Tag: 3BL

In today’s logistics race, the final stretch is often the hardest to win. Last-mile delivery is costly, unpredictable, and critical for customer satisfaction. But as highlighted in DP World’s new AI Playbook – Smarter, Safer, Stronger: How AI Can Transform the Global Supply Chain – artificial intelligence (AI) is helping logistics leaders find smarter, faster, and greener ways to cross the finish line.

The Last Mile Challenge

For logistics leaders, the final leg of delivery has always been the most demanding. The “last mile” is complex, costly, and unpredictable, yet it’s also where customer satisfaction is won or lost. Traffic congestion, weather disruptions, fluctuating fuel prices, and labor shortages make execution difficult. At the same time, e-commerce growth and rising customer expectations are pushing delivery networks to their limits.

This is where AI is reshaping the game. By integrating real-time data and predictive modeling, AI is enabling logistics providers to turn one of the industry’s greatest challenges into a strategic advantage.

Smarter Routes, Stronger Performance

AI-powered delivery systems continuously analyze variables such as traffic patterns, weather conditions, carrier availability, and fuel costs to determine the most efficient routes. Beyond speed, these tools optimize for sustainability and cost-effectiveness, helping companies lower emissions while boosting profitability.

As Glen Clark, CEO of DP World in the U.S. and Mexico and Regional Head of Contract Logistics, explains: “Whether a customer is routing their product via different modal methods, through different countries or with different service providers, we can use data modeling and scenario planning for better predictability.”

The result is more than just faster deliveries – companies gain a competitive edge with optimized costs, reduced carbon output, and improved reliability.

From Planning to Real-Time Execution

AI doesn’t just help design smarter delivery routes; it transforms execution. With AI-driven visibility platforms, logistics teams can:

• Track shipments live and provide customers with real-time updates.
• Automatically adjust estimated delivery times (ETAs).
• Reroute shipments instantly when disruptions occur.

This level of responsiveness ensures fewer delays, more accurate forecasting, and higher customer trust. In the fast-moving world of e-commerce, where transparency and predictability are non-negotiable, these capabilities are quickly becoming essential.

Sustainability Meets Efficiency

Sustainability goals are no longer optional – they’re demanded by regulators, investors, and consumers alike. AI supports greener logistics by reducing unnecessary stops, balancing load distribution, and cutting fuel consumption. By embedding these efficiencies into last-mile operations, companies not only meet environmental expectations but also lower costs and improve delivery performance.

The Future of Fulfillment

As consumer behavior shifts toward direct-to-consumer models, AI will continue to play a central role in differentiating leaders from laggards. The future of fulfillment isn’t just fast – it’s intelligent, adaptive, and deeply data-driven.

Companies that invest in AI now will be best positioned to meet growing customer demands, reduce their environmental footprint, and build resilient, future-ready delivery networks.

Learn More

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s already transforming how goods move from factory floors to front doors. 

To dive deeper into how AI is shaping the future of global logistics, explore DP World’s AI Playbook: Smarter, Safer, Stronger: How AI Can Transform The Global Supply Chain, available now on the DP World website.

ROHNERT PARK, Calif., September 18, 2025 /3BL/ – Traditional Medicinals®, the leading botanical wellness company and Certified B Corporation, today announces the launch of two new organic herbal teas: Rosy Mood™ and Stress Ease ® Calm. These blends represent Traditional Medicinals’ first Fair for Life® certified offerings, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability as it celebrates 50 years of botanical innovation.

As Traditional Medicinals enters the mood support category with Rosy Mood and expands its popular Stress Ease® line with a new blend, both teas exemplify the brand’s dedication to supporting ethical sourcing and sustainability at every step of the supply chain. Formulated to support the emotional and lifestyle needs of today’s consumers, Rosy Mood and Stress Ease Calm deliver plant-powered rituals that provide accessible, botanical solutions for everyday well-being. Rosy Mood inspires joy and uplifts mood, while Stress Ease Calm supports intentional unwinding and builds resilience to stress, two essentials for modern living.*

A recent Talker Research survey found that seven in ten people believe their outlook on life would improve if they could better manage stress. “By infusing more joy and calm into everyday rituals, we can help reduce stress levels,” said Dr. Taryn Forrelli, ND, Traditional Medicinals’ Chief Science Officer. “That’s why, in honor of our 50th anniversary, we created teas designed to inspire wonder, spark joy, and provide a sense of calm. Rosy Mood lifts the spirit with every cup, while Stress Ease Calm—powered by adaptogens and other high-quality herbs—offers a restorative moment to unwind and thrive through life’s challenges. Crafted with Fair for Life certified ingredients, these blends support emotional well-being while honoring the deep roots of traditional herbal wisdom.”

Fair for Life Certification: A Rigorous Standard for Social and Environmental Responsibility

Fair for Life is one of the world’s most rigorous certifications for social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and fair trade. For Traditional Medicinals, achieving this certification means partnering directly with wild collectors, smallholder farmers, and cooperatives to ensure fairness across the entire supply chain. Rosy Mood features Fair for Life certified butterfly pea flower and cinnamon, while Stress Ease Calm includes certified ashwagandha and shatavari.

This milestone reflects the brand’s longstanding commitment to ethical sourcing and community investment—more than $20 million over the past decade in regions from Eastern Europe to India. It also marks a crucial step toward Traditional Medicinals’ ambitious goal of sourcing 80% of its herbs from fair-certified origins by 2030.

“Fair for Life is more than a label, it’s a commitment woven into every step of the journey,” said Jamie Horst, Traditional Medicinals’ chief purpose officer. “Rosy Mood and Stress Ease Calm reflect our commitment to ensure dignity, equity, and long-term support for communities and ecosystems from seed to cup.”

The Brand’s Expansion into Mood Support Offerings

Rosy Mood was formulated by Traditional Medicinals team of herbalists, drawing on decades of collective wisdom, including the inspiration of Traditional Medicinals’ Co-founder Rosemary Gladstar. Rosy Mood marks Traditional Medicinals’ latest entry into the mood support category. The blend brings together uplifting damiana, heart-soothing rose, and one of Rosemary’s favorite botanicals: butterfly pea flower, for a colorful pause in the day. Thanks to the natural pigments in butterfly pea flower and hibiscus, Rosy Mood shifts color depending on the water’s pH when brewed, creating a range of vibrant shades from bright pink to dark purple.

Stress Ease Calm joins the popular Stress Ease family of teas with Tension Relief, Focus, and Immune, as a gentle, everyday tea formulated to support a peaceful state of mind. With a harmonizing blend of ashwagandha, shatavari, and honeybush, this tea combines adaptogens and nervines to help build resilience to occasional stress and restore inner calm.

50 Years of Herbal Wellness

The launch of Rosy Mood and Stress Ease Calm continues Traditional Medicinals’ “50 Years in Bloom” anniversary celebration. The anniversary year has featured significant initiatives including the launch of Herbs for All, which has awarded over $75,000 in grants to nonprofit partners advancing health and herbal wellness access in their communities. The company has invested more than $200,000 in broadening access to high-quality herbal wellness through community education programs.

About Traditional Medicinals

Traditional Medicinals is the leader in botanical wellness with a purpose to inspire active connection to plant wisdom in service of people and planet. Founded in 1974, Traditional Medicinals is rooted in herbal medicine that includes ethical sourcing and production, and rigorous attention to purity, quality, and sustainability standards. With more than sixty teas, lozenges and capsules specially formulated by herbalists, Traditional Medicinals has a deep commitment to both modern botany and traditional plant knowledge. Certified as Fair for Life, B Corporation, California Benefit Corporation, and California Green Business, Traditional Medicinals commits to elevating communities across the globe, helping ecosystems thrive, and fortifying cultural connections. Traditional Medicinals products are available online, and in most grocery and natural foods retailers. For additional information, visit www.traditionalmedicinals.com.

*These statements have been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

PR Contact:
Cinch PR
tm@cinchpr.com

Students at Mac Williams Middle School now have a new way to learn beyond the four walls of the classroom. In early September, the school community joined with Chemours Fayetteville Works to cut the ribbon on a new outdoor classroom designed to spark curiosity and expand hands-on STEM learning opportunities.

The open-air space features seating and work areas that will serve more than 1,000 students each year with interactive lessons in agriculture, life sciences and other STEM subjects. The project is part of a growing partnership between the school and Chemours through its ChemFEST (Chemours Future of Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology) program.

“This outdoor classroom is more than just a space—it’s a symbol of our commitment to giving every student access to creative, hands-on learning experiences,” said Seth Bailey, Chemours Fayetteville Plant Manager. “I’ve seen firsthand how partnerships can spark curiosity and inspire young people to consider STEM pathways for their future. The future of chemistry—and innovation—is right here in Fayetteville, and we’re happy to support that. We are proud to partner with Mac Williams Middle School to help build the next generation of innovators.”

Principal Anita McLaughlin praised the investment and impact on her students. “We are so grateful to Chemours for investing in our students and school community,” McLaughlin said. “This outdoor classroom will open new doors for hands-on learning and spark a lifelong love of science in our students.”

The project builds on Chemours’ multi-year collaboration with Mac Williams Middle School, which has already expanded STEM-based lab modules to every grade level and connected students with Chemours employees who volunteer their time. Additionally, this partnership has increased student participation in STEM learning by 10%. The initiative ensures fair access to engaging, real-world science experiences for middle school students in Cumberland County.

Watch Season 5 Episode 7: Big Things Are Possible: Scaling Sustainability

The journey to a sustainable future is built project by project, idea by idea. That means from small businesses to schools, hospitals and even buildings with their own zip codes. The lesson is the same: when creativity, collaboration and courage come together, big things are possible anywhere.

In this episode, we speak to Dan Palino, Chief Operating Officer of New Water Street Corporation; Scott Lewin, Energy Services Leader at Trane; and Holly Paeper, President of Commercial HVAC Americas at Trane Technologies.

We’ll hear how bold retrofits at 55 Water Street, the largest office building in New York City, are cutting emissions and saving millions. We’ll explore breakthrough solutions like thermal batteries and AI-powered energy optimization, why these technologies can be applied in buildings of every size and how culture and purpose fuel the creativity that makes these innovations possible.

Featured in this Episode:

Hosts:
Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader EMEA, Trane Technologies
Scott Tew, Vice President Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies

Guests:
Dan Palino, Chief Operating Officer, New Water Street Corporation
Holly Paeper, President, Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies
Scott Lewin, President, Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies
Sydney Tharpe, Team Lead, Trane

About Healthy Spaces

Healthy Spaces is a podcast by Trane Technologies where experts and disruptors explore how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn and play.

This season, hosts Dominique Silva and Scott Tew bring a fresh batch of uplifting stories, featuring inspiring people who are overcoming challenges to drive positive change across multiple industries. We’ll discover how technology and AI can drive business growth, and help the planet breathe a little bit easier.

Listen and subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
YouTube 
Amazon Music

How are you making an impact? What sustainable innovation do you think will change the world?

Share your story with us and learn more about the Healthy Spaces Podcast.

We believe in creating a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, and visitors across our locations. This commitment is reflected in our rigorous risk assessments, ongoing training programs, and adherence to global safety standards.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Approximately 0.24 Total Incident Rate (TIR) ⁽¹⁸⁾
• Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) ⁽³⁶⁾

STRATEGIC APPROACH

Our commitment to health and safety is deeply rooted in our organization, with active support from our CEO and senior leadership team. This commitment extends to fostering an inclusive environment where employees, their representatives, and contractors are actively engaged in shaping our safety journey. We believe in meaningful consultation, so their valuable input drives continued improvement and strengthens our shared dedication to a healthy and safe workplace for everyone.

We are committed to addressing issues related to health, safety and the environment. Part of that effort involves engaging and empowering our colleagues to live safely, both inside and outside the workplace.

STRIVING TO ENSURE WORKPLACE SAFETY

Our ambition is to achieve an accident-free workplace. We aim to maintain safe practices, environments, and ways of working for everyone who interacts with Mondelēz International. Our safety guiding principles include creating a safe and healthy work environment for all our employees through a proactive approach that prioritizes exceeding applicable health and safety regulations, investing in our people and facilities, and fostering a strong safety culture.

Our comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies, standards, and non-negotiable commitment to continued improvement help us to maintain a culture of safety and compliance throughout Mondelēz International. We implement rigorous risk assessments, utilize tools and metrics to track progress, invest in comprehensive training and communication, and conduct regular HSE assessments to evaluate our performance.

WORK, PLAY, LIVE, SAFE PROGRAM

Our “Work, Play, Live, Safe” program promotes a culture of safety for everyone on our sites, encompassing employees, contractors, full-time and part-time staff, and even visitors. We extend this commitment across our locations, including factories, distribution centers, tech centers, and other facilities. By providing guiding principles for everyday actions, we aim to provide safe practices, environments, and ways of working for everyone who interacts with Mondelēz International, including:

• Nothing we do is worth getting hurt for.
• All injuries and occupational illnesses can, and must, be prevented.
• We will continually strive for zero incidents.
• Everyone is responsible for safety; leaders are accountable.
• Working safely is a condition of employment.

BUILDING A CULTURE OF WORKPLACE SAFETY

• Our commitment is to create a workplace where safety is paramount, reducing risks across four key areas:
  • Occupational Health: Protecting our employees from long- term health issues related to their work environment.
  • Personal Safety: Fostering a culture of safety by implementing safe work practices and standards that prioritize the well-being of every individual.
  • Process Safety: Enhancing the design, management, and control of potentially hazardous processes within our operations.
  • Vehicle Safety: Promoting safe driving practices and improving vehicle-related activities across all functions and operations.

ACTION PLANS AND PROGRESS

WORKPLACE SAFETY PROGRESS

Mondelēz International is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of HSE performance across our global sites. Our commitment is reflected in the following key areas:

OUR INTENT

• Compliance: We are committed to meeting or exceeding all applicable HSE regulations.
• Continuous Improvement: We strive to continuously improve our HSE footprint through investments in our people, processes, and facilities.
• Interdependent HSE Culture: We cultivate a culture of safety where everyone takes responsibility for their own well-being and the well-being of others. This culture is essential for achieving an accident and occupation illness-free work environment and for protecting our planet.

OUR ACHIEVEMENT

Long-Term Impact: In 2024, our continued focus on leadership, capability building, and HSE assessments drove improvements across most safety performance indicators. We achieved a Total Incident Rate (TIR) of approximately 0.24 significantly below the global benchmark of 0.5.⁽¹⁸⁾ Our Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) remained consistently low, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to workplace safety.

Long-Term Impact: Through dedicated efforts in safety culture and Total Safety initiatives, including emergency preparedness procedures, we have seen a reduction in Total Recordable Incidents across operations over the past 10 years.

OUR PRIORITIES FOR 2025

Despite our positive performance, seek continued improvement and are addressing the following areas in 2025:

High Severity Incidents: We are implementing solutions to further improve behaviors, controls, and capabilities across manufacturing and commercial operations to prevent future high severity incidents.

Priority Standards: We are intensifying our focus on closing high- risk gaps, enhancing protection and prevention systems to further strengthen our HSE performance.

M&A Integration: We are investing in resourcing and capabilities to drive integration of Mondelēz International standards and work processes within recently acquired companies.

Commercial Safety: We are revising policies and standards to further enhance safety practices in our warehouses, offices, and vehicle fleet operations.

We remain dedicated to making a positive impact on the world and the communities where we do business, to provide a safe and sustainable future for all.

GOALS AND METRICS

WORKPLACE SAFETY GOAL
Severity and Total Incident Rate (TIR): Continued focus to reduce Severity 1 safety incidents to zero

2024 PROGRESS
	2024
Total Recordable Incidents (#) (36)	297
Lost Time Incidents (LTI) (#) (36)	217
Severity 1 Incidents (#) (36)	9
Total Incident Rate (TIR) (#) (18)	0.24
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) (#) (36)	0.86

View the full 2024 Snacking Made Right Report. 

 

^{(18) 2024 reported information includes data from acquisitions such as Ricolino, Chipita, Clif bar and Give & Go, which differs from previous years. We adjust our goals to better align with reporting requirements and industry best practice, and focus our Health & Safety metrics on Severity (unchanged) and TIR (Total Incident Rate).}

^{(36) 2024 reported information includes data from acquisitions such as Ricolino, Chipita, Clif bar and Give & Go, which differs from previous years. We are transitioning to absolute indicator numbers in our disclosures to provide a clearer and more accurate representation of safety performance. In previous years, data was presented as a percentage increase or decrease.}

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

A little over a week before Tennessee faced Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game, Hudson watches a Friday morning Tennessee football practice from an exclusive sideline spot. Taking in the sounds of buzzers and coaches’ voices, highlighted by accents of orange and white, Hudson, joined by his parents and two siblings, celebrated an early 13^th birthday gift.

As Tennessee prepared for its football season, Hudson’s daily preparation took on a different perspective. Undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor detected last December, Hudson was tasked with strategizing a challenging game plan at just 12 years old. Though chemotherapy and proton therapy are very present in his life, today’s presence was about being a kid again.

Taking a brief hiatus from appointments at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Hudson embraced all the orange eye candy accentuated by championship trophies, the NFL wall and, of course, the Peyton Manning Room. Amid all the memorabilia, an even more special moment was about to take place.

Just as practice wrapped, Tennessee Football Head Coach Josh Heupel ended the session a little differently. With My Special Aflac Duck® in hand — a free-of-charge robotic companion that provides comfort and joy to children during their cancer treatment — Coach Heupel greeted Hudson and introduced him to the team.

Surrounded by good vibes and smiles, there wasn’t a Volunteer football player that walked away without greeting their special guest for the day. Though determination describes the players on the field, they caouldn’t help but commend Hudson’s own competitive nature in his medical journey.

Hudson’s story and grit are special but, unfortunately, not uncommon. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 15,000 children under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S.

As the nation’s longest-running neutral-site game on opening weekend, the Aflac Kickoff Game blends passion for football with dedication to making a difference. Through Aflac’s partnership with Peach Bowl Inc., the game places an emphasis on purpose and the support of participating teams’ communities through the Kickoff for a Cause initiative while also benefiting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

In the first three years of Aflac’s sponsorship of the kickoff game, Kickoff for a Cause has helped raise more than $1.2 million while bringing much-needed awareness to pediatric cancer at the start of September, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

This milestone year marks 30 years of Aflac’s commitment supporting pediatric cancer care and research, with more than $191 million contributed since support began. You can also make a difference by visiting give.choa.org/aflac to donate today.

Aflac WWHQ |1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, New York 12211

Continental American Insurance Company | Columbia, SC

Z2500845 Exp. 9/26
 

HAMILTON, Bermuda, September 17, 2025 /3BL/ – Bacardi, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, has received the official ‘Hecho en Mexico’ (Made in Mexico) seal for its renowned tequila brands, PATRÓN and CAZADORES. This distinction, granted by the Mexican Ministry of Economy, underscores the commitment of Bacardi to quality, authenticity, and promoting the prestige of Mexican products globally.

The award ceremony took place at the offices of the Ministry of Economy in Mexico City, with the official seal presented by María De Haas Matamoros, Director General of the Office of the Ministry of Economy, to Daniel Aliaga, Managing Director for Bacardi in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event, which was also attended by Andrea Genoveva Solano Rendón, Head of the Regulation, Competitiveness, and Competition Unit of the Ministry of Economy, was part of the ‘Hecho en Mexico’ program, a strategic initiative promoted by the Presidency of the Republic. The program’s main objective is to promote and enhance the prestige of Mexican-based companies and brands both nationally and internationally. Awarding PATRÓN and CAZADORES with this seal is testament to the leadership of Bacardi in the production of high-quality tequilas and its contribution to the country’s economic development.

“On behalf of Bacardi, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the Mexican heritage and craftsmanship of our exceptional tequilas: PATRÓN and CAZADORES,” said Daniel Aliaga. “This distinction not only recognizes the quality of our brands, but also reinforces our commitment to the country, its culture, and its people. As a family-owned company that has been around for more than 160 years, doing the right thing is fundamental to us, and that includes ensuring our Made in Mexico brands continue to be a source of global pride. Our purpose at Bacardi is to ‘Make Moments Matter,’ and this is, without a doubt, one of those moments.”

“Awarding the ‘Hecho en Mexico’ seal to Bacardi for its PATRÓN and CAZADORES brands is a clear example of the talent and quality our country offers to the world,” added María De Haas Matamoros. “This initiative seeks to recognize and empower companies that, like Bacardi, contribute significantly to the economy and project an image of Mexican excellence internationally.”

Andrea Genoveva Solano Rendón commented: “The ‘Hecho en Mexico’ seal reflects the quality and talent of Mexican industry, boosting competitiveness and pride in what we produce. Today, Bacardi once again demonstrates its commitment to Mexican excellence.”

The history of Bacardi in Mexico dates back to 1931, when it became the first country outside of Cuba to produce BACARDÍ rum. Today, BACARDÍ rum is the number one spirit in Mexico and the Bacardi portfolio has grown to include other premium spirit brands like BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky, ILEGAL mezcal and ST-GERMAIN liqueur.

With more than a quarter of its global workforce located in Mexico, Bacardi enjoys a deep connection to the country, where world-renowned tequilas are produced, such as PATRÓN, the number one ultra-premium tequila globally, and CAZADORES, one of its emerging and growing brands. Hacienda PATRÓN is recognized for setting a new standard of quality, with 60 hands touching and perfecting each bottle before it leaves its facility in Jalisco. 

Bacardi maintains a firm commitment to innovation, reflected in recent launches such as PATRÓN Cristalino and PATRÓN El Alto – and corporate sustainability, with initiatives such as GLOBALG.A.P. certification for agave farmers and participation in projects such as Charco Bendito for water replenishment. 

-Ends-

For more information: 
Gerardo Arriola
JeffreyGroup
gerardo.arriola@jeffreygroup.com

Drink responsibly

About Bacardi Limited
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 163 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 8,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn

Tucked along a two-lane highway in southern Illinois, just a few miles apart, sit Covia’s Elco and Tamms plants. This dynamic duo of facilities has a long history of delivering success, all while keeping service and safety at the heart of everything they do.

From Competitors to Teammates

While the Elco and Tamms plants now strive to support Covia’s customers together, they weren’t always on the same side. The two facilities have each been in operation for more than 100 years in southern Illinois, strategically located near a unique geologic formation of microcrystalline silica near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. 

While the Elco and Tamms plants were run by separate companies for decades, that rivalry came to an end when Covia acquired both facilities a few years apart in the ‘80s. The Tamms plant was eventually transitioned into a processing facility for nepheline syenite, which is used for Covia’s MINBLOC® HC High-Clarity Antiblock additive and MINEX® functional filler. Meanwhile, Elco continues to actively mine and process silica into IMSIL® microcrystalline silica fillers, which are used to support products ranging from paint coatings and polymers to cement casings used for oil and gas wells.

Today, the two plants work in tandem to deliver reliable mineral solutions. A team of 55 team members support both sites, creating a level of camaraderie even though the plants focus on different minerals. 

Quality Products, Global Impact

Another trait that the Elco and Tamms plants share is pride in making quality products that customers want to buy. Both plants work with minerals recognized for their unique and valuable properties.

According to Plant Manager Bleve Willoughby, the quality of these products is a reflection on the hard work and dedication of the team.

“People here feel like what they’re doing matters,” Bleve explains. “Our team takes pride in making a premium product that makes a difference for our customers.”

The team also strives to improve their own internal processes. In 2024, the Elco plant was able to achieve a 20% increase in output of fine-grade products by modifying airflow at a key point in the process. This improvement led to reduced operating times and associated costs to meet customer demand. Bleve and his team also developed and implemented a new operating scenario to support the modified process.

Between the quality of the products and the improved efficiencies, the Elco and Tamms plants have several satisfied, repeat customers from far beyond their region. Elco’s silica, for example, is shipped all over the world, including Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.

“It’s cool to think that we’re here in a really small, rural area and we’re making something that goes to customers all over the world,” said Bleve. “They don’t have anything comparable in their area of the world, so they come to us here in Illinois.”

Award-Winning Safety Standards

Product quality is a notable highlight for the team members at Elco and Tamms, but so is the way they go about safely producing those products. The plants strive to keep silica dust exposures at a minimum each day and make safety-based decisions to ensure that team members can return home in the same condition in which they arrived.

“The people run the plant, and it’s their actions and their everyday behaviors that keep us safe,” Bleve explained. “We can engineer safer solutions and put guards where required, but at the end of the day it comes down to people making the right choices for us to be safe.”

Those choices have led to tangible results. According to Bleve, it’s been more than 11 years since a lost-time incident. The Elco plant earned the company’s President’s Safety Award in 2022, an honor that recognizes the Covia plant that achieves the highest level of safety performance. 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

In addition to supporting each other, the team members at the Elco and Tamms plants also strive to help the community that surrounds them. Covia is proud to empower team members to pursue volunteering opportunities, and the Elco and Tamms team has a history of going above and beyond for the region.

Every plant has different takes on volunteering, as Covia encourages people to support causes that resonate with them. For multiple individuals at Elco and Tamms, that includes volunteering for the local fire department. According to Bleve, two different team members serve as the chiefs of their respective fire departments, while others find their own ways to give back to their community.

“They volunteer because they want to make a difference,” Bleve stated. “They don’t know these people when they go to their houses 

Looking Ahead

The Elco and Tamms plants may hail from a small area, but their impact stretches far and wide. With unique products, innovative processes, and team members who care deeply about safety and community, they embody the very best of Covia.

BETHESDA, Md., September 17, 2025 /3BL/ – This fall, Tandem Global will be taking part in some of the most important conversations on climate and nature at NY Climate Week, Trellis Impact ’25 and COP30 Biodiversity Days.

“For decades, we’ve worked alongside companies to design site-level projects that restore habitats and engage communities, while also shaping strategies that connect nature, climate, and corporate growth,” said Anna Willingshofer, Chief Science and Innovation Officer for Tandem Global. “These stories—where business meets sustainability in ways that deliver real impact—are exactly what we’ll be bringing into the dialogue.”

Beginning next week in New York, Tandem Global is participating in a panel session alongside our member company, Ecolab, at the following session hosted by Anthesis Group:

Future-Proofing Climate & Nature Action: Lessons from the Nexus of Water, Biodiversity, and Business Value

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 3:00pm – 3:45pm Eastern

Location: Chelsea Walls, 231 10th Avenue New York, NY 10011

With Emilio Tenuta, CSO of Ecolab and Tandem Global Chairperson, and Rob Campbell, Director of Consulting, Tandem Global

More information and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-proofing-climate-nature-action-tickets-1608305919299

For Tandem Global, the timing couldn’t be more urgent. The climate conversation is evolving. Emissions reduction can’t happen without also protecting and restoring the ecosystems that make decarbonization possible—forests, soils, watersheds, and pollinators. At Tandem Global, we stand at this intersection, helping business understand that nature is not an optional add-on to climate action, but its foundation.

That’s why these gatherings matter to us. They’re about joining peers and partners to move the conversation forward with a simple but powerful message: climate and nature are one story—and business must help write it.

If you’ll be in New York, San Jose or Belém, we’d love to connect. Reach out, join the conversation, and let’s explore how we can work together to drive meaningful change.

@NY Climate Week, Sept 22-25

Rob Campbell, Director, Consulting

Monica Leal-Keller, Chief Marketing Officer

@Trellis Impact ’25, Oct 28-30

Erin Allegro, Sr. Manager, Business Development

Shaun Clark, Sr. Consultant

Margaret O’Gorman, CEO

Jacque Williamson, Sr. Consultant

Anna Willingshofer, Chief Science and Innovation Officer

@COP30 Biodiversity Days, Nov 17-18

Anna Willingshofer, Chief Science and Innovation Officer

About Tandem Global

Tandem Global (formerly Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center), provides the know-how and the network to move business and the environment forward, together. Across sectors and at all levels of its 100+ member organizations, Tandem Global works to facilitate long-term and lasting impact on all aspects of our natural world. Tandem Global connects leading thinking with practical solutions that positively impact climate, nature, and water. From field operations to boardrooms and beyond, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impact strategies and resilient solutions that can support a better future. Tandem Global is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, with locations across the U.S., in Latin America and Munich, Germany. For more information visit tandemglobal.org.

2025 marks the 10th year of the FedEx Uniform Recycling Program in Brazil — a meaningful initiative that transforms old uniforms into cozy blankets, bringing comfort to both people and pets in need. Over the past decade, this program has recycled approximately 95,000 pieces of uniforms and created 37,000 blankets. These blankets have been generously distributed to 60 NGOs and institutions, extending warmth and care throughout communities across Brazil.

In the accompanying video, hear directly from FedEx team members alongside representatives from Salvation Army Brazil and Cão Sem Dono as they share more about the positive impact this recycling program has made. 

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.