Black &amp; Veatch

Kohler

Scotts Miracle-Gro

Black & Veatch Survey Shows Sustainable Water Management a Top Priority for Australia’s Mining Industry 

Black & Veatch

Kohler Interns Volunteer Across Kohler, Wisconsin

14 Grass Alternatives To Try in Your Garden for a Unique, Low-Maintenance Lawn Idea

<img alt="&quot;Striving for Equality&quot; DEI 2024 badge. A person using sign language in front of a laptop in the background." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1f7096f4-aa25-4760-84ad-4e0046e1656d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/dei_AB_082924.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />AllianceBernstein is honored to be recognized as a Best Place To Work 24 for Disability Inclusion! We are proud to have earned high scores on the Disability Equality Index in both the U.S and the U.K.

Learn more about the Disability Equality Index via <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/disabilityin/" target="_blank">Disability:IN</a> at <a href="https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index/" target="_blank">https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index/</a>

AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment management firm that offers diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals, and private wealth clients in major world markets. We believe corporate responsibility, responsible investing and stewardship are intertwined. To be effective stewards of our clients’ assets, we strive to invest responsibly—assessing, engaging on and integrating material issues, including environmental, social and governance (ESG), and climate change considerations in most of our actively managed strategies (approximately 70% of AB’s total assets under management as of March 31, 2024). We also strive to hold ourselves as a firm to similar practices that we ask of issues. Our stewardship practices, investment strategy and decision-making are guided by our purpose, mission and values.

Our purpose—pursue insight that unlocks opportunity—inspires our firm to act responsibly. While opportunity means something different to each of our stakeholders; it always means considering the unique goals of each stakeholder. AB’s mission is to help our clients define and achieve their investment goals, explicitly stating what we do to unlock opportunity for our clients. We became a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2011. This began our journey to formalize our approach to identifying responsible ways to unlock opportunities for our clients through integrating material ESG factors throughout most of our actively managed equity and fixed-income client accounts, funds and strategies. AB also engages issuers when it believes the engagement is in the best financial interest of its clients.

Because we are an active manager, our differentiated insights drive our ability to deliver alpha and design innovative investment solutions. Material ESG and climate issues are important elements in forming insights and in presenting potential risks and opportunities that can affect the performance of the companies and issuers that we invest in and the portfolios that we build.

Our values provide a framework for the behaviors and actions that deliver on our purpose and mission. Values align our actions. Each value emerges from the firm’s collective character—yet is also aspirational.

<ul><li>Invest in One Another means that we have a strong organizational culture where diversity is celebrated and mentorship is critical to our success. When we invest in one another, we empower our employees to reach their potential, so that they can help our clients realize theirs. This enables us to partner with clients to design and deliver improved investment outcomes.</li>
	<li>Strive for Distinctive Knowledge means that we collaboratively identify creative solutions to clients’ economic, ESG and climate- related investment challenges through our expertise in a wide range of investment disciplines, close collaboration among our investment experts and creative solutions.</li>
	<li>Speak with Courage and Conviction informs how we engage our AB colleagues and issuers. We seek to learn from other parts of our business to strengthen our own views. And we engage issuers for insight and action by sharing ideas and best practices.</li>
	<li>Act with Integrity—Always is the bedrock of our relationships and has specific meaning for our business. Unlike many other asset managers, we’re singularly focused on providing asset management and research to our clients. We don’t engage in activities that could be distracting, or create conflicts—such as investment banking, insurance writing, commercial banking or proprietary trading for our own account. We are unconflicted and fully accountable.</li>
</ul>As of March 31, 2024, AB had $759B in assets under management, $528B of which were ESG-integrated. Additional information about AB may be found on our website, <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alliancebernstein.com%2F&amp;n=359591" target="_blank">www.alliancebernstein.com</a>.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/corporate-responsibility.html?syn:pan-emea:brand:3bl:eu942" target="_blank">here.</a>

AB Named Among Best Places To Work for Disability Inclusion

Synopsys released its annual <a href="https://www.synopsys.com/company/environment-social-governance.html" target="_blank">Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report</a> highlighting environmental, social, and governance performance.

Our Smart Future ESG strategy provides a focus and structure for how we manage our own operational impact and influence others around us to create a better world. We’re focused on reducing our own environmental footprint, and leveraging our expertise, resources, and problem-solving skills to inspire positive change throughout our ecosystem. As we continue to deliver trusted silicon to systems design solutions, our technology is enabling innovations that shape a smarter world, from low-power computing to enhancing human health and well-being, to bringing safety and security to autonomous vehicles.

“We really want to be driving innovations that build a better future for us and our customers in this era of pervasive intelligence,” said Synopsys CFO Shelagh Glaser. “It’s important that we’re operating responsibly when it comes to not only our resilient business, but in terms of how we’re treating the environment and fostering a great place to work.”

This year, we made important progress advancing our Smart Future strategy and toward our ESG goals – including the reduction of our carbon footprint with science-based targets, enabling customer innovation for a greener world, and empowering our global talent.

Read on for key highlights from our 2023 ESG Report. Also, check out a highlights <a href="https://www.synopsys.com/content/dam/synopsys/company/company-pdfs/esg-report-highlights-2023.pdf" target="_blank">infographic</a>.

Living our Values and Leading with Vision

<ul><li>Synopsys received an A- leadership score from CDP for our performance on climate action, demonstrating best practices in strategy, governance, and oversight of climate issues.</li>
	<li>Our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).. We are now committed to <a href="https://www.synopsys.com/blogs/chip-design/ghg-emission-reduction-goals.html" target="_blank">four near-term science-based targets</a>. Starting with this report, we will report annually on our progress.</li>
	<li>In our May 2023 global employee survey, employee participation was at 94%, with 89% of those employees recommending Synopsys as a great place to work. In addition, Synopsys is one of the <a href="https://www.comparably.com/awards/winners/best-global-culture-2024-large" target="_blank">top ranked companies for Best Global Company Culture</a> by Comparably.</li>
</ul>These highlights capture only a portion of our overall ESG efforts. We invite you to <a href="https://www.synopsys.com/content/dam/synopsys/company/company-pdfs/synopsys-2023-esg-report.pdf" target="_blank">read the report</a> for the full story of what we accomplished in 2023.

We welcome feedback on this report and our performance. Please send comments and suggestions to <a href="mailto:esg@synopsys.com" target="_blank">ESG at Synopsys</a>.

About Synopsys 
Catalyzing the era of pervasive intelligence, Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) delivers trusted and comprehensive silicon to systems design solutions, from electronic design automation to silicon IP and system verification and validation. We partner closely with semiconductor and systems customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&amp;D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow. Learn more at <a href="http://www.synopsys.com/" target="_blank">www.synopsys.com</a>.

Editorial Contact 
Kelli Wheeler 
Synopsys, Inc. 
(650) 584-5000 <a href="http://www.synopsys.com/" target="_blank">corp-pr@synopsys.com</a>

Synopsys Releases 2023 ESG Report: Our Commitment to a Smart Future

LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT 
“2023 was another year of NBK's steadfast dedication to sustainable practices, which was marked by the launch of our 3-year ESG Strategy Roadmap. Our roadmap lays out key goals and commitments in areas where we can significantly contribute to a sustainable and just transition to a low carbon economy. These are designed to make positive environmental and social impacts on the communities we serve. On behalf of NBK, I extend my gratitude to all our stakeholders for their consistent support. We're confident that together, we can fulfil our ESG commitments, achieving tangible results towards a sustainable, socially fair future. Let's continue forward to seize the opportunities that our shared commitment to sustainability offers.” Hamad Mohamed Al-Bahar 
Chairman

ABOUT 2023 NBK SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

This is NBK's eighth consecutive annual Sustainability Report and factsheet focusing on the 2023 fiscal year. The report provides a detailed summary of the Bank's significant ESG and sustainability matters, threats, and performance data. Here we also covered our entire ESG policies, strategies, and pledges for the reporting period. Our report is centered around the four pillars of NBK's enhanced ESG Strategy Framework. Moreover, this report is aligned with both domestic and global sustainability or ESG reporting standards and frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB), United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), Boursa Kuwait's ESG Reporting Guidelines, and Kuwait Vision 2035.

ABOUT NBK

NBK was established in 1952 and is the first shareholding company and a domestic bank within GCC to be locally founded. Currently, NBK is the leading conventional banking group in Kuwait. The bank also boasts about its credit ratings and brand value, positioning it among the top regional banks. NBK operates in 13 countries and boasts a network of more than 140 branches spread across 4 continents with its headquarters located in Kuwait. NBK's primary business operations include Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, NBK Wealth and Islamic Banking (through subsidiary Boubyan Bank).

ESG AT NBK

Leadership at NBK believes that sustainability is crucial for the bank's success and is strongly committed to integrating sustainability efforts with our core business actions, risk management, services, and operations. The ESG Strategy aims to support economic growth and act as an example of sustainable development. This strategy is built around four main pillars: Governance for Resilience; Responsible Banking; Capitalizing on our Capabilities; and Investing in our Communities.

GOVERNANCE FOR RESILIENCE

NBK upholds strong ethical standards and comprehensive strategic planning, supported by transparent governance structures. Combined with our robust risk management that buffers against various risks, these key elements assure stakeholders of our powerful leadership, oversight, and accountability. In 2023, NBK launched a modular ESG governance framework with Board oversight. NBK also adopted measures to handle climate and ESG risks and opportunities. In this context, NBK institutionalized alignment with the recommendations of Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) during the year and developed a roadmap for adequately integrating climate-related matters in the bank’s enterprise risk management framework.

Key Highlights in 2023:

<ul><li>The Board approved the Group ESG Strategy, setting a formal implementation mandate.</li>
	<li>ESG metrics have been integrated into the Board and Executive Management's responsibilities.</li>
	<li>A Sustainability &amp; Climate Change Committee, headed by the Vice Chairman &amp; GCEO, has been established.</li>
	<li>Five Sustainability Sub-Committees have been created, delegating ESG roles to the Executive Management.</li>
	<li>NBK joined the UNGC to enhance international alignment and stakeholder engagement.</li>
	<li>Maintained a score of ‘C’ from CDP, for both the Climate Change and Forest categories.</li>
</ul>RESPONSIBLE BANKING

NBK intends to enhance sustainable finance offerings and support clients' transition to sustainable business models. NBK recently incorporated ESG metrics into their client credit assessments, covering aspects like safety, environmental protection, succession planning, and governance. Moreover, we persistently monitor and handle our energy and water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and material usage and disposal, while also ensuring it is all accurately reported

Key Highlights in 2023:

Sustainable Finance:

<ul><li>Approximately USD 3.65 billion in Sustainable Assets.</li>
	<li>Expanded bank offerings to Eco-friendly EV and Housing Loans.</li>
	<li>Updated procurement policies to include ESG principles.</li>
</ul>Energy Management: 

<ul><li>Reduced electricity consumption by 5.75% YoY and 15.8% compared to our baseline year (2021) through proactive energy management.</li>
	<li>Installed Building Energy Management System (BEMS) in 22 local branches</li>
</ul>Climate Change and Decarbonization:

<ul><li>Reduced overall disclosed GHG emissions by 10.43% compared to baseline year (2021).</li>
</ul>Responsible Procurement:

<ul><li>NBK has revised its Procurement Policy with the inclusion of ESG, implementing a more sustainable procurement strategy and methodology.</li>
	<li>Local suppliers comprised 70% of NBK's total suppliers and 84% of the total procurement spending.</li>
</ul>CAPITALIZING ON OUR CAPABILITIES

NBK's strategy of 'Capitalizing on our Capabilities' is primarily focused on promoting sustainable business growth through organizational resilience. This starts with how we manage our workplace. Our policies, culture, practices, and programs are all designed to encourage a bank-wide transformation that aligns with our sustainability goals, achieved through extensive employee engagement and development programs. Alongside outlining our HR practices, we also state our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We strive to foster health, safety, and wellbeing, and continuously work towards establishing a flexible work environment that embraces digital solutions.

Key Highlights in 2023: Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion:

<ul><li>Women represent 44.0% of the workforce, with 28.8% females in managerial positions.</li>
	<li>Awarded by MEED: “Best Implementation of Diversity &amp; Inclusion Initiatives”.</li>
	<li>41.9% of new hires are female.</li>
	<li>84.5% of new hires are Kuwaitis.</li>
</ul>Employee Development:

<ul><li>Provided Sustainability Champions across the Bank with training on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.</li>
	<li>Introduced the Sustainability Essentials Training Program Group-wide, enhancing employees' understanding of key sustainability concepts.</li>
	<li>147,701 total training hours. On average, each employee received 6.1 training hours.</li>
	<li>Over 3,300 training hours on ESG-related topics with focus on Sustainability Awareness, Sustainable Finance, and Climate Risk Management.</li>
</ul>Employee Engagement and Wellbeing:

<ul><li>Implemented an Employee Grievance Policy, accessible to all employees via the NBK Group website.</li>
	<li>Launched the Employee Engagement Survey "Your Voice Matters" in 2023 to foster a better and more inclusive workplace.</li>
</ul>Digital Transformation:

<ul><li>Introduced a new mobile banking experience titled “Tailored for You”, offering NBK Customers the latest digital services</li>
</ul>INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Giving back to the community is an integral part of NBK's mission and therefore 'Investing in our Communities' is a critical component of our ESG Strategy. Our community investments primarily aim to offer superior customer service, promote financial inclusion, enhance financial literacy and accessibility, and provide customer security, including data privacy. In addition, NBK has an extensive history of making sizeable financial contributions to community development. We are continuously focused on maximizing the positive social impact of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). Key Highlights in 2023: Nationalization:

<ul><li>76.7% Nationalization rate.</li>
	<li>Launched the NBK Tech Academy in 2023, offering innovative digital transformation programs for Kuwaiti youth.</li>
</ul>Community Development:

<ul><li>Community Investments totaled KD 28 million in 2023 (USD 91 million), a 22% increase from 2022.</li>
	<li>“Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in the Middle East 2023” by Euromoney.</li>
	<li>NBK organized a Media Awareness Workshop on Sustainability and Climate Change, the first-of-its-kind in Kuwait.</li>
	<li>Committed KD 3.0 (USD 9.8) million for the restructuring of Shuwaikh Beach Waterfront in line with NBK’s corporate responsibility and sustainability principles.</li>
</ul>Financial Inclusion: 

<ul><li>Launched new designs for all our cards aligned with our inclusivity goals, including design themes especially for the visually impaired.</li>
	<li>Launched the “BANKEE” financial literacy program in Kuwait’s schools, with 15,940 students and around 3,400 teachers participating.</li>
</ul>Women Empowerment:

<ul><li>Excellence in Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Bronze Winner for NBK RISE by SHRM.</li>
	<li>Awarded by MEED: “Best Initiative for Women in Business”.</li>
	<li>Launched “She’s Next” initiative in partnership with VISA, a global advocacy program that aims to support women-owned small businesses.</li>
</ul>The 2023 NBK Sustainability Report can be found at: <a href="https://www.nbk.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports.html" target="_blank">https://www.nbk.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports.html</a> 
The 2023 NBK Annual Report can be found at: <a href="https://www.nbk.com/investor-relations/latest-annual-report.html" target="_blank">https://www.nbk.com/investor-relations/latest-annual-report.html</a>

For additional information about NBK’s sustainability work, please contact: 
Hisham Abouali 
Sustainability Manager <a href="mailto:sustainability@nbk.com" target="_blank">sustainability@nbk.com</a> 
Tel: +965-22295188

“Bridging the Gap: Towards a More Sustainable Future”

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/Meet%20Kelly%20%7C%20Simply%20Engineer_HARMAN_9.5.24A.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

<a href="https://www.harman.com/career/Career-Stories/Pages/Meet-Kelly---Navigating-the-World-of-Engineering-with-Empathy.aspx" target="_blank">Originally published on Life at HARMAN</a>

The Role and Responsibilities

Kelly has been with <a href="https://www.harman.com/" target="_blank">HARMAN</a> for two years and leads the North American Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) lab. The lab specializes in hardware validation testing of electronic products such as amplifiers and head units. Kelly's leadership philosophy centers around empathy, a quality she believes is often underestimated. "Sometimes empathy is overlooked as a leadership strength—but I'm here to challenge that," Kelly asserts. Leading a team of 10, she ensures the lab runs smoothly and efficiently and that the electrical components inside vehicles function as intended. This requires technical expertise, coordination, collaboration, and a deep understanding of her team members' needs and motivations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with coworkers." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87ada528-da19-40ac-9b92-c0519f19ff35" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24A.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />The Power of Emotions

Kelly believes being aware and mindful of emotions is crucial for fostering innovation and problem-solving in tech. "Acknowledging emotions allows people to be as creative and open as possible and to think of solutions that may not be obvious." She strives to create an environment where her team feels safe and comfortable, allowing them to thrive rather than just get the job done. This approach encourages creativity and helps overcome roadblocks by fostering a sense of connection and collaboration.

Doubt is Part of Being Successful​

One of Kelly's standout moments at HARMAN was her first meeting as the lead EMC engineer. Tasked with presenting validation results to a customer and negotiating deviations for anomalies observed during testing, Kelly faced skepticism about her ability to lead. She successfully led the meeting through careful preparation and coaching, building her confidence and establishing a strong working relationship with the customer. This experience was pivotal in her development as an engineer and a leader, reinforcing her ability to handle complex technical challenges and negotiations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly giving a high-five." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e37dffdf-44a4-4e7f-9ffa-ca057bd17332" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly._HARMAN_9.5.24B.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Advice for Aspiring Engineers

If you ask Kelly, she will tell you to "Stay hungry for knowledge. If there's something you're curious about, explore it by asking colleagues or managers or conducting your research." Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of networking with a diverse range of professionals, not just within one's immediate circle. "You never know when a relationship can lead to your next career opportunity."

Life Outside of Work

Balancing a demanding career and family life, Kelly often finds herself playing the roles of Uber driver and cheerleader for her kids' extracurricular activities. Whether shuttling them to gymnastics or basketball practice, helping with homework, or cheering them on at competitions, Kelly brings the same dedication and empathy to her family that she does to her work. "It's all about finding solutions and keeping everything running like a machine," she confesses.  
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly sitting at her desk." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b420f558-9e2e-4fc1-9bf0-3aea3a712d6a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24C.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Kelly's journey at HARMAN shows that empathy and leadership are not antithetic concepts but complementary realities. Her ability to balance technical acumen with emotional intelligence sets her apart as a leader in the automotive industry. Whether guiding her team through a technical challenge or supporting her kids through their activities, Kelly's empathetic approach ensures that everyone around her feels valued and empowered.​

In a field that often prioritizes hard skills, Kelly's story powerfully reminds us that empathy and human connection are just as critical for innovation and success.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with her son." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98aad0ad-1866-4fa1-b136-36d6c9ca78b7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24D.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harman-international/posts/?feedView=all" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/harman_intl/?igsh=ZzBnMnF1aDNhNTc%3D" target="_blank">Instagram​</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarmanInt" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to learn more about our view on leadership and innovation driven by people who feel valued.

Meet HARMAN Engineer Kelly; Navigating the World of Engineering With Empathy

<img alt="Collage of photo's of students participating in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="056d7294-3d55-436e-a59a-18d04af8bee6" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ProStartPastaComp_Whirlpool_081524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="751" loading="lazy" />Earlier this year, more than 400 students from across the state participated in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational sponsored by KitchenAid. It’s the highest-level competition for Michigan high school students training for culinary and hospitality careers. Through this program, students had the opportunity to compete against other culinary students, with the winning teams receiving an invitation to the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at the Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. for a unique culinary opportunity.

In the pasta competition, teams of young, aspiring chefs from five high schools were recognized for their pasta creations:

<ul><li>Bay Arenac ISD</li>
	<li>RCTC Ypsilanti</li>
	<li>Gaylord High School</li>
	<li>Allegan ESA</li>
	<li>DCTC Riverview High School</li>
</ul>Last month, these five high school teams were invited to work side-by-side with professional chefs at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. The teams reprised their pasta competition, this time judged by KitchenAid celebrity chefs in front of a live audience. They also had the opportunity to engage in educational sessions led by renowned chefs.

This in-depth experience helped the students gain insight into the hospitality industry and explore diverse career pathways. DCTC Riverview High School was crowned the grand champion with their Red Coconut Curry Pasta creation. Each team member from DCTC Riverview, including their educator, took home a KitchenAid stand mixer, and each participating team received a KitchenAid stand mixer for their classroom.

“The KitchenAid ProStart Pasta Competition took students beyond the kitchen and taught them critical life lessons around preparation, critical thinking, communication, flexibility and teamwork,” said Amanda Smith, executive director of the MHF. “These are all skills that directly relate to their future culinary careers, and experiences like this are invaluable at this point in their education.”

Opportunities in the industry are rapidly growing. Hospitality is currently an $18 billion dollar industry in Michigan supporting 595,000 jobs and ranks among the top 10 fastest growing sectors in the state with 20,000 current job openings. The KitchenAid brand hopes to further develop the next generation of culinary professionals across the state through impactful, hands-on education.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwhirlpoolcorp.com%2F&amp;n=28067" target="_blank">WhirlpoolCorp.com</a>.

View original content <a href="https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/kitchenaid-brands-support-of-michigan-hospitality-foundation-competition-gives-students-invaluable-culinary-experience/" target="_blank">here</a>.

KitchenAid Brand’s Support of Michigan Hospitality Foundation Competition Gives Students Invaluable Culinary Experience

<img alt="Close up of a bird in flight" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8e6c035-3d8f-4858-8626-bc4eec7b4025" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/GettyImages-1225473667.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="912" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Freports&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Originally published in International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report</a>

In 2023, the American Forest &amp; Paper Association (AF&amp;PA) honored International Paper with a Leadership in Sustainability Award for Resilient U.S. Forests. The award recognized our innovative approach to promoting forest bird awareness and conservation within the forest product supply chain in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). This multi-year partnership aims to integrate bird conservation into our procurement operations and value chain and provide a measurable contribution towards reversing the decline of forest birds.

One of the significant outcomes of this partnership is targeted work with an iconic bird species in the Southeastern U.S.: the Swallow-tailed Kite (STKI). STKIs are one of North America’s most beautiful birds of prey, with distinctive black and white plumage and a long, forked tail. They are also long-distance migrants that spend their spring and summer months in the Southeastern forests of the U.S. and then migrate to their wintering grounds in South America.

Since 2021, working with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, nine STKIs have been trapped and fitted with radio transmitters near International Paper mills in South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. This year alone, five STKIs have received transmitters. These transmitters allow us and our conservation partners to follow the STKIs’ movements across the landscape so we can further understand their specific habitat needs. Additionally, we can enter that data into our ForSiteTM mapping system to target conservation efforts and outreach in the most strategic areas.

This past year, the transmitters allowed researchers to document the amazing journey made by one of the male STKIs captured in Georgia, named Barrington. The bird’s migration started on the Altamaha River, where it led the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a pre-migration roost of over 600 STKIs — the first of its kind outside of Florida. The trackers then followed Barrington for four months on a long and winding journey over the Gulf of Mexico, including a 48-hour stretch over water, before continuing through South America into Bolivia and central Brazil — a truly incredible flight.

Forest certification

Forest certification underpins our commitment to sustainable forest management. Our procurement systems and mills are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) chain of custody standards and the SFI Fiber sourcing standard.

To meet the growing customer demand for certified products, our internal FSC forest management group, Certified Forest Management (CFM) LLC, helps small, private landowners become FSC-certified cost-effectively. It has become the largest privately run group of certified landowners in the U.S.

Since 2012, CFM has enrolled and maintained FSC forest management certification for:

920,769 acres in 607 properties across 11 states

<a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Ffile%2F2024-05%2F2023%2520International%2520Paper%2520Sustainability%2520Report.pdf%3FcacheToken%3Dkxdd2ffOwi2cxWz5&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Read more</a>

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.3blmedia.com%2Ftrack%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.internationalpaper.com%252F%26n%3D67052&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">internationalpaper.com/.</a>

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East &amp; Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.

Honored for Leadership: International Paper’s Commitment to Forest Bird Conservation

AllianceBernstein is honored to be recognized as a Best Place To Work 24 for Disability Inclusion! We are proud to have earned high scores on the Disability Equality Index in both the U.S and the U.K.

<img alt="Two people standing, talking to a third seated behind a booth." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77963126-0824-4c35-8b83-95d1cecacb64" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/workingparents_whirlpool_071724.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="750" loading="lazy" />Whirlpool Corporation recently was named to the 2024 Seramount 100 Best Companies for Working Parents list. Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm, rates companies for programs in categories such as paid time off and leaves; benefits and work-life programs; and workplace best practices.

<blockquote>
“For more than 100 years our success as a company can be attributed to one factor, our people,” said Carey Martin, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Whirlpool Corporation. “To ensure we have a talented, dedicated and diverse workforce, we must constantly evolve our programs to help improve the lives of our employees in and out of the office. We are honored to be recognized by Seramount as an organization leading the charge towards a more inclusive workplace, and we will continue to implement programs that support our organization’s working parents.”
</blockquote>

The 2024 Seramount 100 Best Companies application includes more than 200 questions related to leave policies, benefits, childcare, advancement, flexibility, and more. It surveys the availability and usage of these programs, as well as the accountability of the many managers who oversee them. Company profiles and data come from submitted applications and reflect 2023 data.

To view the full list of Seramount’s 100 Best Companies winners, visit <a href="https://seramount.com/best-companies/100-best-companies-winners-2024/" target="_blank">here</a>.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwhirlpoolcorp.com%2F&amp;n=28067" target="_blank">WhirlpoolCorp.com</a>.

View original content <a href="https://whirlpoolcorp.com/whirlpool-corporation-named-one-of-the-100-best-companies-for-working-parents-in-2024-by-seramount/" target="_blank">here.</a>

We are honored to be recognized by Seramount as an organization leading the charge towards a more inclusive workplace, and we will continue to implement programs that support our organization’s working parents.

Whirlpool Corporation Named One of the 100 Best Companies for Working Parents in 2024 by Seramount

<img alt="Large Sysco Truck on a Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01c6e886-545c-491f-a989-f0ddc226e820" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Truck_Z3C61917_medRes.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="741" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://investors.sysco.com/annual-reports-and-sec-filings/news-releases/2024/08-19-2024-220019210" target="_blank">Originally published on August 19, 2024 on sysco.com</a>

HOUSTON, September 11, 2024 /CSRwire/ - Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), the world’s largest food distributor, today announced its comprehensive plan to support the Food Traceability Rule, issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The new Food Traceability Rule mandates establishing a traceability recordkeeping system for certain foods to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially harmful products from the market. Effective summer of 2024, Sysco will begin to implement advanced traceability measures to ensure its food products' safety, quality and transparency from farm to table.

"Sysco is dedicated to leading the industry in food safety to protect our customers and our communities," said Charles Leftwich, Sysco’s Vice President of Food Safety and Quality Assurance. "As the industry leader, we’re not just working toward our own regulatory compliance, we’re also taking steps to help our suppliers comply.”

Key Components of Sysco's Traceability Initiative: 
   Strong Partnerships: To bolster its traceability efforts, Sysco will partner with iFoodDS, a leader in traceability, food safety and quality management solutions. This collaboration will give Sysco's extensive supplier network flexible, interoperable and pragmatic options for sharing data required by FSMA 204.

Enhanced Digital Tracking Systems: Sysco will leverage state-of-the-art digital technologies to streamline product tracking through every stage of the supply chain to provide real-time visibility and ensure the integrity of traceability data.

Supplier Collaboration: Sysco will work closely with its vast network of suppliers to implement traceability practices. Sysco in partnership with iFoodDS will provide education and guidance to align supplier processes with Sysco's traceability standards.

Customer Support: Sysco is committed to supporting its customers with an effective solution that provides clear and accessible information regarding the traceability of its products.

Continuous Improvement and Compliance: Sysco will establish an internal task force to monitor compliance and continuously improve traceability processes. This team will ensure that Sysco remains at the forefront of food safety and regulatory adherence.

About Sysco 
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion Report, can be found at <a href="https://www.sysco.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sysco.com</a>.

For more information, visit <a href="https://www.sysco.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sysco.com</a> or connect with Sysco on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods</a>. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at <a href="https://investors.sysco.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">investors.sysco.com</a>, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

For more information contact:

Media Contact 
Matt Stewart <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=olRuTPOxWogTDFIEECDXpmCqW7nKfUJzeS9Xsx1irTnqVqPqhTk2near5lde4FIDrcL-oDNlb6ilNkv_hMabQqvzgLNTKz5fbmNFWJHRf2A=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matt.Stewart@sysco.com</a> 
281-584-1390 

View original content <a href="https://investors.sysco.com/annual-reports-and-sec-filings/news-releases/2024/08-19-2024-220019210" target="_blank">here</a>.

Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), the world’s largest food distributor, today announced its comprehensive plan to support the Food Traceability Rule, issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

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