Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Financial
• Social
• Environmental

Environmental Achievements

• 38 percent reduction to landfill for the Grand Rapids campus
• 77 percent of the company’s annual PP purchases were based on post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material
• Successfully completed an external audit of ISO-14001 registration for the Automotive Solutions and the Industrial Solutions Groups, with no major or minor findings.

Social Achievements

• 97 former welfare recipients participated in the Welfare-to-Career program, with 30 achieving self-sufficiency
• 96 percent of at-risk high school seniors in the School-To-Career Progressions program enrolled in post-secondary education
• $3 million in bonuses paid to employees based on performance targets

Governance Achievements

• Participation in the Working Group on Global Corporate Citizenship and Risk Assessment, resulting in the drafting of a comprehensive business conduct policy

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Conflict of interest provisions in the Employee Guidebook did not constitute a comprehensive business conduct policy
• Consumption of non-renewable natural resources in the form of oil- and natural gas-based plastic resins

Mitigation Strategies

• A detailed business conduct policy has been drafted
• Accelerated research and development activities relating to alternative sources of resin and expanded recycling and closed-loop production and distribution initiatives

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Promoting relationships with diverse suppliers, including minority-owned companies

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Lowering the cost of resins by increasing alternative energy usage

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: ISO-14001

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Vestar FR™ resin, air duct coolers, Mirra™ office chair

Awards & Recognition

• #8 on the Great Place to Work® Institute list, Heart of West Michigan United Way Top Contributor Award, Society of Plastics Engineers award finalist, National Governors Association award, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Ergonomic Innovation Awards

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Economic
• Social
• Environmental

Environmental Achievements

• 38% reduction to landfill for the Grand Rapids campus
• 2,801,390 pounds of plastic diverted from landfill to a plastic recycler and reintroduced to a manufacturing process
• Purchased 50,000 KWH of green energy each month, resulting in a greenhouse gas offset of 551 MTCO2e
• Purchased and consumed 649.2 gallons of B5 biodiesel, resulting in a greenhouse gas savings of .33 MTCO2e
• Sent 1,401 tons of mixed plastic to BATA Plastics for recycling
• Implemented a waste management plan at The Learning Community resulting in recycling of cardboard, plastic, and office paper

Social Achievements

• Implemented Business Conduct Policies to promote ethical organization
• Conducted Business Continuity Planning gap analysis and addressed gaps
• Improved employee well-being program (WOW) with health fair and various initiatives
• Welfare-to-Career program helped 24 welfare recipients achieve self-sufficiency
• School-to-Career Progressions program helped 94% of 12th-grade students enroll in post-secondary education or obtain full-time employment
• On-site café run by Goodwill Industries provided job training and opportunities

Governance Achievements

• Not disclosed

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Global competition
• Increased plastic resin prices
• Rising costs of plastic resins and other materials

Mitigation Strategies

• Using recycled materials and regrind materials
• Developing environmentally friendly materials and specialty resins
• Integrating sustainability and the triple bottom line into business strategies and practices

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Growing constraints on the use and availability of all carbon-based fuels

Opportunities

• Energy conservation and operational efficiencies

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: BDO Seidman

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Celle chair (99% recyclable, 33% recycled materials)
• Vestar FR flame-retardant resin
• Air-duct coolers for diesel chassis and powertrain applications

Awards & Recognition

• Society of Plastics Engineers Environmental Stewardship Award
• Heart of West Michigan United Way Top Contributor Award
• Department of Environmental Quality Clean Corporate Citizen Designation
• Grand Rapids Women’s Resource Center Employer Recognition Award
• Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Ergonomic Success Award
• Consumer’s Energy Energy Partner Awards

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Economic
• Social
• Environmental

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced the amount of waste going to the landfill by over 60%
• Achieved 0 major and 0 minor findings in bi-annual external surveillance audits of the Environmental Management System (EMS)

Social Achievements

• Hosted an annual charity golf outing, with all proceeds donated to United Way
• 97% retention rate amongst participants in the Welfare-to-Career program
• Welfare-to-Career program resulted in nearly $1 million in annual savings for the State of Michigan, while Cascade cut absenteeism to half the U.S. average and achieved a 96% retention rate.
• Developed the BioSand Water Filter in collaboration with International Aid

Governance Achievements

• Received the Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Gold Award
• Industrial Solutions-Container Group received the Rising Star Award for workplace safety and health excellence from MIOSHA

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Not disclosed

Mitigation Strategies

• Not disclosed

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: ISO 14001

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• BioSand Water Filter

Awards & Recognition

• Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Gold Award
• MIOSHA Rising Star Award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Social
• Environmental
• Economic

Environmental Achievements

• LEED Platinum certification for corporate headquarters, reducing waste to landfill by 93%, irrigation water use by 98%, domestic water use by 59%, and energy consumption by 25%
• Development and commercialization of EcoCart™ using co-injection to incorporate 30-50% post-consumer recycled content
• Reduction of internal waste to landfill by 50% through Recycle Warriors initiative
• ISO 14001 certification for all campus operations, including Noble Polymers Facility

Social Achievements

• Welfare-to-Career program with 97% monthly retention rate over five years
• Partnership with International Aid to commercialize HydrAid™ BioSand Water Filter
• Diversity Visionary Award from Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
• Charitable contributions totaling $229,855 (9% increase from prior year)
• Improved employee health and wellness through Working on Wellness (WOW) program, increasing participation by 36%

Governance Achievements

• Establishment of a formal Sustainability Forum to guide and measure the company's sustainable strategy

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Not disclosed

Mitigation Strategies

• Not disclosed

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: LEED Platinum, ISO 14001

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• EcoCart™
• HydrAid™ BioSand Water Filter
• SWIFT™ Rooftop Wind Energy System

Awards & Recognition

• Diversity Visionary Award
• GPEC Sustainability and Recycling for a Greener Environment Achievement Award
• Clean Corporate Citizen Five Year Participation Award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Economic

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced waste to landfill expenditures from $268,000 in 2002 to $8,000 in 2009.
• Increased use of recycled plastic to record amounts.
• Developed a pallet made from 100% recycled plastic.
• Developed a non-volatile organic compound (VOC) in-mold coating process.
• Added solar products to renewable energy portfolio.
• CK Technologies’ Mt. Airy, NC facility received LEED certification.

Social Achievements

• 97% average monthly retention rate in Welfare-to-Career program (95% in 2009 due to recessionary adjustments).
• Continued involvement in Schools of Hope program.
• Increased charitable contributions by 21% to $154,481.
• Launched Health Horizons wellness program with 99% employee participation.
• Launched Women’s Mentoring program.
• Cascade Industrial Solutions Container Group awarded MIOSHA's MVPP Star Award for safety.

Governance Achievements

• Not disclosed

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Economic recession impacting raw material prices and sales volumes.
• Recessionary adjustments (retirements and voluntary buyouts) affecting Welfare-to-Career program retention.

Mitigation Strategies

• Intensified sustainability commitment as a leading business strategy.
• Focused on innovation in both product/service growth and impact reduction.
• Maintained commitment to using recycled plastic despite increased relative cost.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Increased use of recycled materials.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Development of renewable energy products (SWIFT Wind Turbine, solar PV systems).

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: ISO 14001

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• SWIFT Wind Turbine
• 100% recycled plastic pallet
• enviroCKote™ In-Mold Coating
• RainStore rainwater collection system
• Goodbyn™ sustainable lunchbox
• Flute Personal Light

Awards & Recognition

• Society of Plastics Engineers’ GPEC 2009 Environmental Award (SWIFT Wind Turbine)
• 2010 Housewares Design Award (RainStore)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Economic

Environmental Achievements

• Slight increase in waste sent to landfill attributed to significant employee growth; transitioned from "Reduction of Waste-to-landfill" to "Zero Waste-to-landfill"; increased use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content and Post-Industrial Recycled (PIR) content by about 2.4 million pounds compared to 2009; CK Technologies reduced paint consumption by more than 50% and increased transfer efficiencies by at least 20% with the addition of robots to their paint line, reducing VOCs and landfill waste; Cascade Renewable Energy (CRE) installed nearly 500 kW of solar PV systems.
• Four facilities had zero recordable safety incidents.

Social Achievements

• Sent 1,000 water filters to Haiti following the earthquake; partnered with various organizations to provide safe drinking water; Cascade Engineering’s North Plant has the capacity to produce 250,000 water filters a year; participation in Project COOL, providing summer work experiences for youth; partnered with the City of Grand Rapids' Mayor 50 initiative to provide jobs for young people; launched The Pink Cart program, donating $5 to breast cancer awareness/research for every cart purchased; continued operation of the Welfare-to-Career program and expanded its impact through the SOURCE and Quest Sustainable Solutions; awarded Jo-Anne Perkins the YWCA's TRIBUTE! Award for her work on The Pink Cart; initiated dialogues and programs to confront racism within the company; sponsored partial scholarships for college students and supported the Montpelier High School robotics program; participated in Kairos prison outreach program.

Governance Achievements

• No major or minor findings in the external audit for the environmental management system (EMS) in 2010; 2010 renewal as a Clean Corporate Citizen by the Department of Natural Resources and involvement in the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Program; awarded MEGA tax credit from the State of Michigan for hiring new employees to support sustainable product lines; awarded Act 328 Property Tax Abatement from Cascade Township for investment in sustainable businesses.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Slight increase in waste sent to landfill in 2010 despite efforts; increase in safety incidents compared to the previous year due to increased employees and resource reallocation; two citations from Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration resulting in $1,200 in fines; economic uncertainty and the need to adapt to changes in the automotive industry.

Mitigation Strategies

• Transitioned to "Zero Waste-to-landfill" goal; focused on incident reporting and proactive safety measures; implemented strategic plan to serve as a niche player in certain technologies within the automotive industry; joined forces with the Transportation Group to share sustainable green technologies; increased use of recycled materials in products; adapted to facility closures for a customer's plant in Canada by seamlessly transferring operations to Mt. Airy, NC; expanded operations to support a customer's production line in Garland, TX.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Use of recycled materials

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Growth in renewable energy sector

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Hydraid water filter
• Pink Cart
• Recycled materials in dashmats and other products
• Products for Cascade for the Home division

Awards & Recognition

• MEGA tax credit
• Act 328 Property Tax Abatement
• YWCA's TRIBUTE! Award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• People
• Planet
• Profit

Environmental Achievements

• Spent $0 on landfill costs for the last two years.
• Increased PCR/PIR usage to 18.1 million pounds.
• Introduced the first plastic injection molded solar racking solution, minimizing material usage and improving recyclability.
• Offset 10,000 tonnes of carbon annually through Triple Quest Carbon Offset Initiatives.

Social Achievements

• Celebrated 40th anniversary.
• Maintained high employee retention rate (97.1%).
• Contributed $203.1 thousand to the community.
• Launched Pink Cart Program, expanding to nearly 30 states and creating an online community for breast cancer awareness.

Governance Achievements

• Certified B Corporation since 2009.
• Implemented Cascade Enterprise System (CES) for company-wide growth and waste reduction, resulting in a 95% reduction in scrap for Cascade Cart Solutions.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Slow product launch of a major platform at CK Technologies.
• Lower than expected product requirements in the commercial truck industry.
• Navigating the solar market channel for the new solar racking system.

Mitigation Strategies

• Attracted new customers at CK Technologies to diversify customer base.
• Collaborated with Patriot Solar Group and the Department of Energy to develop and market the solar racking system.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: B Corp

Certifications: Certified B Corporation

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Plastic injection molded solar racking system
• Recyclable dash silencers