in Supply Chain

One of the most rewarding experiences I had was working on the launch of a new low-voltage switchboard known as FlexSet, Schneider’s new award winning low-voltage switchboard in North America. In designing the supply chain process for the launch of this product, I focused on sustainability initiatives, such as using returnable crates and environmentally friendly packaging.

The potential for green actions in Supply Chain is immense, from choosing regional suppliers to reducing CO2 emissions to optimizing flows and minimizing waste. Supply Chain offers such a unique opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable world.

Making a Difference Beyond Work

At Schneider Electric, I am proud to be part of the Hispanic Employee Resource Network and serve as the Director for Outreach activities, which involve donations and volunteering. Through the Schneider Electric Foundation, we have supported the nonprofit organization ECE (Equal Chance for Education), providing scholarships and opportunities to DACA recipients. Witnessing the impact we have on underprivileged minorities and seeing ECE graduates join Schneider Electric is a source of immense pride.

Resilience, Adaptability, and Success

Throughout my journey, I have faced numerous challenges, both technical and interpersonal. Navigating uncomfortable conversations, managing a large team, and learning new languages and software were just a few of the obstacles I encountered. However, through resilience, adaptability, and hard work, I overcame these challenges and achieved personal and professional success. I learned that hard work alone is not the sole key to success; it must be coupled with focus, passion, and a willingness to embrace change.

As I reflect on my journey to a Supply Chain leader at Schneider Electric, I am grateful for the opportunities, growth, and impact I have experienced. I’ve learnt that hard work does pay off and you need to remember, just because you are taking more time than others to achieve what you want, that doesn’t mean you have failed.

Find what you enjoy and build your vision, like a pro chess player, and be mindful that the finer details of your goal might change in the long term, because so is life. If you ask me what role I wanted to land 10 years ago when I joined Schneider, I would have answered something different from the one I have today. So my advice to you? Keep your options open and seize new opportunities!

Recently, KeyBank Senior Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 1097632, Raul Gongora and Corporate Responsibility Officer Mattie Jones-Hollowell appeared on “New Day Cleveland” on WJW-TV to discuss Key’s commitment to its hometown of Cleveland and ways banks can help make homebuying and homeownership easier.

Watch the KeyBank home lending and community investment segment on FOX 8/WJW-TV

In 2023, KeyBank supported 12 non-profit organizations with grants totaling more than $6 million to further their missions of bettering Northeast Ohio. The grant dollars support workforce development, education, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These investments are part of KeyBank’s commitment to help clients, communities and organizations thrive.

Learn more about KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive

KeyBank Member FDIC. NMLS #399797. Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed. KeyBank extends credit secured by residential real estate without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status.NOTICE: This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Conditions and restrictions may apply. All mortgage products are subject to credit and collateral approval. Mortgage products are available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Hazard insurance and, if applicable, flood insurance are required on collateral property. Actual rates, fees, and terms are based on those offered as of the date of application and are subject to change without notice. © 2024 KeyCorp. CFMA# 240117-2405629

The logistics and transportation sector contributes more than one-third of the world’s carbon emissions, according to the IEA. Freight accounts for nearly 8%, but when combined with warehousing operations, grows to 11%, according to the MIT Supply Chains Initiative.

“While these numbers may seem daunting, they also reveal an opportunity for the logistics and transport sector to become a driving force in the transition to a decarbonized future,” writes Terry Donohoe, senior vice president of freight forwarding for DP World Americas, in a recent article published in Logistics & Transportation Review. “Within the supply chain ecosystem, freight forwarders will increasingly play a pivotal role in driving sustainability, digitalization, and resilience across the industry.”

The article discusses the significant role of the logistics and transportation sector in global carbon emissions, highlighting the opportunities for freight forwarders to lead the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Here is a summary highlighting the key messages and takeaways:

Carbon Footprint of Logistics and Transportation: The logistics and transportation sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, with freight and warehousing operations accounting for nearly 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This presents a critical opportunity for the sector to drive substantial change in reducing its carbon footprint.Freight Forwarding as a Pivotal Player: Freight forwarders, crucial in global trade, manage complex shipping processes involving multiple carriers and regulatory challenges, especially for international shipments. Their expertise in optimizing shipments and navigating import/export regulations positions them as key players in driving industry-wide sustainability and efficiency.Focus on Sustainability: The article emphasizes the growing pressure on freight forwarders to enhance sustainability and minimize their carbon emissions. Strategies include optimizing supply chains, consolidating shipments, reducing transportation distances, and utilizing energy-efficient transport methods like electric or alternative fuel vehicles. Multimodal transportation, combining different methods like trains, trucks, and ships, is also gaining traction for its efficiency and reduced emissions.Role of Digitalization: Digital technologies are transforming freight forwarding by enabling better shipment consolidation, efficient warehouse management, and reduced energy consumption. Advanced logistics software, route optimization, and predictive analytics help in identifying efficient routes and anticipating disruptions. The potential of blockchain technology for enhancing transparency and optimizing routes is also highlighted.Building Resilience: The article stresses the importance of resilience in supply chains, illustrated by recent disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage. Freight forwarders are investing in diversifying supply chains, developing risk management strategies, and utilizing data analytics for informed decision-making. Reducing supply chain touchpoints and consolidating management with end-to-end partners are also key strategies to enhance resilience.Consolidation and Streamlining: The article notes a trend towards consolidating suppliers to streamline operations, as supported by a survey indicating that 28% of respondents are considering this approach. This trend reflects the increasing complexity of supply chains and the value of end-to-end solutions.

The article concludes that sustainability, digitalization, and resilience are not just trendy concepts but essential principles shaping the future of logistics. Freight forwarders are central to driving this change, reducing emissions, optimizing operations, and strengthening supply chains against disruptions. Their role is crucial in paving the way for a decarbonized, digitalized, and resilient logistics sector.

Access the full article here: Navigating a Sustainable, Digitalized, and Resilient Future: The Role of Freight Forwarders

Comfort Colors’® proprietary dyeing process, Pigment Pure™, made an exciting new debut at the Impressions Expo last week. Dyeing is known to be a water-intensive step in apparel making, and Pigment Pure™ is a solution tackling just that by reducing water and energy use during the manufacturing process.

We sat down with Kevin Freeman, Vice-President of Product Merchandising and Development and Maria Frohmader, Vice-President of Textiles and Dyeing at Gildan Activewear (owner of Comfort Colors®), to better understand the dyeing process, and learn about some of its sustainability attributes.

Can you start by telling us a bit more about Comfort Colors®?

Kevin: Comfort Colors® is our lifestyle brand, known for the softness of its materials, as well as the comfort that comes from using 100% ring-spun U.S. cotton. Comfort Colors® t-shirts are wardrobe staples that are known for radiating positivity or “Spreading Good Vibes” as we say.  

This brand is extremely popular among our consumers for its nature-inspired hues, something which has become a unique selling point for it. Of course, this means that dyeing plays an important role in producing these well-loved colours.

Can you walk us through the Pigment Pure™ method?

Maria: A common dyeing method used for cotton in our industry is known as reactive dyeing which is where the dye forms a bond with the fibre. Pigment Pure™, however, dyes fabric on a surface level, allowing us to produce subtle, vintage-looking colours, and ultimately maintain the nature-inspired shades for which the brand is known.  

This method uses a set palette of base colours which are mixed and matched to produce the vast array of shades we have in our product line. In addition, it allows us to maintain shade consistency, has incredible attributes for printability, and even reduces chemical discharge.

Kevin: What’s exciting about Pigment Pure™ is that beyond its ability to produce beautiful fabric, it has interesting environmental and manufacturing advantages. For instance, when compared to reactive dyeing, the dyeing time is reduced by approximately 40% with Pigment Pure™, allowing us to save on both water and energy, and making Comfort Colors® t-shirts a great lower-impact choice.1  
1. The data on the Pigment Pure™ process are based on approximate comparisons with conventional reactive dyeing.

How did you go about developing this dyeing method?

Maria: We are consistently searching for new ways to optimize our manufacturing process, looking at every stage of production to find new or more efficient techniques in making our apparel. Pigment Pure™ was brought to life after years of research and development and continuously optimizing the process.

What’s great about this method is that it improves the dyeing process from three angles – conserving resources, saving time, and enhancing the performance of our end products. So, it’s a win-win from an environmental, manufacturing, and product standpoint!  

What are some environmental benefits of Pigment Pure™?

Maria: Dyeing is traditionally one of the most water-intensive processes in the clothing production cycle. At Gildan, we are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, and Pigment Pure™ is a perfect example of that as it uses on average three times less water and consumes less energy which in turn reduces our emissions footprint.1 It also supports our Climate, Energy, and Water targets established as part of our Next Generation ESG strategy, where we committed to reducing water withdrawal from nature by 20% by 2030 (compared to a 2018 baseline), as well reducing our absolute Scope 12 and 23 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 (compared to a 2018 baseline).
1. The data on the Pigment Pure™ process are based on approximate comparisons with conventional reactive dyeing.
2. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions resulting from fuels used for stationary and mobile combustion across Gildan-operated facilities.
3. Scope 2 refers to emissions resulting from Gildan’s purchase of electricity.

What exciting doors has Pigment Pure™ opened for you?

Kevin: For us, the best part was the plethora of prospects that Pigment Pure™ offered and continues to offer us. For instance, experimenting with Pigment Pure™ allowed us to develop our Color Blast product line. Color Blast is a collection of gorgeous tie dye looking t-shirts. It’s a beautiful product line that helps us differentiate ourselves from our basic blank t-shirts and has allowed us to reach new customers.  

What is some of the customer feedback you’ve received from this process?

Kevin: We receive overwhelmingly positive feedback on our Comfort Colors® products due to the enhanced performance of the t-shirts. As mentioned earlier, Pigment Pure™ helps us achieve the perfect vintage shades that customers love, a soft and comfortable feel which increases wearability, as well as improved attributes for printability. Most importantly, our customers care about the environmental benefits of Pigment Pure™, truly making Comfort Colors® a well-loved brand. 

To learn more about Comfort Colors®, click here. 

High school graduates in Pinellas County will receive scholarships to attend the local college for freeFunding reinforces company’s support for St. Petersburg College, as well as a shared commitment to create a diverse, skilled workforce that is representative of the communities we serve

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., February 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Duke Energy Florida announced a $50,000 donation to St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) Promise Scholarship program to provide 2024 graduates of eight Pinellas County high schools with the opportunity to attend SPC at no cost to them.

The funding from Duke Energy Florida will provide upcoming high school graduates with an opportunity to get their tuition and fees completely covered as they obtain associate degrees or financial aid-eligible certificates.

“Duke Energy Florida and SPC have a long-standing history thanks to a shared commitment to uplifting the communities we serve,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We are grateful for the decades of successful collaboration with SPC that ranges from staging crews at their campus during storms to educating generations of our employees to the creation and success of the Electrical Lineworker program. We are proud to support this scholarship opportunity that we believe will have a lasting impact on tomorrow’s workforce as well as generations to come.”

SPC’s Promise Scholarship was launched last year as a pilot program for graduates of five area high schools with the highest poverty rates in Pinellas County. In 2023, more than 460 students received the scholarship. The college also announced last year that it has increased the number of high schools participating in the program to eight.

“This generous donation from Duke Energy helps us continue our promise to educate students into better jobs, better lives and better futures,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, SPC president. “We have collaborated with Duke Energy on many initiatives over the years and greatly appreciate their continued support of SPC and our students. They are intentional in their philanthropic endeavors, always striving to advance the community.”

Scholarship monies are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an SPC application is submitted, students will be sent the next steps.

More details on the scholarship are available at spc.edu/promisescholarship.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

St. Petersburg College

Founded in 1927, St. Petersburg College (SPC) is Florida’s first two-year college. Regionally accredited and nationally recognized, SPC offers more than 200 degree, certificate and transfer programs, including many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications. The college’s career-focused curriculum is created with input from industry experts to provide students with real-world skills needed to meet the needs of today’s employers.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko 
Media line: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

St. Petersburg College media contact: Samantha Stanich 
Phone: 727.341.4195 
Email: Stanich.Samantha@SPCollege.edu

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As 2024 unfolds, it is clear that brands will continue to navigate a world in which their actions, statements, and policies are scrutinized not only for their economic impact but also for their social impact. Navigating social issues requires a delicate balance, as missteps can result in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and even financial repercussions.

In our latest issue of Navigating ESG Comms Through the Cosmos – Aquarius Edition, 3BL explores how to negotiate the current business landscape and…

Noteworthy trends in sustainability and social impact, such as the 54th annual World Economic Forum, AI uncertainty, ongoing book bans, and more.The opportunity to utilize impact communication to educate key stakeholders on your commitments and advocate for positive change.What the highest-grossing published content categories were in the past month on the 3BL platform.How brands can draw inspiration from Aquarius’ revolutionary spirit in addressing social issues and maximizing their impact

See what insights Aquarius has in store this month. 

ROCHESTER, N.Y., February 1, 2024 /3BL/ – According to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch, January marks the 34th consecutive month of job growth for U.S. small businesses. Wage growth for workers continues to stabilize in the new year with hourly earnings growth remaining essentially unchanged since November at 3.47%.

“As we begin 2024, job growth in small businesses is continuing at a steady pace,” says John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. “Nationally, wage growth remains stable despite 65 minimum wage changes taking effect in various states and localities on January 1. Small and medium-sized businesses remain resilient in the face of many challenges, including a tight labor market for qualified workers, the cost of and access to capital, rising employer regulations, and cost of providing benefits to attract and retain employees.”

“Several macroeconomic data sources point to a strong close to 2023,” adds Gibson. “Gross domestic product (GDP) increased 3.3% in the fourth quarter while the annual unemployment rate hit its lowest point since 1969, signaling federal policymakers have managed to bring down inflation and secure a ‘soft landing’ without major repercussions for workers or the economy. Policymakers need to address the cost and access to growth capital for small businesses, as well as the long term-issues impacting the labor market — including the participation rate and the quality of the workforce — to support the continued growth of small businesses, which drives the U.S. economy.”

Jobs Index Highlights:

At 100.69, the national index indicates continued job growth but at a slower pace.With indexes above 100, all regions continue to report positive job growth in January. The South (101.12) leads the pace of regional job growth in January and has ranked first among regions for 16 of the last 17 months.Leading the South, Tennessee (102.19), Texas (102.06), and Virginia (102.01) are all reporting index levels above 102 in January.Ranked first among top U.S. metros in January, Dallas jumped 1.60 percentage points to 103.30 and has now increased its job growth rate for three-straight months.Education and Health Services (101.91) leads industries for small business job growth to start 2024. Indicating strong, sustained job growth, this sector’s jobs index was above 102 for 33 consecutive months leading up to January 2024.

Wage Data Highlights:

At 3.47%, hourly earnings growth has stabilized and is essentially unchanged over the past three months (3.48% in December 2023, 3.49% in November 2023).At 4.03%, the West leads regional hourly earnings growth for the eighth consecutive month. The South (3.33%) has the lowest hourly earnings growth rate among regions.Washington’s 5.17% hourly earnings growth in January is the highest among states for the sixth consecutive month.Seattle reports 5.27% hourly earnings growth in January, the fifth consecutive month over five percent, and ranked first among top U.S. metros.Construction has the strongest weekly hours worked among sectors for January, up 0.32% since December. Leisure and Hospitality also experienced strong one-month hourly earnings growth (5.10%).

The complete Small Business Employment Watch results for January 2024, including interactive charts detailing the data at a national, regional, state, metro, and industry sector level are available at www.paychex.com/watch. Learn more and sign up to receive monthly Employment Watch alerts.

About the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch 
The Paychex Small Business Employment Watch is released each month by Paychex, Inc. Focused exclusively on businesses with less than 50 workers, the monthly report offers analysis of national employment and wage trends, as well as examines regional, state, metro, and industry sector activity. Drawing from the payroll data of approximately 350,000 Paychex clients, this powerful industry benchmark delivers real-time insights into the small business trends driving the U.S. economy.

About Paychex 
Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is an industry-leading HCM company delivering a full suite of technology and advisory services in human resources, employee benefit solutions, insurance, and payroll. The company serves approximately 740,000 customers in the U.S. and Europe and pays one out of every 12 American private sector employees. The more than 16,000 people at Paychex are committed to helping businesses succeed and building thriving communities where they work and live. Visit paychex.com to learn more.

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Media Contacts 
Chris Muller 
Paychex, Inc. 
585-338-4346 
cmuller@paychex.com 
@Paychex

Colleen Bennis 
Matter Communications 
Account Director 
(585) 666-9510 
cbennis@matternow.com

Saundra Wilson, Senior Fleet Manager, received Exelon’s Powering Communities Employee Volunteer Award, the organization’s highest achievement for volunteerism and community involvement, for her work with Loving Our Cities. Alongside Saundra’s recognition, Loving Our Cities also received a $5,000 grant to invest in its community support programs.

For nine years, Saundra has worked with Loving Our Cities, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of life within its communities. Saundra volunteers each Saturday at the Hope Winslow Mobile Food Pantry, helping distribute food to community members and use the skills she gained as a trainer at Atlantic City Electric to help register and organize the members.

Recently, Saundra celebrated her 38th anniversary of working at Atlantic City Electric. She credits the business with her motivation for volunteering, “The company has been great with servicing me, providing me opportunities to work, to learn, to get educated, and I feel like I need to give back to the community and the company promotes that.”

In 2022, Atlantic City Electric employees volunteered more than 10,000 hours – which is more than 1,250 workdays – to support 125 different events throughout South Jersey. This volunteerism is on top of the approximately $1.2 million Atlantic City Electric contributed to local nonprofits.

Atlantic City Electric is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Atlantic City Electric provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy service to approximately 565,000 customers in southern New Jersey.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AtlanticCityElectric, and on Twitter at twitter.com/AcEleCconnect. Atlantic City Electric’s mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/MobileApp.

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GRI North America is excited to announce that after two years of development, GRI will release GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024, which updates, expands, and replaces GRI 304: Biodiversity 2016. A launch webinar will be hosted on February 1st, 10:30 AM ET featuring speakers from Birdlife, UEBT and BNP Paribas Asset Management.

GRI 101 helps organizations to better understand which decisions and business practices lead to biodiversity loss, where in their value chain impacts occur, and how they can be managed. This, in turn, will support organizations to be more resilient to system shocks, and respond to global concerns about biodiversity loss and raising awareness from consumers, investors and other stakeholders. The disclosures in the new Biodiversity Standard align with the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and are consistent with the TNFD recommendations and ESRS standard on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Recently, GRI’s Head of North America participated in the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Business and Nature Summit, contributing to two sessions where nature took center stage in the discussions. In the first session, GRI participated in an open conversation about the nature-related reporting landscape. The discussion covered how standards, frameworks, and science-based targets work together, providing organizations with a strong foundation to navigate jurisdictional happenings like the EU’s CSRD as well as increasing stakeholder expectations. GRI was pleased to join the session with organizations it has closely partnered with over recent years. Two organizations on GRI’s Technical Committee to revise the GRI Biodiversity Standard were represented in the session: CDP and SBTN. TNFD was also represented, which has been a close collaborator of GRI. Both organizations mutually contributed technical expertise during the development of the TNFD framework and the revision of the GRI Biodiversity Standard.

“The interoperability and the fact that we developed the TNFD framework with our knowledge partners is a key point. I would highlight that the journey that you advance in nature is already valuable. Whether you fill in a CDP forest questionnaire or whether with GRI reporting you have already prioritized nature related issues as part of your materiality determination process or even if you disclose using the biodiversity standard.”

TNFD Representative

In the second session, a Q&A session unfolded, featuring key players from PNB Paribas, Domini Impact, and CERES. The focal point? Nature Action 100, a global investor initiative to address the urgent crisis of nature and biodiversity loss. It’s become increasingly evident that capital markets are interested in understanding the impacts and dependencies that businesses have on biodiversity. Failure to disclose or engage in biodiversity-related issues is now being raised as a red flag by investors. Organizations using the GRI Standards are able to report their impacts including impacts on nature, providing useful decision information to stakeholder groups, including investors.

We are building a clean energy future by investing in projects like Georgia Power Company‘s Vogtle Units 3 & 4. Learn how the newly built nuclear units are leading us to a brighter tomorrow.

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