Tag: 3BL

ATLANTA, October 27, 2023 /3BL/ – This Manufacturing Month, Georgia-Pacific celebrates the success of women in the forest products industry and recognizes the important role they play. Despite women making up just 29 percent of the industry, GP is proud to have numerous trailblazing women making an impact in non-traditional roles.

A voice leading the charge for women in manufacturing at GP is Carrie Shapiro, vice president of Sourcing Execution, who is an advocate for mentorship and visible leadership. She recently presented at the Women in Manufacturing Summit, sharing her insights and experience from being in the industry for more than 20 years. Carrie focused on what makes a great supervisor, emphasizing the value of knowing your team’s talents and maximizing those talents for the success of the business. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of building and leading high-performing teams, a crucial skill for any manufacturing leader.

GP is committed to creating a work environment where everyone is empowered, regardless of their gender or background. The company provides numerous family-friendly benefits including maternity and paternity leave and adoption assistance to help remove barriers that could prevent women from reaching their full potential.

Read Carrie’s interview with the National Association of Manufacturers as she shares her experiences and advice for women in this industry.

View original content here.

PITTSBURGH, October 27, 2023 /3BL/ – Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS), a global healthcare company, announced it has been named to 3BL’s annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking, recognizing outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies. 3BL is a news distribution platform that promotes ESG initiatives of leading companies and non-profit organizations.

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking is based on 184 ESG factors in seven pillars: climate change, employee relations, environment, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance.

“Being a responsible corporate citizen is central to supporting our mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life,” said Lina Andersson, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Viatris. “This recognition reaffirms our colleagues’ commitment to build sustainable access at scale to medicine and advance responsible operations for our stakeholders, the communities in which we live and work and the patients we serve.”

Using a methodology developed by 3BL, all companies listed on the Russell 1,000 Index used as a benchmark by investors are researched by ISS ESG, the responsible investment research arm of Institutional Shareholder Services.

To compile the ranking, corporate data and information is obtained from publicly available sources only, rather than questionnaires or company submissions. Companies have the option to verify data collected for the ranking at no cost. Data and information used in the 2023 edition of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking was collected between July 2022 to July 2023.

For access to the complete 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2023 ranking and methodology visit: https://100best.3blmedia.com/.

To learn more about Viatris’ efforts and overall impact, read Viatris’ 2022 Sustainability Report.

Being named to 3BL’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list follows 2023 accolades for Viatris, including inclusion on Forbes’ list of World’s Best Employers 2023, Newsweek’s America’s Greenest Companies 2024, TIME’s World’s Best Companies 2023 list and USA Today’s inaugural list of America’s Climate Leaders 2023. The Company has also been included on Forbes’ list of World’s Best Employers 2022, Fortune’s Change the World list, Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2022 list, a Great Place to Work® certification in India, Capital Magazine’s Best Employers in France list, and HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work for in Asia (Taiwan), among others.

About Viatris 
Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale. In 2022 alone, we supplied high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world. With our exceptionally extensive and diverse portfolio of medicines, a one-of-a-kind global supply chain designed to reach more people when and where they need them, and the scientific expertise to address some of the world’s most enduring health challenges, access takes on deep meaning at Viatris. We have the ability to touch all of life’s moments, from birth to end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases. We are headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India. Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About the 100 Best Corporate Citizens Ranking 
The 100 Best Corporate Citizens debuted in 1999 in Business Ethics Magazine and appeared annually in Corporate Responsibility Magazine for many years. 3BL has managed the ranking since 2018. To compile the ranking, each company in the Russell 1000 Index is ranked according to its transparency and performance on 184 environmental, social and governance factors.

SOURCE Viatris Inc.

For further information: MEDIA, +1.724.514.1968, Communications@viatris.com, Jennifer Mauer, Jennifer.Mauer@viatris.com, Matt Klein, Matthew.Klein@viatris.com, or INVESTORS, +1.412.707.2866, InvestorRelations@viatris.com, Bill Szablewski, William.Szablewski@viatris.com 

Originally published on Essity News Center

STOCKHOLM, October 26, 2023 /3BL/ – The hygiene and health company Essity has inaugurated the world’s first production line for professional hygiene tissue products where the raw material consists of used food and milk packaging. The facility recycles 25,000 tons per year, equivalent to 60% of all collected, sorted and recycled food and beverage cartons in France.

Since 2008, Essity’s plant in Hondouville has been the leader in recycling paper fiber from food and beverage packaging in France. The latest expansion has increased the recycling capacity by 40%. In addition to increased recycling capacity, the process also enables the recycling of almost all the materials in the packaging, including plastic and aluminum. Essity uses the fiber raw material to manufacture tissue products under the Tork brand.

Essity is constantly developing new methods to reuse materials and optimize resources, with the aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The company has similar recycling initiatives in Germany, the Netherlands and most recently in Ecuador, where Essity is collaborating with McDonald’s and the company ReciVeci to recycle paper cups from fast-food restaurants.

“A truly circular society can only be achieved if there is integrated collaboration between all members of the value chain, and our production plant in Hondouville is a role model in end to-end circular economy. The production facility provides cost-efficient and sustainable production while we take important steps toward a world with zero landfill,” says Donato Giorgio, President, Global Supply Chain at Essity.

France is Essity’s second largest market in Europe with approximately 2,300 employees and annual sales of SEK 11.7bn. Essity manufactures and sells hygiene and health products under leading brands, such as Actimove, Cutimed, Delta-Cast, Demak’Up, JOBST, Leukoplast, Lotus, Nana, Okay, TENA and Tork.

October 26, 2023 /3BL/ – As National Women’s Small Business Month shines a light on women-owned small businesses, SkysTheLimit.org, an innovative digital platform committed to fostering the growth of historically excluded entrepreneurs, is proud to connect mentors to the resources they need to enhance their commitment to empowering women founders.

With more than 12 million businesses owned by women, they produce 2.1 trillion dollars in revenue and employ more than 10.1 million workers.

Laura Plato, Chief Operating Officer of SkysTheLimit.org, says, “The majority of the entrepreneurs on Sky’s the Limit are women founders. Our focus is to provide mentors the tools to feel confident in supporting entrepreneurs in reaching their goals and ultimately develop thriving, sustainable businesses.”

Here are five ways people interested in supporting entrepreneurs can engage:

Become a Sky’s the Limit mentor: By joining Sky’s the Limit as a business mentor and advisor, you can help make a significant difference by offering encouragement, listening, coaching, and sharing valuable business skills and perspectives that entrepreneurs may need to overcome business challenges.Increase mentorship excellence by listening to and sharing “The First Buck” podcast: The First Buck podcast, hosted by Sky’s the Limit Co-Founder Nic Cary, offers inspiration for mentors, emerging entrepreneurs, and established business leaders. Each episode features success stories and insights from accomplished entrepreneurs, providing listeners with tools and motivation to thrive in the dynamic world of business. Tune in here to be equipped with the knowledge to better support entrepreneurs.Help entrepreneurs tune and amplify their business funding pitches: Throughout October and beyond, Sky’s the Limit entrepreneurs have the chance to vie for startup grants ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 by submitting online video pitches. Kickstart their businesses by helping them develop their pitch and business strategies to access these funding opportunities.Gain and share inspiration from entrepreneurs with transferrable experiences: Limitless! is a groundbreaking web series where entrepreneurs can share their experiences, insights, and strategies for success. Each episode features 2 inspirational entrepreneurs in dialogue and provides a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from entrepreneurs’ remarkable journeys, gain valuable knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain insights into building successful businesses around passion and overcoming challenges as founders. Watch episodes here.Collaborate with easy tools that help founders move their businesses forward. SkysTheLimit.org offers four free digital workbooks for mentors and entrepreneurs to work together on to get unstuck and move their businesses forward. These resources aid in business planning and strategy development. Here’s the link to download all four.

This National Women’s Small Business Month, Sky’s the Limit takes pride in celebrating the accomplishments of the thousands of entrepreneurs who have tapped into the nonprofit’s services to help advance their businesses, and the mentors who provided guidance and encouragement along the way.

“Thanks to Shelby Miller, Senior Manager at Accenture, I’ve been able to connect deeper with my customers. It also opened the door to me receiving more one-on-one clients for herbal consultations, said Jo Sesay, Founder of Black Roots on her experience working with her mentor from Sky’s the Limit.

Chelsea Harvey, Sr. Business Analyst at PNC Bank helped me talk through potential hurdles with marketing as well as sponsorships, and she gave me the optimism and tools I needed to move forward in obtaining ticket sales and sponsors,” said Alice Hong Founder of Luxardo Entertainment Group talking about her work with her Sky’s the Limit mentor.

Read more inspiring stories and transformative experiences from entrepreneurs, including Jo and Alice, here.

Sky’s the Limit offers opportunities for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs – typically those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, veterans, disabled people, and people from low-income backgrounds – to connect with mentors to come together to foster, grow, and shape modern and future enterprise. The organization has also provided over $450,000 in startup grants and educated tens of thousands of diverse entrepreneurs.

For more information about partnerships and how to get involved, please visit skysthelimit.org/partnerships.

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About SkysTheLimit.org: SkysTheLimit.org is a digital platform that connects young, historically excluded entrepreneurs with one-on-one support from experienced business advisors and mentors, entrepreneurship training, and community-voted startup grants. SkysTheLimit.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Each year, we celebrate the launch of Whole Planet Foundation on October 25, 2005 and the stakeholders, donors, and advocates who power our mission to alleviate poverty. This year, we are holding our Annual Benefit & Auction at the Whole Foods Market global office in Austin, Texas. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the Party is off to a great start! Presenting sponsors Smartwater and FlexPrint are making a massive impact with $25,000 in support from each, and Gold sponsor Studio AZUL is also helping to design and produce event signage. Whole Planet Foundation is so grateful to all of our these annual benefit sponsors for their support!

After the party, the virtual auction runs through 11:59pm CST on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Register here for free and thank you for supporting our mission to alleviate global poverty through microcredit.

New survey by Morning Consult on behalf of Abbott shows student loans are having a profound and far-reaching impact on young adults and their planning for the future91% say financial stress is impacting their mental, physical wellness and student loan debt is a key driver of this financial stress94% are interested in a workplace benefit in which they get an employer-provided 401(k) contribution as they pay off their school loansAbbott’s new blueprint of its award-winning Freedom 2 Save program helps companies create a proven student loan benefit program for their people

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., October 26, 2023 /3BL/ – Ninety-one percent of young adults with student loans are so stressed about money they say it’s impacting their physical and mental wellness, according to a new survey by Morning Consult on behalf of Abbott (NYSE: ABT). A key driver of that financial stress is student loan debt.

In 2018 Abbott tackled the student debt crisis head-on with its first-of-its-kind, award-winning Freedom 2 Save program that helps employees pay off their student loans while also saving for the future.

Now — with college tuition at a historic high, student loan debt exceeding $1 trillion and payments of federal student loans resuming after a more than three-year pause — Abbott is encouraging other employers to join in this effort with the launch of the Freedom 2 Save blueprint.

The blueprint guides employers through the process of developing and implementing a benefit like Freedom 2 Save.

Enacting this type of program will be easier starting in January 2024, thanks to a new federal law called the SECURE 2.0 Act, a provision of which was inspired by Freedom 2 Save. No longer will employers have to receive a private letter ruling from the IRS like Abbott had to do when creating the Freedom 2 Save program.

“Employees with student loans often have to choose between paying their school debt and saving for retirement. That’s problematic because people who delay saving for the future will find it hard to catch up,” said Mary Moreland, executive vice president, Human Resources, Abbott. “The good news is that employers can help relieve some of this burden with a program like Freedom 2 Save. Our blueprint will help simplify the process.”

IMPACT OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT 
Tens of millions of U.S. borrowers collectively owe $1.57 trillion in student loans, making them the third-largest form of consumer debt after mortgages and auto loans.

This student loan debt is having a profound and far-reaching impact on young adults, according to the Morning Consult survey of more than 500 people ages 18-39 with student loans. The data reinforce the need for workplace programs that help tackle the student debt crisis.

In fact, 94% of young adults with student debt expressed interest in an employer-provided 401(k) contribution as they pay off their school loans.

Other key findings among those surveyed:

86% are concerned about having to resume federal student loan payments this month.63% didn’t pay their federal student loans at all during the three-year pause.And for 46%, student loans have impacted how much they contribute to their retirement plans.

Among those whose retirement savings has been impacted by student loan debt:

86% have reduced the amount of money they contribute to their retirement account.55% stopped contributing to their retirement plan.And 44% have withdrawn money from their retirement account.

“As the number of people with student loans grows, employees will increasingly be looking for companies to offer student loan repayment solutions that help them forge their financial futures,” said Stacey MacPhetres, senior director, Education Finance, Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions. “This is a workplace benefit that employers need to seriously consider if they want to attract and retain key talent.”

AN EMPLOYEE‘S PERSPECTIVE 
When Cynthia Chan, a supply chain logistics planner in Abbott’s vascular business, was job hunting, Freedom 2 Save was one of the factors that drew her to the company.

“I accumulated about $15,000 in student debt after earning my master’s degree in chemical engineering and had no idea how I’d be able to pay my loans and save money for my future,” said Chan. “Freedom 2 Save lifted that weight off my shoulders. I’ve paid off nearly $5,000 while also saving for retirement, and can now see a time in the near future when I’ll be free of this debt.”

For those who choose to take advantage of Abbott’s innovative program like Chan, here’s what it could look like:

Employees who join Abbott in their early 20s with starting annual pay of $70,000 and take advantage of this program could see $48,000 accumulate in their 401(k) accounts after 10 years, assuming a 5% annual return and yearly merit pay increases of 2% — without any 401(k) contribution of their own. That amount could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional retirement savings by age 60.

“Our people have invested a lot in their education, and we don’t want that to keep them from saving while they’re still young,” said Moreland. “We encourage other companies to download our blueprint and join us in this effort. Together we can help employees take on student loans and savings.”

About Freedom 2 Save: 
Through Freedom 2 Save, employees who are eligible for the company’s 401(k) and who apply at least 2% of their eligible salary toward paying down a qualifying student loan will receive a 5% company contribution into their Abbott 401(k) annually. Employees don’t have to put any money into their 401(k) to get this company contribution. Abbott was named to Fortunemagazine’s 2023 “Change the World” list for Freedom 2 Save, and the company was recognized by Pensions & Investments with an Innovation Award for the program. Freedom 2 Save was also featured in an essay in the book “The Future of Building Wealth: Brief Essays on the Best Ideas to Build Wealth — for Everyone,” published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in partnership with the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program.

About the SECURE 2.0 Act: 
Thanks to a provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act that was inspired by Freedom 2 Save, employers will be able to match student loan payments made by their employees with tax-advantaged contributions into their retirement accounts starting in January 2024.

Morning Consult Methodology: 
The total sample size was 501 U.S. adults aged 18-39 who have continued with some form of education after high school, have existing student loan debt and live in a major U.S. market. The responding sample is weighted to the profile of the sample definition to provide a representative reporting sample. Interviews were conducted online in September 2023.

About Abbott: 
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

SOURCE Abbott

For further information: Abbott Media: Christine Moyer, (847) 345-0321

CNH Industrial demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable future with the eighth edition of A Sustainable Year. The digital magazine features innovation and sustainability developments from the past year, and complements the publication of the company’s latest Sustainability Report. This edition focuses on key priorities for CNH: Carbon Footprint; Circularity & Eco-Efficiency; and Inclusion, Equity & Engagement.

This edition spotlights how the company made a positive impact as a business. CNH supported local communities around the world through education and youth training. From R&D, they showcased New Holland Agriculture’s (a brand of CNH Industrial) T7 LNG Methane Power Tractor, the first dynamic simulator for agriculture; and their electrified agriculture and construction machinery. Investments in agronomic tech, advancements in automation, and excellence in remanufacturing were also showcased.

The publication also includes thought leadership pieces from industry and academic experts who provide insight on implementing sustainable practices.

All the stories in A Sustainable Year are a testament to CNH’s role in sustainably advancing the noble work of farmers and builders. The company’s achievements continue to be recognized with their inclusion in the Top 1% of the S&P Global ESG Score 2022 and continued place in the CDP annual A-List for efforts in tackling climate change.

Read the interactive digital magazine at:

Even after 22 years at Covia, I can’t help but feel inspired and motivated by the internal fortitude and talent of my fellow Team Members. From navigating uncharted territory during down markets and mergers to establishing solid internal structures and foundations, I am incredibly proud to be a part of this team and can’t wait to see what the future brings.

A Drive to Serve

From a young age, I was always drawn to service. Many of my family members, including my brother, father, and several great uncles served in the US military. This desire led me to join the ROTC during my undergraduate studies at West Virginia University.

I graduated in May of 1992 and was commissioned as second lieutenant in the United States Army at Fort Lee, Virginia.

I spent one year active-duty before spending the rest of my 13-year career in the US Army reserves. The military gave me so much – a global family, structure, discipline, a healthy lifestyle, and the ability to multitask. All traits that would help guide me professionally and personally – especially as life threw obstacles my way.

In 2004, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. At the same time, my second child was on the way, and I was being called up from the Army reserves for deployment to Iraq. Due to my condition, I was medically disqualified and was medically discharged from the military. Leaving the military forced me to reconsider my plans and goals. While I still had a desire to serve, I had to change my focus to my civilian life.

At the time I was heartbroken. Thinking back on it now, though, I am reminded of lyrics from an old Garth Brooks song, …“thank God for unanswered prayers.” While it drastically changed my life plan at the time, it allowed me to focus on my young family and my civil-ian career. As I reflect, I can confidently say that I’m grateful for the challenges l was able to face and overcome. Because of this, I learned to take life as it comes – a skill that has helped me thrive in my career.

Leading by Example

I began working at Covia in November of 2001. I started off as a generalist, selling into the glass, ceramic, foundry, energy and refractory industry in the Northeast. I worked in that role for ten years until the energy market began to take off. At that point I was able to take the next step in my career, becoming the head of the field sales team for our energy busi-ness.

In this role, it is my job to ensure Covia has complete coverage in all current and emerging basins – making sure we are maximizing movement of volume from our energy sand plants. I spend a lot of my time focusing on the market and making sure our key accounts have adequate, in-depth coverage.

In addition to my sales responsibilities, I am also a member of Covia’s Senior Leadership Team. While I may not be a fan of titles, it is my job to inspire my team – encouraging them to grow into the best versions of themselves. I have always found this to be far more pro-ductive than “managing” people. I like to think that being a good leader is about being ap-proachable and kind – giving equal respect and attention to every Team Member regard-less of position, and putting in the hard work alongside my team.

From a strategy standpoint, Covia is doing better now than ever before. I am impressed by how adaptable and strategic our team has become in recent years. I love my job and have enjoyed watching our strategy evolve over time to best serve our clients.

Strengthening Bonds

Looking back at my time at Covia, one accomplishment stands out among the rest. Years ago, our team was working on securing a particular contract. We had worked with this cus-tomer once before, but the terms of the contract were rather loose. Our team wanted to redefine the relationship – ensuring it was beneficial for both parties.

After an extended series of difficult conversations and negotiations, it felt as though the deal was going to fall through. Luckily, we were able to help secure a much tighter, more favorable contract with the customer– strengthening our overall relationship. I attribute this success to our collaborative, customer focused approach, using clear, level-headed com-munication.

I am incredibly proud of the evolution of that relationship and how strong a partnership we helped to form. We turned what could have been the loss of a valuable customer into be-ing their number one material supplier.

Reaching New Heights

Covia has changed immensely since I began my career. I am impressed by how far we have come and the foundation that every Team Member has helped to create.

I am thrilled about the development of Covia’s first Veterans Network within the organiza-tion. I am looking forward to helping establish a community for veterans, by veterans. I look forward to sharing experiences, but also creating benefits for the organization and our communities.

To learn more about how Covia provides an exceptional workplace experience and helps Team Members thrive personally and professionally, visit our 2022 ESG Report.

California has outpaced the US federal government in leading the country on climate-related disclosures with SB 253 and SB 261 signed into law. California’s upcoming laws will affect the vast majority of large U.S. corporates. Those with over $500M in revenue will fall under SB 261 and be required to carry out reporting on climate-related financial risks and opportunities. A smaller tier of companies with $1B in revenue would additionally be required to disclose GHG emissions, including value chain or scope 3 emissions. 

Join Bonnie Holman, Managing Director of SCS Consulting Services, and Karen Righthand, Vice President of Marketing at SCS Global Services to discuss the major components of SB 261 and SB 253 and what these laws mean for companies doing business in California. We’ll address the major areas of the bills and how companies can prepare. With the US SEC climate rule anticipated to be finalized soon, we’ll explain the distinctions between the SEC proposed rule and California’s requirements and what that might mean for future alignment.

We cover the principle resources that companies can begin to utilize today to prepare for legal compliance. And finally, we’ll cover overlap with the recently proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) climate rules, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and other timely updates.

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR NOW

For inquiries, please contact:

Bonnie Holman 
Managing Director of SCS Consulting Services 
Email: bholman@scsglobalservices.com

Originally published by The Royal Gazette

Drinks giant Bacardi has flipped the switch to solar.

The largest privately held international spirits company has installed 444 solar panels on the roof of its world headquarters building on Pitts Bay Road in Pembroke.

The solar installation is part of a “greener makeover” at Bacardi.

Other initiatives include a new chiller system that will cut the building’s total energy usage; four large tanks on the roof to capture rainwater; newly installed LED lighting; and the energy management system, which provides real-time monitoring to enable Bacardi to determine where more efficiencies can be implemented.

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