Tag: 3BL

Company has deployed 97% toward the plan to strengthen communities, drive economic empowerment and foster financial inclusion.

Highlights

• Three years into ambitious plan, nearly $85.5 billion of funds have been deployed toward the plan, representing 97% of pledge.
• In 2024, PNC strategically deployed $28.5 billion in capital to accelerate homeownership, small business growth and community investment.
• Final year of plan focuses on maximizing impact by deepening partnerships, expanding access to capital and driving economic opportunity.

Making a transformative impact

PNC’s steadfast commitment to the communities we serve drives our teams to create and execute capital investments, loans and grants that make a positive, lasting impact. It’s in that spirit of consistent forward progress that PNC Bank proudly shares the significant progress achieved under our $88 billion Community Benefits Plan (CBP), launched in January 2022 and concluding in December 2025.

With a commitment to economic empowerment and financial inclusion, the four-year initiative is making a measurable and transformative impact across low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities and majority-minority census tracts.

“Looking ahead, in this final year of the CBP, our focus remains on maximizing impact by deepening our partnerships, expanding access to capital and driving economic mobility,” said Richard Bynum, PNC’s chief corporate responsibility officer. Thanks to the amazing work of our PNC team members, we are well-positioned to build on this momentum and create lasting change for the communities we serve.”

2024 report summarizes progress

Since 2022, PNC has delivered $85.5 billion in capital investments, loans and philanthropic giving, representing over 97 percent of the total amount committed to accelerate homeownership, small business growth and community investment initiatives. In 2024, PNC delivered on our commitment to do right by our stakeholders with more than $28.4 billion in total capital deployed to catalyze investment in LMI communities across our footprint.

In addition to summarizing PNC’s progress in mortgage lending, small business and community financing as well as charitable support, the Community Benefits Plan annual progress report highlights some of the specific milestones and impactful wins that successfully supported the communities, clients and customers we serve. For more details, view the 2024 Community Benefits Plan report.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as one of the most significant environmental challenges of our time. Fortunately, traditional treatment approaches like coal-based granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IX) and advanced technologies such as foam fractionation and high-rejection reverse osmosis have proven effective in addressing PFAS contamination.

But here’s an unexpected twist: some of the most promising innovations in PFAS treatment are remarkably simple — who would have thought that corn, coconut and clay could treat PFAS?

Understanding the PFAS Challenge

Before diving into these innovative treatment approaches, it’s important to understand why PFAS pose such a unique challenge. These synthetic chemicals have been used in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam since the 1940s. Their strong chemical bonds, which make them excellent at repelling water and oil, also make them incredibly persistent in the environment.

The Natural Arsenal: Corn, Coconuts and Clay

How to harness the power of natural materials to combat PFAS contamination? With any of these approaches, engineers convert natural materials into a product that has proven to filter PFAS in water. 

These include:

Corn-Based Materials: Among nature’s solutions to PFAS, corn stands out as an unexpected hero. Novel media treatments are using corn-based materials, specifically cyclodextrin derived from corn, that can effectively adsorb PFAS molecules. This sustainable approach can not only provide effective treatment but also offers an environmentally friendly solution using renewable resources.

Coconut-Derived Carbon: Granular activated carbon (GAC) made from coconut shells has proven to remove PFAS from water in some studies. The natural structure of coconut-shell carbon creates an ideal surface area and pore size for PFAS adsorption.

Specialized Clay: Because of their natural ability to hold onto PFAS molecules, clay-based materials have shown promising results in PFAS treatment. The layered structure of certain clays also provides an ideal framework for PFAS capture.

The Science Behind the Solutions

These natural materials work through different mechanisms to treat PFAS-contaminated water.

Adsorption: GAC, corn and clay-based materials use adsorption, where PFAS molecules physically attach to the surface or become trapped inside the micropores within the material, similar to how a sticky note adheres to a bulletin board. The large surface area of these materials provides countless attachment points for PFAS molecules.

Ion Exchange: This process works through an electrical charge interaction. PFAS compounds are typically negatively charged (anionic), so they’re attracted to and captured by specialized anion exchange resins that have positively charged sites. Think of it as a selective filter that specifically targets and captures negatively charged PFAS while letting other molecules pass through. Some treatment systems combine these ion exchange resins with natural materials for enhanced removal.

Benefits for Communities and Industries

This natural approach to PFAS treatment offers several advantages:

• Sustainability: Using renewable resources like corn and coconut shells supports environmental sustainability
• Proven Effectiveness: These methods have demonstrated high removal rates for various PFAS compounds
• Versatility: They can be implemented in both small and large-scale treatment systems

Looking Ahead: The Time for Action

As PFAS regulations continue to evolve, these treatments offer solutions for communities and industries facing PFAS challenges. Leading environmental firms and municipalities are already seeing promising results from pilot programs that combine traditional technologies with innovative natural materials. For organizations that haven’t yet addressed PFAS concerns, the time to act is now — waiting could mean facing stricter regulations, higher treatment costs and increased public scrutiny down the road.

For municipalities and industries, taking action today means:

• More options to achieve compliance with emerging regulations
• Sustainable solutions that align with environmental goals
• Improved public confidence in water quality

Nature and Science: Partners in Progress

The fight against PFAS contamination demonstrates how solutions can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places. By harnessing the natural properties of materials like corn, coconuts and clay, we’re developing more sustainable and effective ways to address one of our most pressing environmental challenges. As we continue to advance our understanding and treatment of PFAS, these natural solutions may play an increasingly important role in creating cleaner, safer water for future generations. For communities and industries seeking to address PFAS contamination, these innovative treatment methods offer a promising and practical path forward — and those who act now will be best positioned to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

As a young adult, Justin experienced an issue with his blood that led to hospitalization, the need for higher levels of care—and dialysis. As the DaVita care team started working with Justin and his family, they focused on building trust and creating a connection with him. Eventually, he received a transplant in February 2024.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for 25 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey—from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping to support transplantation, from acute hospital care to dialysis at home. As of December 31, 2024, DaVita served approximately 281,100 patients at 3,166 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,657 centers were located in the United States and 509 centers were located in 13 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, helped improve health access and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care community to adopt a higher quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/Newsroom.

By Jenn Mullen

As we celebrate 2025—the International Year of Quantum (IYQ)—we embark on a journey through the eight guiding principles that have shaped a century of quantum discovery. This series begins with perhaps the most foundational principle: “No one owns quantum science.”

The Declaration

The IYQ’s official declaration of this principle states:

“No individual, society, country, institution, or discipline can claim ownership of the past or future of quantum science; it is knowledge that should be free to all. IYQ recognizes those who put effort into studying, developing, investigating, using, and teaching quantum science and technology, while seeking to solicit and answer questions from anyone who wants to learn more about it.”

This statement isn’t merely aspirational—it reflects the very essence of how quantum mechanics emerged and continues to evolve. But what does it mean in practice, and why does it matter as we commemorate 100 years of quantum mechanics?

Born from Collective Genius

When we trace quantum science to its origins, we find not a single inventor but a tapestry of brilliant minds wrestling with the universe’s most profound mysteries. In July 1925, Werner Heisenberg published his groundbreaking paper on quantum theoretical reinterpretation, followed shortly by the seminal “Three-Man Paper” with Max Born and Pascual Jordan that September. Yet these works didn’t emerge from isolation.

They built upon the quantum theories of Max Planck and Albert Einstein’s work on the photoelectric effect. They were influenced by Niels Bohr’s atomic model and Louis de Broglie’s matter waves. The mathematics drew from the work of numerous mathematicians across Europe. No single genius “invented” quantum mechanics—it evolved through conversation, correspondence, and spirited debate among physicists from Germany, Denmark, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and beyond.

The famous Solvay Conferences, beginning in 1911, exemplified this spirit of international collaboration. Scientists gathered across national boundaries—sometimes even as their countries were in political conflict—to grapple with quantum’s deepest questions. The iconic 1927 Fifth Solvay Conference photo captures this perfectly: 29 scientists from different countries and backgrounds united by a shared quest to understand the quantum world.

Today’s Quantum Commons

A century later, this collaborative ethos thrives in initiatives like the European Quantum Flagship, the US National Quantum Initiative, China’s national quantum projects, and international research partnerships that span continents. While nations may compete in quantum advancement, the underlying science remains part of our shared human heritage.

Modern quantum computing companies—despite operating in a competitive landscape—have fostered remarkable openness. Many maintain open-source tools and frameworks that invite global contribution. A number of companies and platforms provide cloud access to quantum processors, allowing researchers, educators, and curious minds worldwide to run quantum experiments without needing to build multi-million-dollar hardware.

Repositories of quantum algorithms and educational resources created by and for developers from every corner of the globe are widely available. Graduate students in Bangalore collaborate with professors in Berkeley. Researchers in Beijing build upon discoveries made in Boston. A high school student in rural areas can access the same quantum computing platforms as scientists at elite institutions.

Why It Matters

This principle—that no one owns quantum science—isn’t merely philosophical; it’s pragmatic. Quantum mechanics tackles questions so profound and complex that they require diverse perspectives. The field advances most rapidly when knowledge flows freely, when insights from condensed matter physics inform quantum computing, when theoretical mathematics inspires experimental breakthroughs.

As quantum technologies approach potential commercial applications—from secure communications to powerful computing paradigms and precise sensors—economic pressures might tempt some to enclose quantum knowledge behind proprietary walls. The IYQ’s first principle reminds us that while specific implementations may be owned, the foundational science belongs to humanity.

This openness also ensures that quantum science doesn’t become the exclusive domain of wealthy nations or institutions. When knowledge is freely shared, brilliant minds everywhere can contribute, regardless of geography or resources. Some of tomorrow’s most transformative quantum breakthroughs may come from unexpected places if we maintain this commitment to open access.

The Centennial Invitation

As we mark the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics’ formalization, the principle that “no one owns quantum science” serves as both a celebration of the field’s collaborative history and a recommitment to its open future. It invites all of us—regardless of background—to engage with quantum concepts, to ask questions, to contribute where we can.

Whether you’re a seasoned quantum physicist, a student just beginning to explore wave functions, or someone simply curious about the strange and beautiful rules that govern our reality at its smallest scales, the quantum world belongs to you too. That’s the promise and the challenge of the International Year of Quantum’s first principle: this revolutionary science—with all its wonder and potential—is our collective inheritance and responsibility.

In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the remaining seven principles that guide the IYQ celebration, each illuminating different facets of quantum science’s past, present, and promising future. For now, remember that quantum science has no single owner because it belongs to us all.

Learn with Keysight

Keysight is committed to empowering the next generation of engineers and innovators. Explore Learn to find a rich and growing library of resources spanning a range of technical areas, industries, and specialties. Explore Learn now.

_________________________________

This is the first in an eight-part series exploring the guiding principles of the 2025 International Year of Quantum. Next week: “Everyone is invited—Making quantum science accessible to all.”

Originally published on 3M News Center

When you come aboard 3M’s Safety Roadshow – a 90-foot semitrailer equipped with hands-on training experiences from 3M’s Personal Safety Division – the hum of robotics machinery and student chatter is unavoidable. That was the case at Joe T. Robinson High School, one of three stops in the Little Rock area this spring where more than 200 students eagerly took on roles as production managers, design engineers, assemblers, and quality control inspectors – all working feverously to create the perfect set of modeling clay “cookie” based on customer requirements.

That scene was part of 3M’s recent engagements with the company’s mobile training facility in communities where 3M manufacturing sites are located. The goal is to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – and the skilled trades.

The Safety Roadshow, which has been visiting training centers and customers in the U.S. and Canada for 11 years, expanded its reach to school districts for the first time this year. 

“Opportunities with visits like this help open a world of possibilities for students while helping address the future workforce needs of our country,” said Michelle Diggs, 3M’s director of external community impact.

In sessions during each roadshow stop, students were grouped together and each took charge of different aspects of their simulated production line. A table-top robot analyzed their clay “cookies” to determine if they met the required standards, allowing students to tweak their creations until they achieved success.

“All jobs in a production process do their own things and collaborate to create one product,” Madison Chang, a tenth grader in the school’s Science and Technology pathway, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after her session.

Markous Jewett, vice president of the Academies of Central Arkansas and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of extending learning beyond classroom walls.

“These are things we wouldn’t be able to do in a traditional classroom setting,” he said. “We lean on our industry partners to provide their time, talent, and expertise.”

The Safety Roadshow also introduced students to a wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, eye and hearing protection, and respirators.

Stephanie Baum, sales training manager for PSD, highlighted the preventative nature of the exercise.

“If we can have those conversations before they’re even entering the workforce, they can help educate and empower themselves and their coworkers,” she said.

By bringing real-world insights and hands-on experiences to students, 3M aims to bridge the gap in STEM and skilled trades industries.

“Innovation isn’t just about science,” Baum added. “It’s about looking at things differently and partnering with communities to teach in new ways.”

While in Little Rock, 3M presented a check to the Pulaski County Special School District for $119,000, which included funds for strategic investments for the school system determined by students and administrators, funds from the 3M Little Rock “hometown giving” site budget for College Station Elementary School, and funds from the 3Mgives Little Rock Donors Choose classroom support budget for projects submitted by College Station Elementary teachers.

Earlier the same week, the Safety Roadshow visited the Career Academies of Decatur – a high school in Decatur, Alabama, established in 2024 as the first high school in north Alabama dedicated to STEM and skilled trades. More than 250 students took part in sessions similar to those in Little Rock, including problem-solving games where students had to unscramble terms to identify and appropriately dress a mannequin with correct PPE.

Also, while in Decatur, 3M donated $215,000 to the Decatur City Schools Foundation, which included seed and launch funding for the Career Academies’ industrial maintenance program, and funding for districtwide after-school tutoring and food security assistance programs.

3M’s Safety Roadshow will continue its stops throughout 2025, with student engagements planned for Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas.

Originally published on Principal.com

We get it: Principal^® is a big company with a lot of fancy jobs, and applying to work here may be intimidating if your resume doesn’t include a four-year degree or professional experiences. But guess what? It doesn’t need to.

Our 12-month apprenticeship program places aspiring professionals in full-time, entry-level roles in Des Moines, Iowa. What makes it special isn’t just the job—or the pay, or the benefits package—it’s the built-in support system designed to help you thrive in a corporate environment.

“It’s like starting a career with training wheels,” says Melissa P., a customer service apprentice who joined Principal after graduating high school.

Great candidates are …

• eager to learn
• service-oriented
• strong communicators
• interested in building a career in financial services

You don’t need a college degree.

Read on for three ways the program helps open doors for new professionals.

1. On-the-job training

Because week one is sometimes the hardest at a new job, the apprenticeship program strives to ease the transition period.

Melissa recalls an open house before she was even hired, where she met her leader and had a chance to ask questions about the role.

And when she was onboarding (training and getting acclimated), she says her leader proactively explained not just how things are done but also why, knowing this was her first role in a professional environment.

“My leader and all my trainers have been amazing,” she says. “I had a very structured training, and even now, I continue to have plenty of support. No one expects me to be perfect—just to learn from any mistakes.”

2. One-on-one coaching from HR

In addition to a leader, each apprentice also has a coach from our human resources (HR) learning and development team. They schedule regular check-ins and tailor what you work on.

“It’s very comforting knowing I have someone outside my actual role that I can go to for questions that might seem silly to other people,” Melissa says. “Anything from ‘How do I book a meeting room?’ to ‘What should I sign up for with my benefits?’ to ‘How can I explore what my future might look like here? … My coach tailors our meetings to whatever I’m needing.”

3. Networking opportunities

The apprenticeship program launches once a year with a class of 10–12 apprentices. This way, the peer group can go through the program together—networking, meeting for lunches, and learning from each other along the way.

One highlight for Melissa: Watching big company meetings as a group and being able to discuss the executives’ talking points together.

Coaches can also help facilitate networking opportunities. “I mentioned I wanted to make more connections throughout the company, and right away my coach took down my interests and set up meetings for me to meet people in various roles,” Melissa says.

A launch pad for career growth

For Melissa, the apprenticeship program provided an ideal entry point to professional life.

“I didn’t want to go to college straight out of high school because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in my career,” Melissa says. “This gives me a foot in the door and an opportunity to explore what my future role could be.”

After 12 months, apprentices have the opportunity to be hired into their roles or similar roles in operations, customer service, marketing, sales, and technical support. Like any employee, you’ll have access to education assistance benefits (which can help pay tuition for college/relevant coursework) and growth and development opportunities throughout your career at Principal.

By design, the apprenticeship program helps Principal bring in early-career talent while also supporting our social goals of promoting financial security in the community.

Principal^® is an equal opportunity employer and an E-Verify participant. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion or religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partner status, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also prohibit harassment on these bases.

Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (dol.gov)

If at any stage of the employment application process you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947. Read our employment policies for more information.

Recruitment fraud is a scheme that offers fictitious job opportunities to people. This type of fraud is normally done through online services such as bogus websites, social media, or through unsolicited emails/SMS texts claiming to be from Principal or Principal employees. Only applicants who have filled out an official application on our career site (careers.principal.com) will be considered for employment opportunities. Principal will never ask for money during any stage of the employment application process. If you receive a communication (e.g., LinkedIn message, Facebook Messenger, SMS text, personal email, etc.) asking for money or personal financial information, don’t engage or respond. Please contact our Human Resources team at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947, and your local law enforcement. For more information, review our recruitment fraud information.

You can review our U.S. workforce privacy notice (PDF).

Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company^®, a member of the Principal Financial Group^®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

4368581-042025

 

Gildan is pleased to announce that its Canadian and U.S. operations have been certified at the Silver level by Women in Governance for their gender parity efforts. With this, Gildan joins 70 other recognized organizations, highlighting the Company’s advancements in creating an inclusive environment with an equitable representation of women to men.

“This certification is a testament to Gildan’s persistent and dedicated efforts to achieve gender parity at all levels of the organization; of notable mention, is Gildan’s Next Generation ESG strategy goal of achieving gender parity at the Director-level and above positions by 2027,” says Esther Hackett, Vice-President of Human Resources at Gildan. “Additionally, both the Canadian and U.S. certifications provide us with an opportunity to learn about the strengths uniquely possessed by our operations in each region, as well as identify relevant pathways towards improvement.”

Over the years, Gildan has implemented programs to empower women from different regions and at different levels of the organization. One of its most successful programs in Canada and the U.S. has been Women in Leadership – Ignite Your Impact, which brings together women from the manager-level and above for development and networking opportunities. The Company has also been enhancing its succession planning to build more equitable pipelines of future leaders, making gender parity a priority right from the hiring stage.

Created in 2017, the Women in Governance Parity Certification evaluates organizations on over 75 quantitative and qualitative criteria in alignment with country-specific regulations, taking into account the multiple impacts of diversity in women’s career advancement. The Certification consists of a thorough diagnostic of an organization’s position on the gender parity spectrum as it pertains to its strategies (culture and commitments), actions (communications, policy and programs), and the results they yield.

For more information about the Women in Governance Parity Certification, click here. 

To learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Gildan, click here.

Saint-Gobain North America today announced that it has been recognized with a Silver Stevie^® Award in the 23^rd annual American Business Awards^®. This award was earned in the category of Large Manufacturing Company of the Year in celebration of Saint-Gobain’s circularity initiatives, rapid growth in North America, and commitment to building the future of the manufacturing industry.

The American Business Awards^® are the leading business awards program in the United States. They are open to all organizations operating in the U.S.— whether public or private, for-profit or non-profit, large or small.

The recognition comes as Saint-Gobain celebrates its 360-year anniversary, with worldwide festivities, including a visit to the United States as part of its 360 Years Young Video Series. The award recognizes multiple investments made by Saint-Gobain across North America to better serve its customers, initiatives to build circularity in its production, and actions taken to build the future generation of the manufacturing workforce. They include:

• Over $400 million in investments to expand and modernize facilities, including its CertainTeed Gypsum plant in Palatka, Florida, its CertainTeed Roofing facility in Peachtree City, Georgia, its CertainTeed Glass Mat facility in Oxford, North Carolina and its CertainTeed Gypsum facility in Montreal, Canada, which will be powered exclusively by hydropower, making it the first net-zero carbon (Scopes 1 and 2) gypsum wallboard manufacturing facility in North America. All of these projects will come online later this year.
• As the leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain is working to bring circularity to its production process, with initiatives such as its RenuCore by CertainTeed business, which allows for the recycling of asphalt shingles to be reused in hot mix asphalt paving instead of ending in landfills.
• Through video series such as Success in the Making, Saint-Gobain North America is highlighting the great careers available in the industry, building the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.

“As a company with a mission of Making the World a Better Home, it is an honor to be recognized for our work to grow in North America, while building more sustainable production practices and the future of the industry,” said Mark Rayfield, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain North America. “This is an award I share with the entire North American team, whose work makes this award possible, and I thank the American Business Awards for this great honor.”

This recognition from the American Business Awards is the latest Saint-Gobain North America has received in recent months for its commitment to Making the World a Better Home:

• Earlier this month, Saint-Gobain announced that it was honored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program with a 2025 Better Practice Award. Participants in Saint-Gobain’s unique Essentials of Manufacturing program developed, then piloted an Energy Management System program across 4 sites, training 82 individuals in 14 different business units to support sustainability goals through enhanced energy management knowledge and resources;
• In April, Saint-Gobain announced that members of its team were recognized as finalists for three 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards by the National Association of Manufacturers including its Circular Economy Solutions team, ONE PRECISION ASSEMBLIES™ by CertainTeed, and CisLee Trost, Project Engineer for CertainTeed;
• In January, Saint-Gobain announced that it had received a strong 90 out of 100 score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Foundation’s 2024-2025 Corporate Equality Index for its commitment to workforce protections and non-discrimination policies, inclusive benefits, and long-running Live Open Employee Resource Group;
• Earlier in January, Saint-Gobain was one of only 17 companies worldwide to be recognized as a global Top Employer by the Top Employer Institute, a honor it has received for the tenth consecutive year.

With over 160 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations can be found on the company’s career website.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain

MEDIA CONTACTS
Peter Clark
(+1) 603 513 8513

Client background

HomeServe USA is a consumer services company that has been providing home repair solutions in North America for nearly 20 years, helping their customers save over one billion dollars on home repairs by providing home repair coverage and local repair services. They work with leading utilities to provide customers with optimal service plans while delivering a seamless experience.

The business challenge

HomeServe had been relying on disparate general ledger and accounting systems and lacked access to accurate and reliable data, resulting in time-consuming accounting processes, especially with bank reconciliation procedures.

They were also burdened by software that required a substantial amount of manual data entry, forcing them to physically run checks through a remote deposit capture machine (RDC) and manually enter cash receipts into the accounting system before reconciling the entries in a massive Excel file to match the checks against a batch deposit in the bank. With so much time spent inputting transactional accounting data, HomeServe didn’t have time to sufficiently analyze it.

HomeServe needed a solution that could:

• Provide better visibility between their technology systems
• Automate manual transactional accounting processes
• Provide impactful data output visualization for executives

Strategy and solution

HomeServe worked with Baker Tilly to implement Sage Intacct and ServiceTitan home services software to bridge gaps between their accounting and finance technology stack and automate workflows. The benefits they experienced were immediate. With Baker Tilly’s support, HomeServe was able to connect their disparate systems, eliminate data silos and gain real-time access to information anytime, anywhere.

“I was impressed with the Baker Tilly implementation team. We got responsiveness, and we didn’t just feel like a number in the queue. We got real-time solutions to actually fix the problems and make them work better going forward.” – Joel Vander Eeems, Director of Accounting for HVAC and Energy Services, HomeServe USA

In addition, HomeServe also moved forward with implementing Baker Tilly’s Home & Commercial Services Module (HCSM) and Home & Commercial Services Intelligence (HCSI) products. Through HCSM, HomeServe has revolutionized its financial operations by automating payment deposits imported into Sage from ServiceTitan, streamlining their refund processes. Additionally, batched payments from ServiceTitan now automatically reconcile with their bank statements, significantly reducing reconciliation time and ensuring accurate financial records. By minimizing manual tasks and discrepancies between accounts, HomeServe has freed its employees to focus on revenue-driving roles.

“We leveraged the Home & Commercial Services Module and migrated to ServiceTitan, which enabled the mobile check capture. The bank reconciliation process time went down to one quarter for one individual and we were able to take that person that was just doing a cash receipts function and they became more outwardly focused on helping our technicians give the best financing solutions in the field and actually helping drive revenue rather than just button clicks.” – Joel Vander Eeems, Director of Accounting for HVAC and Energy Services, HomeServe USA

Lastly, with the in-depth analytics software provided through HCSI, HomeServe no longer needs to pay a third party for market research as they now have access to their service data on an interactive, visual dashboard alongside relevant demographic data. The dashboard’s interactive heat maps also drill down to specific zip codes, allowing them to analyze detailed metrics for each area.

HomeServe expects the resulting insights into membership and revenue trends to create new opportunities to optimize marketing efforts, analyze churn and identify potential memberships. They also plan to use the data for developing targeted advertising and marketing strategies, particularly in areas with low market penetration, to ensure customers are aware of all their services.

“Having Home & Commercial Services Intelligence will give us metrics around membership churn and opportunities for new memberships. That’s going to be a tool for analytics that not only is great for accountants, but great for the operational side of the business.” – Joel Vander Eeems, Director of Accounting for HVAC and Energy Services, HomeServe USA

To learn more about how Baker Tilly’s home and commercial services solutions can help your business, contact us today.

ATLANTA, May 6, 2025 /3BL/ – Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River mill in Rincon, Georgia, now accepts polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups in its mixed paper stock for recycling.

It’s the third Georgia-Pacific facility to begin accepting PE-coated cups, joining recycled paper mills in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Muskogee, Oklahoma. These facilities enable the reuse of fibers from PE-coated cups and other mixed paper stock to produce Georgia-Pacific products such as tissues, towels and napkins.

Georgia-Pacific has partnered closely with the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) and the NextGen Consortium, an industry collaboration managed by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy, to promote and expand the acceptance of PE-coated cups for recycling.

“As single-use paper cups have grown in popularity in recent years so, too, has paper cup waste,” said John Mulcahy, vice president of stewardship for Georgia-Pacific, which manufactures the Dixie® brand of paper cups. “As a leading manufacturer of paper foodservice products, we continually look for ways to consume fewer resources as part of our longer-term strategy to identify solutions that benefit society. Accepting mixed paper bales containing PE-coated cups at our mills is a significant step in this direction.”

PE coatings, along with any remaining liquid and food left behind from use, have historically left single-use paper cups out of the recovery and recycling process. However, Georgia-Pacific has proven through its extensive re-pulping trials that these mills can effectively recapture valuable cup fiber from paper cups while screening out PE coatings and then reuse the fiber to make bath tissue, napkins and paper towels. 

Kate Daly, managing partner and head of the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, said Georgia-Pacific’s repulping capability will benefit the foodservice industry and further advance the industry’s environmental stewardship.

“We are excited see Georgia-Pacific continue to accelerate paper cup recycling through its acceptance of cups in mixed paper bales at the Savannah River mill,” Daly said. “There has been tremendous momentum in paper cup recycling over the last several years. This announcement marks another critical step forward for the industry, and we hope even more mills will follow this lead. Georgia-Pacific’s actions and commitment to expanding cup recycling across their portfolio reinforces the value of the materials in paper cups and builds critical markets for these recycled materials. As the managing partner of the NextGen Consortium, Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy continues to collaborate with leaders like Georgia-Pacific and stakeholders across the cup value chain, to keep these valuable materials in play.”

Georgia-Pacific is also collaborating with the NextGen Consortium to trial at its mills next-generation paper cups that have replaced the PE-coating with more bio-based materials that are recyclable and/or compostable.

And with its Rincon, Green Bay and Muskogee mills now engaged, Georgia-Pacific is also working with FPI to expand and accelerate single-use PE-coated paper cup acceptance in curbside recycling programs to increase the number of households that can recycle the paper cups. As the voice of the foodservice packaging industry, FPI is committed to reducing the impact of its products on the environment and to advancing recycling and composting. 

“We’re proud to work with Georgia-Pacific in its effort to recover and reuse poly-coated paper cups,” said Natha Dempsey, president of FPI, “and we look forward to partnering with new communities that previously didn’t have the capability to recycle them.”

View original content here.