Tag: 3BL

Originally published on GoDaddy 

TEMPE, Ariz., November 13, 2024 /3BL/ — Consumers are in a giving mood this year, not just toward their friends and families, but also to small businesses. According to a new GoDaddy survey, 71%* of U.S. shoppers are willing to pay more to support small businesses during Black Friday and this year’s holiday season, with an eye-popping 53%* of them willing to spend up to 10 percent more to do so.

Despite 65%* of survey respondents agreeing that inflation will impact their shopping this holiday season, their desire to shop small is clear. More than 3 in 4 (78%)** people are as or more likely to shop at a small business this Black Friday and throughout the holidays compared to previous years, with Gen Z being the most likely to shop small (85%)** and Millennials following closely behind (83%)**.

Of the reasons to favor small businesses, 30% of respondents cited wanting to support their local economy, while 18% claimed doing so led to better customer service, and 13% preferred unique or handmade products**.

The Stakes Are Big for Small Businesses

GoDaddy surveyed U.S. consumers to help small businesses understand their customers’ shopping priorities during the all-important holiday season. According to the survey results, 40%* of U.S. consumers plan to do most of their holiday shopping in the next four weeks, with almost 1 in 5 (19%)* planning to do the bulk of their shopping on Black Friday alone.

“Black Friday has long been considered peak selling season for large retailers, but GoDaddy’s research makes it crystal clear U.S. shoppers are willing and eager to make this the smallest Black Friday ever,” said GoDaddy Small Business Trends Expert, Amy Jennette. “Despite inflation concerns and rising costs, consumers want to support their local businesses and economies.”

Jennette continued: “To take advantage of this opportunity, small businesses should lean into the ‘shopping small’ experience that consumers value and are willing to pay more for. They can do this by focusing on unique holiday promotions and offers to attract traffic and provide superior customer service along with unique products and experiences they can’t find elsewhere.”

Who Consumers Are Shopping for and How Much They’re Spending 

GoDaddy’s survey also shows consumers are embracing the spirit of giving. Nearly one-third (31%) of consumers purchase gifts for six or more people, and 10%* extend their shopping lists to more than 10 people.

For many, the holiday season is a time to show their generosity, with about a fifth of respondents (22%)** typically spending more than $100 per person. Additionally, 32% of shoppers who participated in the survey reported spending between $51 and $100 per person during the holidays. That means over half (54%) of respondents plan to spend more than $50 on gifts per person this holiday season.

Spreading holiday joy isn’t just about giving gifts to others. Two-thirds (67%)** of consumers intend to treat themselves to a holiday indulgence, as well. Gen Z is the most likely to do so, with 83%** planning to buy themselves a special item or experience.

So Many Tools and Resources to Help Small Businesses This Holiday Season

Small businesses looking for guidance on how to maximize their seasonal sales should visit GoDaddy’s Ultimate Guide to Holiday Campaign Planning. Valuable resources include holiday marketing advice by channel, do’s and don’ts for offering seasonal promotions, AI prompts that make it easy to manage and promote a business during the busiest time of year, and much more.

Visit GoDaddy.com to learn more about the solutions GoDaddy offers small businesses, including the AI-powered GoDaddy Airo experience that TechRadar called “a game-changer for small businesses looking to establish their online presence, particularly because of how much time and effort it saves.”

Methodology 
The survey data referenced in this news release was collected via two surveys in which U.S. consumers were asked about their holiday shopping habits: one conducted in October 2024 with 1,247 respondents* and one in September 2024 with 1,520 respondents**.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

Originally published on GoDaddy 

TEMPE, Ariz., November 13, 2024 /3BL/ — Consumers are in a giving mood this year, not just toward their friends and families, but also to small businesses. According to a new GoDaddy survey, 71%* of U.S. shoppers are willing to pay more to support small businesses during Black Friday and this year’s holiday season, with an eye-popping 53%* of them willing to spend up to 10 percent more to do so.

Despite 65%* of survey respondents agreeing that inflation will impact their shopping this holiday season, their desire to shop small is clear. More than 3 in 4 (78%)** people are as or more likely to shop at a small business this Black Friday and throughout the holidays compared to previous years, with Gen Z being the most likely to shop small (85%)** and Millennials following closely behind (83%)**.

Of the reasons to favor small businesses, 30% of respondents cited wanting to support their local economy, while 18% claimed doing so led to better customer service, and 13% preferred unique or handmade products**.

The Stakes Are Big for Small Businesses

GoDaddy surveyed U.S. consumers to help small businesses understand their customers’ shopping priorities during the all-important holiday season. According to the survey results, 40%* of U.S. consumers plan to do most of their holiday shopping in the next four weeks, with almost 1 in 5 (19%)* planning to do the bulk of their shopping on Black Friday alone.

“Black Friday has long been considered peak selling season for large retailers, but GoDaddy’s research makes it crystal clear U.S. shoppers are willing and eager to make this the smallest Black Friday ever,” said GoDaddy Small Business Trends Expert, Amy Jennette. “Despite inflation concerns and rising costs, consumers want to support their local businesses and economies.”

Jennette continued: “To take advantage of this opportunity, small businesses should lean into the ‘shopping small’ experience that consumers value and are willing to pay more for. They can do this by focusing on unique holiday promotions and offers to attract traffic and provide superior customer service along with unique products and experiences they can’t find elsewhere.”

Who Consumers Are Shopping for and How Much They’re Spending 

GoDaddy’s survey also shows consumers are embracing the spirit of giving. Nearly one-third (31%) of consumers purchase gifts for six or more people, and 10%* extend their shopping lists to more than 10 people.

For many, the holiday season is a time to show their generosity, with about a fifth of respondents (22%)** typically spending more than $100 per person. Additionally, 32% of shoppers who participated in the survey reported spending between $51 and $100 per person during the holidays. That means over half (54%) of respondents plan to spend more than $50 on gifts per person this holiday season.

Spreading holiday joy isn’t just about giving gifts to others. Two-thirds (67%)** of consumers intend to treat themselves to a holiday indulgence, as well. Gen Z is the most likely to do so, with 83%** planning to buy themselves a special item or experience.

So Many Tools and Resources to Help Small Businesses This Holiday Season

Small businesses looking for guidance on how to maximize their seasonal sales should visit GoDaddy’s Ultimate Guide to Holiday Campaign Planning. Valuable resources include holiday marketing advice by channel, do’s and don’ts for offering seasonal promotions, AI prompts that make it easy to manage and promote a business during the busiest time of year, and much more.

Visit GoDaddy.com to learn more about the solutions GoDaddy offers small businesses, including the AI-powered GoDaddy Airo experience that TechRadar called “a game-changer for small businesses looking to establish their online presence, particularly because of how much time and effort it saves.”

Methodology 
The survey data referenced in this news release was collected via two surveys in which U.S. consumers were asked about their holiday shopping habits: one conducted in October 2024 with 1,247 respondents* and one in September 2024 with 1,520 respondents**.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

AUSTIN, Texas, November 13, 2024 /3BL/ – Whole Cities, a Whole Foods Market Foundation project working to broaden access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education, announced today that it will award 71 Community First Grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States and British Columbia. This year’s grantees will receive an average of $9,000 each for a total investment of over $639,000. 

Founded in 2014, Whole Cities builds collaborative partnerships with community-led organizations to foster resilient, equitable food systems and transform community health. During the past 10 years, the project has partnered with over 332 nonprofits across 169 cities in the U.S. and Canada, contributing more than $5 million to local communities.

Whole Cities’ annual Community First Grant Program supports local partnerships between Whole Foods Market Team Members (employees) and nonprofits with programs serving adults and/or older youth that expand long-term access to fresh, healthy food and/or nutrition education. Team Members nominate eligible, locally led nonprofit organizations for the grant. Throughout the grant year, they participate in opportunities that support their partner’s mission.

“Since its inception, Whole Cities has believed in the power of homegrown solutions that are tailored to the goals of individual communities,” Dianna Purcell, Director of Programs for Whole Cities. “This year’s cohort of Community First Grant partners demonstrates the diversity of approaches that this work can take as leaders across the U.S. and Canada work to improve access to fresh healthy food and nutrition education for their neighbors.”

The 2024 – 2025 Community First Grant partners span 54 cities in 25 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province. Their projects include:

23 nutrition education and healthy cooking classes12 community gardens10 urban farms8 agricultural skills development programs7 special projects5 farmer’s markets, co-ops and grocery stores3 mobile markets2 SNAP and WIC incentive programs1 pop-up markets and CSAs

Here’s a snapshot of how some of these Community First Grant partners are transforming their local food landscape and advancing community health:

Chef Angels — This nonprofit in San Diego, California has a mission is to uplift, educate, and inspire underserved youth in their community through a culinary education. They offer teens and young adults immediate, short-term support and the tools and resources to develop long-term resilience and improved quality of life. 
 Food Assistance Match — Based in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, this community partner manages a SNAP incentive program that doubles the value of food assistance benefits at select farmer’s markets to bridge the gap between food-insecure populations and local farmers. 
 The Food Project — This Lincoln, Massachusetts nonprofit leads agricultural skills development programs that aim to create a productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. 
 The Refugee Collective — This 20-acre organic urban farm in Austin, Texas creates livelihood opportunities by reconnecting refugees from traditional farming cultures to land in their new communities and increasing food access through regenerative agriculture. 
 Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice — This six-time grantee is working to rebuild and improve underserved neighborhoods in the Bronx, New York by empowering individuals through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Since launching the Community First Grant program in 2016, Whole Cities has awarded 477 grants in 161 cities, investing over $3.4 million. 288 Team Members from 153 Whole Foods Market stores and every store support office have participated.

For more information on Whole Cities’ Community First Grant Program and other community engagement work, visit wholecities.org.

####

ABOUT WHOLE CITIES

Whole Cities is a project of Whole Foods Market Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization founded by Whole Foods Market based in Austin, Texas. Whole Cities has worked alongside more than 332 community-based organizations in more than 169 cities in the U.S. and Canada to improve neighborhood health through collaborative partnerships, nutrition education, and broader access to fresh, healthy food. Through vibrant grant programs, Whole Cities supports community gardens, urban farms, pop-up produce stands, agriculture skills development, farmers’ markets, mobile markets, healthy cooking classes and other community-directed initiatives to build thriving local food systems and improve health. For more information on Whole Cities and its programs, visit wholecities.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Nikki Newman-Sobhani
Nikki.Newman@wholefoods.com

AUSTIN, Texas, November 13, 2024 /3BL/ – Whole Cities, a Whole Foods Market Foundation project working to broaden access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education, announced today that it will award 71 Community First Grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States and British Columbia. This year’s grantees will receive an average of $9,000 each for a total investment of over $639,000. 

Founded in 2014, Whole Cities builds collaborative partnerships with community-led organizations to foster resilient, equitable food systems and transform community health. During the past 10 years, the project has partnered with over 332 nonprofits across 169 cities in the U.S. and Canada, contributing more than $5 million to local communities.

Whole Cities’ annual Community First Grant Program supports local partnerships between Whole Foods Market Team Members (employees) and nonprofits with programs serving adults and/or older youth that expand long-term access to fresh, healthy food and/or nutrition education. Team Members nominate eligible, locally led nonprofit organizations for the grant. Throughout the grant year, they participate in opportunities that support their partner’s mission.

“Since its inception, Whole Cities has believed in the power of homegrown solutions that are tailored to the goals of individual communities,” Dianna Purcell, Director of Programs for Whole Cities. “This year’s cohort of Community First Grant partners demonstrates the diversity of approaches that this work can take as leaders across the U.S. and Canada work to improve access to fresh healthy food and nutrition education for their neighbors.”

The 2024 – 2025 Community First Grant partners span 54 cities in 25 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province. Their projects include:

23 nutrition education and healthy cooking classes12 community gardens10 urban farms8 agricultural skills development programs7 special projects5 farmer’s markets, co-ops and grocery stores3 mobile markets2 SNAP and WIC incentive programs1 pop-up markets and CSAs

Here’s a snapshot of how some of these Community First Grant partners are transforming their local food landscape and advancing community health:

Chef Angels — This nonprofit in San Diego, California has a mission is to uplift, educate, and inspire underserved youth in their community through a culinary education. They offer teens and young adults immediate, short-term support and the tools and resources to develop long-term resilience and improved quality of life. 
 Food Assistance Match — Based in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, this community partner manages a SNAP incentive program that doubles the value of food assistance benefits at select farmer’s markets to bridge the gap between food-insecure populations and local farmers. 
 The Food Project — This Lincoln, Massachusetts nonprofit leads agricultural skills development programs that aim to create a productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. 
 The Refugee Collective — This 20-acre organic urban farm in Austin, Texas creates livelihood opportunities by reconnecting refugees from traditional farming cultures to land in their new communities and increasing food access through regenerative agriculture. 
 Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice — This six-time grantee is working to rebuild and improve underserved neighborhoods in the Bronx, New York by empowering individuals through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Since launching the Community First Grant program in 2016, Whole Cities has awarded 477 grants in 161 cities, investing over $3.4 million. 288 Team Members from 153 Whole Foods Market stores and every store support office have participated.

For more information on Whole Cities’ Community First Grant Program and other community engagement work, visit wholecities.org.

####

ABOUT WHOLE CITIES

Whole Cities is a project of Whole Foods Market Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization founded by Whole Foods Market based in Austin, Texas. Whole Cities has worked alongside more than 332 community-based organizations in more than 169 cities in the U.S. and Canada to improve neighborhood health through collaborative partnerships, nutrition education, and broader access to fresh, healthy food. Through vibrant grant programs, Whole Cities supports community gardens, urban farms, pop-up produce stands, agriculture skills development, farmers’ markets, mobile markets, healthy cooking classes and other community-directed initiatives to build thriving local food systems and improve health. For more information on Whole Cities and its programs, visit wholecities.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Nikki Newman-Sobhani
Nikki.Newman@wholefoods.com

Have you considered switching to sustainable transportation?

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Georgia. Choosing to walk, bike, or take mass transit to get where you’re going can have a big impact when enough of us make small changes in how we get around.

Tune into this Drawdown Georgia interview with John Devine, executive director of Go Georgia (formerly Georgia Bikes) to learn all about sustainable transportation alternatives.

Watch the video here.

CLEVELAND, November 13, 2024 /3BL/ – KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) expands its team with appointments of fund and equity relationship managers in the West and Midwest regions. The new additions include:

Eileen Tran joined as a low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) equity originator focused on expanding equity originations in the West region. She is based in Denver, Colorado, and reports to Stacie Nekus, Head of KeyBank Community Development and Lending and Investment (CDLI) Equity Growth Initiative. Tran brings nearly 14 years of experience focused on the affordable housing industry to KeyBank. Previously, Tran was an executive director and senior lead in affordable housing at Wells Fargo, where she oversaw the modeling, underwriting, negotiating and closing of low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) transactions. Tran earned her MBA at Indiana University and a B.B.A degree from the University of Louisville.

Joseph Jones joined as a Tax Credit Syndications fund manager responsible for structuring, managing, modeling, reporting, and providing management accounting for all types of a limited partnership’s tax credit investments and related entities. He is based in Richmond, Virginia. Jones reports to Christina Knuckles, Head of Equity Fund Management and Equity Acquisitions KeyBank CDLI. Joseph brings more than 14 years of affordable housing real estate experience to KeyBank. Previously, he was a senior director at Enterprise Community Partners where he was responsible for all aspects of structuring, marketing, offering and closing national multi-investor LIHTC funds. Joseph earned his MBA from Radford University and a B.S. from Virginia Tech.

“I am thrilled to welcome Eileen and Joseph to the team, where their expertise will continue to help us build our CDLI platform,” said Nekus. “KeyBank is committed to expanding affordable housing across the country and creating positive change in underserved communities.”

About KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment  
KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) finances projects that stabilize and revitalize communities across all 50 states. As one of the top affordable housing capital providers in the country, KeyBank’s platform brings together construction, acquisition, bridge-to-re-syndication, and preservation loans, as well as lines of credit, Agency and HUD permanent mortgage executions, and equity investments for low-income housing projects, especially Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing. KeyBank has earned 11 consecutive “Outstanding” ratings on the Community Reinvestment Act exam, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, making it the first U.S. national bank among the 25 largest to do so since the Act’s passage in 1977.

About KeyCorp  
KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $190 billion at September 30, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

CONTACT:  
Laura Mimura  
216.471.2883  
laura.mimura@key.com

KEY MEDIA NEWSROOM:  
www.Key.com/newsroom

DES MOINES, Iowa, November 13, 2024 /3BL/ – Principal Financial Group® announced it has earned the 2025 Military Friendly® Employer designation, honoring the company’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful opportunities for the military community.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly Employer designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over twelve hundred companies participated in the 2025 Military Friendly survey.

“We’re honored to receive the 2025 Military Friendly Employer designation. This recognition underscores our deep commitment to the military community,” said Dan Houston, chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group, we’ve long recognized that veterans bring invaluable skills to our team – qualities like integrity, teamwork, and a strong sense of accountability. We’re dedicated to providing the right mix of benefits, training, and support to help service members successfully transition their unique talents and experiences into rewarding careers with us.”

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score with an assessment of the organization’s ability to meet thresholds for Recruitment, New Hire Retention, Employee Turnover, and Promotion & Advancement of veterans and military employees.

“Organizations earning the Military Friendly Employers designation have wholeheartedly invested in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that bring about positive, life-changing results for our valued service members, dedicated military spouses, and esteemed veterans within their ranks. We salute these exemplary employers who raise the bar and understand that hiring military personnel is not merely an act of goodwill but a testament to a standard that truly embodies sound business wisdom. Their steadfast commitment to integrating military personnel into their workforce not only reflects their compassion but also underscores their business acumen,” said Kayla Lopez, Senior Director of Military Partnerships at Military Friendly.

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About Principal Financial Group® 

Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with nearly 20,000 employees1 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 145 years, we’re helping approximately 68 million customers1 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies2, a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and named as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at principal.com.

1 As of September 30, 2024   
2 Ethisphere, 2024    
3 Pensions & Investments, 2023  

About Military Friendly® Employers

Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,800 organizations compete annually for Military Friendly® designation annually. Military Friendly® ratings are owned by VIQTORY, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. VIQTORY is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/mfcguide/.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​ ©2023 Principal Financial Services, Inc.

3998941-112024

The Chemours Company (Chemours), a global leader in delivering innovative performance chemistry, today announced the winners of its fourth annual Carrier of the Year Award, which recognizes excellence in the transportation of Ti-Pure™ titanium dioxide (TiO2) to Chemours customers. Hirschbach Transportation Services received the Platinum Award and Marten Transport received the Gold Award. This is the third year in a row that these carriers have received the top two awards of the program.

“These exceptional partners have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service, reliability, and safety, ensuring that Ti-Pure™ products reach our customers efficiently,” said Diane Picho, Interim President, Titanium Technologies at Chemours. “Their dedication to excellence helps Chemours maintain our proud reputation as a trusted TiO2 partner to our customers. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership, rooted in our shared values, and achieving even greater success together.”

Hirschbach Transportation Services, a U.S.-based transportation company, was named the North America Platinum Carrier of the Year after winning the Gold award the past two years. Hirschbach more than doubled their truckloads with Chemours in 2023 while boasting an on-time delivery rate of 100%. Marten Transport, a U.S.-based transportation company, was named North American Gold Carrier of the Year, their fourth consecutive year receiving an award as part of this program. In 2023, Marten increased their truckloads with Chemours by 25% while also increasing their on-time delivery rate to 99%. Across categories, both carriers performed strongly while demonstrating unparalleled dedication and partnership.

The Titanium Technologies supply chain, procurement, and logistics teams, with support from CLX Logistics, developed criteria to evaluate top North American carriers by load counts. Carriers were assessed based on the 2023 rate of on-time pickup and delivery, customer service, safety, ease of doing business, EcoVadis score, among other metrics. The Titanium Technologies team assesses its carriers on an annual basis.

In a significant step toward sustainable development, DP World has expanded its Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure (SDID) to include Brazil, Senegal, and South Africa. This extension, which follows the company’s inaugural SDID in April 2024 focusing on India and Somaliland, underscores DP World’s deep commitment to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across critical regions in emerging markets.

With the inclusion of these three new countries, DP World is not only intensifying its sustainability efforts but also providing a comprehensive look at the tangible impacts its strategic investments have on communities and industries around the world. The SDID report reveals progress across a range of sustainability pillars, including resilient infrastructure, sustainable supply chains, and social impact initiatives. The company aims to bridge logistical and economic gaps in these regions, enhancing trade resilience and promoting community growth.

In Brazil, for example, DP World is collaborating with Rumo, a leading Brazilian logistics company, to develop a terminal in Santos capable of handling 12.5 million tons of grains and fertilizers annually. This project strengthens Brazil’s agricultural logistics and supports sustainable economic growth by improving the export capacity of vital resources.

Similarly, in Senegal, DP World’s investment of over $300 million has transformed port operations, with the Dakar terminal’s capacity increasing from 265,000 TEUs in 2008 to 800,000 TEUs by 2023. This investment not only bolsters Senegal’s trade connectivity but also facilitates access to markets previously difficult to reach, stimulating economic growth and opportunities for local businesses and communities.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO, highlighted the importance of these initiatives: “We are committed to investing at scale globally to strengthen trade resilience and foster positive social impacts in the communities where we operate. So we are immensely proud to extend this disclosure and highlight our contributions to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and bridge gaps in key developing economies. The report shows how the services DP World delivers create infrastructure, improve logistics services and provide opportunitities for communities.”

The development of this report was made possible through collaboration with the Impact Disclosure Taskforce, a global initiative composed of financial institutions and industry leaders dedicated to promoting standardized and reliable impact reporting. The SDID serves as a model for transparent impact measurement, allowing DP World to share clear insights into its contributions to social, economic, and environmental development.

Arsalan Mahtafar, Co-Chair of the Impact Disclosure Taskforce and Head of J.P. Morgan’s Development Finance Institution, said: “DP World has been a pioneer in using the Impact Disclosure Guidance to demonstrate how its business strategy will address country specific development challenges in key countries of operations. Their commitment to measuring and managing their development impact could provide SDG-focused investors the insights needed for informed investment and engagement decisions.”

The SDID not only strengthens DP World’s relationship with investors but also serves as a benchmark for other companies seeking to demonstrate their sustainability impact.

Cedric Merle, Co-Chair of the Impact Disclosure Taskforce, said: “DP World has led the way as the first company to pilot this framework. Now that it is fully operational, DP World has refined and expanded its application to other emerging markets in which it operates, including Brazil, Senegal, Somaliland, South Africa, and India. By showcasing real-world cases, DP World demonstrates the framework’s applicability and provides valuable insights on how to effectively communicate contributions to the SDG and close the development gap.”

Through continued adherence to the Impact Disclosure Guidance, DP World ensures that its investments meet rigorous standards for sustainable impact, which may position its securities as attractive options for sustainable capital. As the company continues to expand its efforts, DP World’s SDID remains a powerful testament to its vision for a future where logistics and infrastructure foster inclusive, sustainable growth around the globe.

For a complete view of DP World’s Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure, click here.

In 2023, we proudly delivered “Laboratorio de los Sueños,” an innovative environmental classroom at the Isidoro School in El Rosario de Marinilla, built entirely from recycled plastic waste. This initiative, marking our fourth iteration of the project and second classroom delivered, serves move than 40 students, providing a sustainable and dynamic learning environment.

In collaboration with the “Planeta Verde” cooperative and “Botellas de Amor” foundation, we collected 300 tons of recyclable plastic waste and transformed much of it into the classroom building and its furnishings. Additionally, we supplied 47 school kits and equipped a comprehensive library, reinforcing our commitment to educational enhancement through sustainable practices.

“We’re proud to enhance El Rosario de Marinilla’s learning spaces, reinforcing our comprehensive approach that merges environmental, economic, and social contributions to nourish lives,” said Zayda Martínez, general manager of Griffith Foods for the Andean Region.

This work is a result of an internal program Griffith Foods Colombia created to encourage proper waste management in the company called the ‘Súmate’ initiative. The initiative seeks to promote a culture of recycling at Griffith Foods facilities and for our employees at home. Since its beginning in 2019, a total of 600 tons of waste have been collected and the materials are processed with partners before being transformed into plastic wood. The plastic wood is used to make useful products for educational centers and schools (such as classrooms, desks or others).

Our Sustainability Journey 
At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Report. 

About Griffith Foods 
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

View original content here.