Tag: 3BL

Let’s meet the winners of the 2024 Purple Totes Grant Contest

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Purple Totes Grant Contest. More than 2,500 team members collected and donated over 3,000 totes worldwide! Now it is time to meet the winners of the contest and learn about the nonprofits they supported. Each of these nonprofits will receive a $5,000 USD grant.

Small Division First Place Winner: Bundle Up Hampton Roads

Team Bundle Up Hampton Roads based in Norfolk, Virgina, U.S., is a team of eight FedEx team members who donated 60 purple totes filled with over 300 hats, gloves, scarves, and other winter gear to St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries. The team chose St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries because they are a small nonprofit that has a great impact on the local community. They provide a day center where the homeless can take a shower, eat, and escape the elements. They also provide a clothing closet, food pantry, and assistance with transportation, vision, dental, and prescriptions.

Medium Division First Place Winner: Western Australia Legendaries

The Western Australia Legendaries team out of Perth, Western Australia, came in first place for the medium division. This team of 22 FedEx team members came together to donate 22 totes to the Food Bank Western Australia. These totes were filled with canned goods, milk, tea and coffee, pasta and rice, cereal, and washing products. The Food Bank provides food and grocery relief to 2,929 front-line charities and 3,220 school breakfast programs throughout the country.

Large Division First Place Winner: Repair Service Center

The FedEx Repair Service Center (RSC) in Collierville, Tennessee, U.S., placed first in the large division with 550 pounds of food donated to the Mid-South Food Bank. The team of 168 team members chipped in to fill 75 bags of non-perishable food items and related supplies to assist those facing food insecurity in the Memphis area. The Mid-South Food Bank, a member organization of the Feeding America U.S. hunger relief organization, transforms lives of children, seniors and families in need across Memphis and 31 Mid-South area counties through volunteer support, food drives, fund-raising, and advocacy initiatives.

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

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

COLUMBUS, Ga., March 7, 2025 /3BL/ — Aflac Incorporated (Aflac), the leading provider of cancer insurance in the United States and Japan, is teaming up with the American Cancer Society (ACS), the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it — for everyone. Together, they will shine a light on the ways early cancer detection can support individuals as they navigate the physical, emotional and financial challenges associated with the disease, particularly as data from the most recent (2024) Aflac Wellness Matters Survey found that 77% of Americans delay important health checkups,1 and 60% admit to avoiding important health and cancer screenings altogether,2 with millennials leading the pack.

Throughout the collaboration, ACS and Aflac will work together to empower employees to take proactive steps in managing their health to enhance workforce well-being and assist in mitigating health care costs. This addresses key findings in the 2024-2025 Aflac WorkForces report that show 70% of employees experience at least some anxiety about a serious medical diagnosis,3 and 51% of Americans are unable to pay $1,000 out of pocket in the event of an unexpected illness or injury.4

Aligning with Aflac’s core mission to provide benefits to policyholders before, during and after a cancer diagnosis, ACS programs and services will be shared, particularly benefitting those who have experienced a cancer diagnosis and are facing potential financial and logistical challenges. These include the ACS’s Road to Recovery® program, which offers free rides to cancer-related medical appointments, and information on Hope Lodge®, a free patient lodging program for cancer patients seeking treatment outside of their community.

“As the leading provider and pioneer of cancer insurance sales in the United States, and with a 70-year record of providing valuable benefits and service to our customers, we know that early detection can help lead to better physical, emotional and financial outcomes,” Aflac Incorporated President Virgil Miller said. “Aflac and the American Cancer Society are closely aligned on this mission to achieve better health outcomes and mitigate the financial toxicity of a major health event. We are pleased to join them to better serve families facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.”

The collaboration will enable ACS to bring awareness to its Employee Toolkit efforts, including a new webpage that will provide on-demand access for employers to valuable cancer prevention-related content. Aflac associates will be able to share these tools with clients across the nation to provide for their employees. Each toolkit will include helpful information such as cancer screening guidelines, with facts and educational materials for individuals who have already been diagnosed with cancer.

“We’re pleased to be working with Aflac in this mutual effort to help deliver greater access to our services and programs to those who need it the most,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “Cancer can’t be fought alone. It takes a great deal of community support and access to resources to overcome the obstacles that many cancer patients face every day.”

As an added level of commitment, Miller will initiate the first CEOs Against Cancer chapter in Georgia, where Aflac and ACS are headquartered, joining a group of prominent CEOs across the nation. Miller will accept a two-year term as chair of the newly created organization and serve as a spokesperson for the chapter.

In 2023, Aflac updated its signature cancer policy, enhancing benefits to address changes in the health care system as well as benefits related to outpatient care. The company also established a new system wherein policyholders calling to file a first-time cancer claim are provided the option to speak directly with a team of professionals specifically trained to handle these often-emotional claims.

Learn more about this important work at cancer.org/Aflac.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for nearly seven decades to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.5 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024) and Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2024) for 11 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 2024 Wellness Matters Survey Overview, page 18
2 2024 Wellness Matters Survey Overview, page 20
3 2024-2025 Aflac Workforces Report Executive Summary, page 52
42024-2025 Aflac Workforces Report Executive Summary, page 46
5 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report 

Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

SOURCE Aflac

DALLAS, March 7, 2025 /3BL/ – To empower future growth, iconic beauty and entrepreneurship company Mary Kay announced the appointment of Tara Eustace as Chief Opportunity and Sales Officer.

A trailblazer and long-time Mary Kay executive, Eustace will lead the Global Opportunity and Sales organization with a core mission: to put the “Mary Kay Opportunity” at the center of all entrepreneurial business strategies. She will oversee all Mary Kay regions, leading the team of region presidents and general managers in over 40 markets around the world.

Eustace’s newly formed organization will focus on transforming the Independent Beauty Consultant (IBC) experience, elevating them as personal beauty advisors for Mary Kay’s product portfolio, brand, and opportunity. With the core mission at the forefront, Eustace will be inviting the next generation to join the entrepreneurial journey. To achieve the vision, she and her team will digitally empower all generations of IBCs with every opportunity to connect their businesses with consumers through digital upskilling, innovative digital tools, and e-commerce solutions across integrated platforms and channels.

Eustace will drive the streamlining of global sales operations, activating four strategic areas: global salesforce development and education, global salesforce experience, global salesforce insights & analytics, and global salesforce social commerce and communications. This includes a commitment to expanding Mary Kay’s footprint to empower women to pursue the dream of owning their small businesses wherever they are.

“Tara and her team are on a mission to ignite passion around the Mary Kay Opportunity, putting it at the forefront of everything we do,” said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mary Kay. “With her entrepreneurial and visionary mindset and a track record of breaking into new markets, Tara will be instrumental in shaping the future of the business for our Independent Beauty Consultants and their customers, leveraging technology and elevating our unparalleled experience to new heights in the beauty and direct-selling industries.”

Eustace has served in various leadership positions worldwide over the course of her more than thirty-year career. Her unwavering commitment to women’s entrepreneurship has contributed to reshaping the direct selling industry, touching the lives of millions of women, from personal growth to financial rewards and more. Eustace has led Mary Kay’s growth in Europe and beyond, spearheading the most recent Mary Kay expansions into Hungary in 2023 and Kyrgyzstan in 2024.

“When Mary Kay Ash founded our company, she knew that no greater opportunity existed for women than the one we have to offer. I am energized to ignite innovation, empower our Independent Beauty Consultants to sell with confidence wherever they are, and connect the next generation to a vibrant, sustainable, and dynamic earning opportunity,” said Tara Eustace, Mary Kay’s Chief Opportunity and Sales Officer. “Every single one of our Independent Beauty Consultants is a small business owner who directly benefits from the sale of Mary Kay products. When local customers purchase Mary Kay products from Independent Beauty Consultants, they support a family. And when they support a family, they support a dream.”

Eustace holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies and International Relations from the University of Virginia, United States. She serves on the European Direct Selling Association’s (Seldia) CEO Council Board.

As International Women’s Day (IWD) approaches, this leadership appointment by Ryan Rogers honors Mary Kay Ash’s legacy of empowering women. At Mary Kay, women make up 54% of the executive team, 63% of the global workforce, and 63% of the R&D team1.

Did you know:

Nearly 30% of sales force members who started a Mary Kay business over the past year are under the age of 352.In 2023 and again in 2024, Mary Kay was named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care & Color Cosmetics in the world by Euromonitor International3.

1Source: Women Representation and Leadership at Mary Kay (May 2024)

2Source: Mary Kay Inc. 2024 U.S. data

3“Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2024 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2023 data”

In honor of International Women’s Day, we sat down with Daisy Sheen, Head of ESG, KPMG in China, and Maura Hodge, US Sustainability Leader, KPMG in the US, who share their stories on their careers to-date, the challenges and opportunities they have experienced, the advancements seen in the industry, and the important role women play in ESG and sustainability.

Click here to listen to episode 35 of ESG voices

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., March 7, 2025 /3BL/ – National Cereal Day (March 7) is the perfect time to rediscover the original breakfast classic of cereal and the benefits that can be found in the cereal aisle today. Many people may not know that cereal is the No. 1 source of fiber for kids.[1] Cereal eaters also get more essential nutrients than non-cereal eaters and consume no more added sugar than those who don’t eat cereal.[2]

“As a registered dietitian and cereal-lover, my favorite thing about cereal is it provides many key nutrients often lacking in most people’s diets,” said Sarah Ludmer, Chief Wellbeing and Sustainable Business Officer at WK Kellogg. “Cereal also is often how people introduce other nutrient-rich foods like milk, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds to their diets, which can be customized to fit individual dietary needs.”

What You May Not Know About Cereal

A Fiber Destination 

For the 95% of Americans who don’t get enough fiber, the grain in cereals can help fill that deficit.[3] Cereal is the No. 1 source of fiber for kids and is also the top breakfast source of whole grains for children.[4] WK Kellogg makes more than 140 cereals that offer a good source of fiber and more than 70% of its cereals contain at least eight grams of whole grains.

Good Source of Protein

Did you know that a bowl of cereal and milk can provide as much protein as an egg? One egg offers six grams of protein, while cereals like Frosted Mini-Wheats® and Kellogg’s Raisin Bran® have five grams and milk provides another six. Some Special K® and Kashi® cereals even offer 10 grams or more in protein. Since 90% of cereals are consumed with milk, they’re a powerful breakfast choice with protein.

Simple Grains with Few Ingredients

More and more people are seeking to get back to basics, and cereal is much simpler than you may think. Most cereals start with grains that are simply puffed, toasted, flaked or shredded. Many WK Kellogg cereals contain minimal ingredients: grains, sugar, flavor and salt plus vitamins and minerals.

Nutrient-Rich

Cereal eaters get 14 more essential nutrients than non-cereal eaters,[5] which is a big deal when you consider more than 90% of Americans have a vitamin deficiency.[6] Many cereals are a great source of nutrients like Vitamin D, Calcium, Fiber, Iron and Folate. In fact, eating cereal has been positively associated with higher diet quality and is not associated with higher body weight among Americans.[7]

Added Nutrients Without Added Sugar

Research continues to show that cereal contributes to only 5% of added sugar in American diets and cereal eaters get no more added sugar than those who don’t eat cereal.[8] A majority of cereals in market also have less than 12 grams of added sugars per serving which is less than a tablespoon, and many cereals have single digit or zero added sugar.

About WK Kellogg Co

At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Froot Loops®, Kashi®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran®, and Bear Naked®. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger® and Toucan Sam®, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve. Through our sustainable business strategy – Feeding HappinessTM – we aim to build healthier and happier futures for families, kids and communities. We are making a positive impact, while creating foods that bring joy and nourishment to consumers. For more information about WK Kellogg Co and Feeding Happiness, visit www.wkkellogg.com.

Media:

media.hotline@wkkellogg.com 
269-401-3002

[1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, General Population, children ages 2-17 years old, [2017-2018]

[2]Zhu Y, Jain N, Vanage V, Holschuh N, Agler AH, Smith JD. Association between Ready-to-Eat Cereal Consumption and Nutrient Intake, Nutritional Adequacy, and Diet Quality in Adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016. Nutrients.

[3] Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 10;12(6):1735. doi: 10.3390/nu12061735. PMID: 32531972; PMCID: PMC7352522.

[4]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, General Population, children ages 2-17 years old, [2017-2018]

[5] Zhu Y, Jain N, Vanage V, Holschuh N, Agler A, Smith J. Association between ready-to-eat cereal consumption and nutrient intake, nutritional adequacy, and diet quality in adults in the national health and nutrition examination survey 2015–2016. Nutrients. (2019) 11:2952. doi: 10.3390/nu1112295

[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Second Nutrition Report: Guidelines and Recommendations

[7]Sanders, Lisa M., et al. The Relationship of Ready-To-Eat Cereal Intake and Body Weight in Adults: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies and Controlled Trials. no. 4, July 2023

[8]RTEC: A Powerhouse of Nutrient Delivery in the US Dietary Pattern. Trend and percent daily contribution data: NHANES 2017-2018. Nutritional Strategies Inc. March 2021. Added Sugars in American Children’s Diet: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2015-2016

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Direct Relief, one of the world’s leading humanitarian aid organizations, announced today that Amy Weaver will become its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 5, 2025. Weaver is the President and Chief Financial Officer at Salesforce and previously served as Chief Legal Officer for the Fortune 500 company.

In a letter to Direct Relief employees, Mark Linehan, Chair of the Board of Directors, wrote, “Amy is a truly accomplished professional and an outstanding human being. In selecting Amy, we sought a leader with the caliber, passion, and experience to guide Direct Relief through the accelerating scale and complexity of the humanitarian challenges that lie ahead. She is widely known for being a deeply strategic and deliberate thinker–a force for change who always puts people first.”

Weaver brings a unique professional background spanning business, law, finance, and operations. In her nearly 12 years at Salesforce, Weaver led the global finance organization as Chief Financial Officer, the global legal and corporate affairs organization as Chief Legal Officer, and oversaw many different functions across the business including Global Communications, Real Estate and Workplace Services, Corporate Development, Accessibility, Government Affairs, Audit, and Ethics & Compliance. Prior to Salesforce, Weaver was an EVP and General Counsel at Univar and SVP and Deputy General Counsel at Expedia Group.

An attorney by trade, Weaver has worked around the globe — in private practice in both the United States and Hong Kong, and as a legislative aide to a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. She began her legal career as a clerk on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Weaver follows Thomas Tighe who led the organization with distinction for 24 years, expanding Direct Relief’s reach to become the fifth-largest charity in the United States and among the largest providers of charitable medications within the U.S. and globally. Dr. Byron Scott will continue to serve as the interim Chief Executive Officer until May 4, after which he will continue to serve as the interim Chief Operating Officer until the COO position has been filled and onboarded to ensure a seamless and smooth transition.

“Over the past 75 years, Direct Relief has established a powerful legacy of delivering meaningful impact to those in need,” said Weaver. “I’m honored and excited to build on that foundation and help shape the future of humanitarian response. As global challenges grow more urgent and complex, Direct Relief has a responsibility not just to meet the demand for medical aid, but to lead the way in reimagining how we respond to a rapidly changing world. I’m inspired by the dedication and expertise of this incredible team, and I look forward to working together to drive innovation and make an even greater difference.”

Weaver is a longtime advocate for affordable housing and disaster response. She served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity International, provided on-the-ground volunteer support to Habitat in Kenya, Poland, and Puerto Rico and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

About Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. Recipient of the 2025 Seoul Peace Prize, Direct Relief is ranked by Forbes as the fifth-largest U.S. charity and maintains a perfect 100% rating from Charity Navigator. For more information, please visit directrelief.org.

Authored by Baker Tilly’s Doug Baldessari

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has opened significant opportunities for municipal utilities to capitalize on biogas projects through substantial Investment Tax Credits (ITCs). These tax credits, under the Section 48 tax regime, have provided financial incentives for biogas energy properties, including digesters and biogas cleaning equipment. With the transition to the new Section 48E tax regime for projects that begin construction on or after January 1, 2025, the focus has shifted to electricity production and net-zero requirements. This change has important implications for municipal utilities, but the continued availability of direct pay provisions and the importance of timely project initiation remain crucial for maximizing these benefits.

Municipal utilities have had the ability to get very large tax credit incentives for eligible biogas projects through the IRA in the form of ITCs which can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars. The base ITC percentage for eligible biogas energy property is 6% with the total ITC percentage normally ends up ranging from 30% – 50% of eligible biogas energy property costs when the prevailing wage and apprenticeship, domestic content and energy community requirements are met.

ITC Eligible projects that began construction by Dec. 31, 2024

These ITCs have been under the Section 48 tax regime which is energy property based for projects which began construction (meeting IRS “begun construction” rules) by Dec. 31, 2024. Under Section 48 these biogas-eligible assets for the ITC include all assets integral to the production of biogas, including digesters, biogas cleaning equipment and other improvements. Qualifying biogas assets under Section 48 which could be used in the treatment process, produce energy, and be piped and sold to a nearby gas utility resulting in significant additional revenues for municipal utilities for the foreseeable future. Baker Tilly has been assisting with many municipal utilities to maximize ITCs for these and other qualifying ITC projects.

ITC Eligible projects which begin construction on and after Jan. 1, 2025

Projects which begin construction on and after Jan. 1, 2025, will no longer be energy property based; instead, they will need to produce electricity and meet net-zero requirements to qualify for ITCs. Therefore, projects that generate biogas and are piped and sold to nearby utilities will no longer be eligible. The Section 48 final regulations (released on Dec. 4, 2024) made it clear that biogas assets such as digesters and gas cleaning equipment will no longer be eligible under Section 48E; this will significantly reduce the ITC dollar value for many municipal utility projects. Nevertheless, meeting the IRS 80/20 rule for replacement or improvements to qualifying biogas projects has likely gotten easier to meet under the Section 48 final regulations.

What’s ahead for biogas ITCs for municipal utilities?

Under the new Section 48E tax regime, significant ITCs are still available for biogas projects producing electricity and meeting the IRA requirements which will now include net-zero requirements by having prepared a zero-greenhouse gas emissions report. The direct pay provision continues to be available for IRA ITCs which will feel much like a reimbursable grant for municipal utilities.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to obtain these direct pay incentives for your municipal utility. Remember ITCs are entitlements when you meet the requirements of the IRA and are not subject to a competitive process. Timing can be a concern with possible changes to the IRA in the next couple of years, so it’s a good idea to move projects forward as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions or believe you have a qualifying biogas project, Baker Tilly is here to help you navigate the process and maximize your credits.

For more information, connect with a Baker Tilly specialist. 

IntelliSense™, a new option for CNH brand, New Holland’s High Density (HD) BigBaler has been recognized with one of the highest accolades awarded by American agricultural engineers.

IntelliSense helps operators boost productivity, bale quality, fuel efficiency, sustainability, and comfort by automating key baler and tractor functions.

Created to celebrate breakthrough innovations in areas of agricultural, food and biological systems engineering, the Davidson Prize is judged from entries put forward for the AE50, a fifty-strong set of agricultural engineering products that are selected by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for their innovation, significant engineering advancement and impact on the market served. The ASABE then works with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to determine the three most innovative products worthy of the Davidson Prize.

Large square baler operations typically demand long hours of continuous focus, adjusting steering to follow the swath, and observing crop flow to prevent overloads and blockages by changing tractor speed to match. In addition, to ensure production of consistent bales the driver must observe the bale fill indicator and correct the tractor path accordingly, while also monitoring bale slice numbers and weights.

By proactively adjusting tractor steering according to the swath ahead, and automatically adjusting speed to swath density, IntelliSense relieves the driver of these demands, maintaining high capacity with minimal blockage risk, and helping minimize fuel use through optimum engine management. Consistent chamber-filling keeps bale weights on target and bale shape uniform.

Click here to read more about IntelliSense™.

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio, March 6, 2025 /3BL/ – Sofidel is pleased to announce the delivery of a new Yankee Dryer on March 2nd, 2025, to its Circleville facility, marking a significant milestone in the papermaking process. The Yankee Dryer, considered the heart of a tissue machine, is intended to be installed on a new Valmet paper machine, the third one in facility whose start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.

This Yankee Dryer, which weighs approximately 321,000 lbs (160.5 tons) and has a diameter of 18.5 feet and a width of 22 feet, became a key asset in Sofidel’s ongoing commitment to producing high-quality tissue products. The Yankee Dryer was manufactured at Valmet’s facility in Karlstadt, Sweden, before being shipped across Europe to the Bremen Ports in Germany.

The journey to the United States began on December 12th, 2024, and took about a month to reach the port of New Orleans, arriving on January 14th, 2025.  Due to the size and weight of the Yankee Dryer, transportation took place in stages, with the equipment traveling approximately 40-60 miles per day in compliance with road weight restrictions. The full route plan from Portsmouth to Circleville had been carefully mapped out to ensure safe and efficient delivery. The addition of the new Yankee Dryer helped further enhance the facility’s capacity and efficiency.  

After clearing the New Orleans port, the Yankee Dryer embarked on its journey up the Mississippi River, continued along the Ohio River, and finally arrived in Portsmouth, Ohio, on February 22nd, 2025. After some preparation, the dryer began its escorted journey to the Sofidel Circleville facility on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, and was expected to arrive at its destination by March 1st, 2025. However, due to technical difficulties on March 1st, the Yankee Dryer was delivered on Sunday, March 2nd. 

The new paper machine has a production capacity of 70,000 tons per year. Once it is fully operational, the Circleville plant will reach a total production capacity of over 200,000 tons per year, becoming the most important in the Group.

Sofidel Group

The Sofidel Group, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca, Italy), is one of the leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use worldwide. Established in 1966, the Group is active in 13 countries, 12 in Europe and the United States (11 States), with over 9,000 employees and a production capacity of 1,852,000 metric tons per year (these numbers also include the acquisition of ST Paper and CLW Tissue in 2024). In 2023, the Group had net sales of 3,129 million Euros. “Regina”, its most well-known brand, is present on almost all the reference markets. Other brands include: Sopalin, Le Trèfle, Hakle, Softis, Nalys, Cosynel, KittenSoft, Nicky and Papernet. Sofidel is committed to reaching Net-Zero carbon emissions by the end of 2050.

 www.sofidel.com

SWORDS, Ireland, March 6, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, is pleased to announce Amber Mulligan and Yisarai Valbuena Sanchez as recipients of The Manufacturing Institute’s 2025 Women MAKE America Awards, a national award program that honors women across all levels of the manufacturing industry who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers.

Amber was named a Women MAKE Awards Honoree, which honors women who’ve made a significant impact in the manufacturing industry. Yisarai was named a Women MAKE Awards Emerging Leader, which honors young women in manufacturing who’ve excelled early in their career.

As Vice President of North America Commercial Services & Sales at Trane Technologies, Amber has spearheaded a strategic transformation in commercial HVAC sales and marketing, with a focus on data-center and high-tech vertical markets. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of female manufacturing talent is deeply personal, having mentored over 100 women throughout her career. Amber has also played a key role in the Trane Technologies Women’s Employee Network and serves on the board of directors for Charlotte Family Housing, a shelter-to-housing program for working families in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Yisarai is an Outdoor Systems Refrigeration Engineer who is leading the development of a groundbreaking heat pump that operates efficiently in cold climates. Her role in designing four complex, variable-speed, efficient systems received the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers’ 2024 Climate Sustainability Award. As a first-generation immigrant from Colombia and college graduate, Yisarai is dedicated to making women—especially women of color—feel represented in the manufacturing industry and has already mentored eight young women at Trane Technologies.

“We are incredibly proud of Amber and Yisarai for being recognized with the 2025 Women MAKE America Awards,” said Mauro Atalla, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, Trane Technologies. “Amber’s strategic leadership and dedication to mentoring have significantly advanced our commercial HVAC sales and marketing efforts, while Yisarai’s innovative engineering and commitment to representation have set new standards in our industry. Their achievements inspire others and exemplify our core values of challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world.”

To lead industry-wide change and create a more diverse workforce, Trane Technologies aims to increase the number of women in management positions by 2030. The company achieved gender parity on its Board of Directors in 2023 and received the “GB” designation in 50/50 Women on Boards Gender Diversity Directory™. Trane Technologies was also the first company in its industry to join Paradigm for Parity, a coalition of businesses dedicated to addressing the leadership gender gap.

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About Trane Technologies 
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane and Thermo King, and our environmentally responsible portfolio of products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation. Learn more at tranetechnologies.com. 

About The Manufacturing Institute 
The Manufacturing Institute builds, diversifies and strengthens the modern manufacturing workforce, with the goal of furthering individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. The MI engages underrepresented communities and shifts perceptions about careers in modern manufacturing, leads skilled training and career development programs, provides thought leadership and research on the changing state of the workforce and builds partnerships to scale up its impact on manufacturing in the United States. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions for the industry’s toughest challenges. For more information, please visit themanufacturinginstitute.org.