Friday, 22 March 2013 16:30
General
 HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo.--ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), a leading international design, consulting, engineering and management services company announced today that it has become a global sponsor of Water For People, increasing its previous annual donation fourfold to a total of $100,000. Water For People’s mission is to help people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education programs.
“The partnership with ARCADIS is critical to helping us provide access to clean water and sanitation for everyone where we work and ensuring that this coverage lasts forever. We are grateful for our supporters who are part of the movement to eradicate water poverty”
ARCADIS has supported Water For People for many years as a regional sponsor, but its increased role as a global sponsor will allow the organization to increase their contributions helping some of the 1.8 billion people who lack access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion who lack adequate sanitation facilities.
“Furthering our alliance with Water For People helps them bring safe drinking water and sanitation to areas in need, a cause in which ARCADIS truly believes,” said Steve Blake, CEO of ARCADIS U.S. “This would be important enough if it were just for the benefits of public health, but in many developing nations, this can also change the fundamental economic realities of their society. In some areas of the world people walk for miles carrying up to 40 pounds of water sacrificing time that could be spent on education and employment. At ARCADIS, we recognize that it we must take an active role in valuable programs like Water For People that preserve our natural resources for future generations.”
“The partnership with ARCADIS is critical to helping us provide access to clean water and sanitation for everyone where we work and ensuring that this coverage lasts forever. We are grateful for our supporters who are part of the movement to eradicate water poverty,” said Jodi Lundin, Development Executive, Water For People.
In addition to Water For People, ARCADIS has a partnership with UH-HABITAT through its Shelter program where the company sends its talented staff on missions providing knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world.
For more information, please contact Debra Havins of ARCADIS at 303-471-3485 or
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About ARCADIS:
ARCADIS is a leading international company providing consultancy, design, engineering and management services in infrastructure, water, environment and buildings. We enhance mobility, sustainability and quality of life by creating balance in the built and natural environments. ARCADIS develops, designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for companies and governments. With 22,000 employees and more than $3.3 billion in revenues, the company has an extensive international network supported by strong local market positions. ARCADIS supports UN-HABITAT with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. Visit us at: www.arcadis-us.com.
About Water For People:
Water For People is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to improved water and sanitation systems and services in developing countries. By working with local governments, the private sector, and partners, Water For People ensures that Everyone in a specific region has these basic needs met forever. This innovative approach reaches every family, every school, and every clinic, catalyzing transformative change for better health and economic development to occur. Learn more at www.waterforpeople.org. Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
 AUSTIN, Texas--Geostellar today announced the launch at SXSW of a first-of-its-kind online Sustainable Energy Network that helps homeowners slash costs, save money, and fight climate change by reducing carbon pollution – all through the use of advanced home energy simulations, expert guidance and a broad array of solar installation, equipment and financing options. The intuitive social platform connects homeowners together to share expertise and encouragement and to promote the successful deployment of solar energy and energy efficient technologies.
“Every neighborhood has a solar enthusiast. Geostellar gives that person a way to encourage their neighbors to deal with ever-rising electric bills by switching to solar”
With increasing public concern about the impacts of climate change and rising utility bills nationwide, Geostellar’s network meets a significant and growing challenge for American homeowners. Every home has a unique combination of energy demands, solar potential, utility rates and incentives. Geostellar’s advanced simulation provides an instant, free and independent analysis of each and every home’s potential to take advantage of programs to reduce costs and carbon pollution.
“For many homes, the cleanest source of energy is now also the cheapest,’” said David Levine, founder and CEO of Geostellar. “By reducing costs and removing barriers to entry, Geostellar makes solar energy and energy efficient technologies more competitive across the U.S.”
“Every neighborhood has a solar enthusiast. Geostellar gives that person a way to encourage their neighbors to deal with ever-rising electric bills by switching to solar,” said Jigar Shah, founder of SunEdison and an advisor to Geostellar. “After years of confusion and obscurity around home energy opportunities, Geostellar’s Sustainable Energy Network makes those choices simple, transparent, and accessible.”
Geostellar will launch the Sustainable Energy Network with events throughout the week, kicking off at a POST-PUNK, POST-CARBON party co-hosted with SXSW Eco on Saturday, March 9 at 6pm at the Blackheart Bar in Austin, Texas. The party will feature KCRW Los Angeles DJ Jason Bentley and Senator Flux, the DC Post Punk band fronted by Geostellar CEO David Levine and seen on MTV in the late 80s.
Note to Press: To RSVP for a special press briefing taking place at 5:40pm on Saturday, March 9, before Geostellar’s launch party, or to speak to Geostellar CEO David Levine in advance of SXSW, please email
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About Geostellar
Geostellar is a sustainable energy network taking the fight against climate change and high utility bills nationwide. Through advanced simulations on an intuitive social platform, Geostellar helps homeowners take control of their energy use by deploying solar energy and energy efficiency solutions that cut costs, increase savings, and reduce carbon pollution. Geostellar is the recipient of numerous awards, including selection as an IHS Energy Innovation Pioneer, the Global Cleantech 100, the Global Cleantech Cluster Association’s Best of Solar and the AlwaysOn GoingGreen Global 200.
Learn more at www.geostellar.com.
Friday, 08 February 2013 21:27
General
 KUSHALNAGAR, India--In a key partnership milestone between Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) and Tata Coffee Limited, the two companies today inaugurated a roasting and packaging plant in Kushalnagar in Coorg, Karnataka. This world-class facility enables roasting and packaging of green coffee beans for Starbucks stores in India and over time in select markets around the globe.
“The inauguration of the roasting plant in India represents a significant milestone for Starbucks and Tata Coffee. Through our partnership we will leverage the deep coffee heritage and expertise of both companies to procure, roast and distribute the finest-quality arabica coffees, elevating the story of India coffee to our customers,” said John Culver, president, Starbucks Coffee China and Asia Pacific. “This deepens our sourcing relationship with India’s coffee farmers and further demonstrates our long-term commitment to sourcing high-quality arabica coffee. Great coffee starts with finding the finest beans and roasting them to perfection. Together with Tata we are delivering a great tasting, high-quality, and locally sourced espresso to our customers throughout India.”
Commenting on the inauguration, Hameed Huq, Managing Director, Tata Coffee, said, “We are delighted to partner with Starbucks and operationalize this important roasting facility. The plant leverages our combined strengths and passion for sharing the finest-quality coffees with customers. This momentous occasion signifies a milestone development in our relationship with Starbucks as we roast and package our locally sourced Espresso Roast and prepare to export roasted and packaged coffees to select markets.”
This facility, spread across 8,258 sq. ft. with an installed capacity of 375 metric tonnes (MT), has been readied for commercial run. In addition to the state-of-the-art roaster, the plant also has a PLC-operated green coffee handling system for effective control of recipe, and automatic filling and automatic sealing line boosted with high-precision testing equipment to comply with the quality standards of the companies. The operations are well supported by an efficient utilities section and sophisticated equipment, and boasts of the best-in-class safety systems. The plant has three major sections – a Green Coffee Storage and Handling section, a Roasting section, and a Packing and Dispatch section. These three sections combined produce the finest-quality coffee beans; consistent with the high quality Starbucks and Tata are known for around the globe.
Starbucks and Tata Coffee are committed to developing and improving the profile of Indian-grown arabica coffees around the world by elevating the stature of Indian coffee, as well as improving the quality of coffee through sustainable practices. As a first step toward this, the companies have developed the Indian Espresso Roast, which is a hallmark feature of Starbucks stores in India and highlights the quality of locally sourced coffee.
Starbucks and Tata share a commitment to community. To this end, Starbucks and Tata Global Beverages will work with Tata Coffee to invest in coffee-growing communities with a specific focus on agronomy, sustainable farming practices and a partnership to extend the Swastha Project’s Community Based Rehabilitation Programme to cover differently abled children in Kodagu, Karnataka. Working together the companies will focus on initiatives including but not limited to, the promotion of responsible agronomy practices and the provision of training local farmers, technicians and agronomists to improve their coffee-growing and milling skills, along with exploring social projects, which could positively impact the communities in the coffee-growing regions where they do business.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest-quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with more than 18,000 stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.
About Tata Coffee
Tata Coffee is a subsidiary of Tata Global Beverages. It is Asia’s largest coffee plantation company and the 3rd largest exporter of instant coffee in the country. The Company produces more than 10,000 MT of shade-grown Arabica and Robusta coffees at its 19 estates in South India and its two Instant Coffee manufacturing facilities have a combined installed capacity of 6000 MT. It exports green coffee to countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America. Tata Coffee’s farms are triple certified: Utz, Rainforest Alliance and SA8000 reinforcing its commitment to the people and the environment.
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Friday, 01 February 2013 14:22
IGBC
Montreal, Quebec, January 28, 2013 -- The Institute for Green Business Certification (IGBC) President, Garry H. Peterson, announced today that the company’s Canadian representatives, Dale Bonke and Philippa Settels have launched a new website for their Canadian division at www.gbcertified.ca. In early 2012, these two representatives joined forces to develop a partnership with the Institute for Green Business Certification. By taking on the Canadian branch, they have developed standards and criteria more specifically suited for Canadian businesses and organizations within their marketplace.
The Institute for Green Business Certification (IGBC) – with offices around the world – is the first international organization of its kind to certify businesses’ environmental practices. It uses a comprehensive Green Audit that is becoming a model for what it means to be a “green business”. The Green Audit evaluates a business in 10 categories including: waste reduction, recycling, reduction in office material usage and purchasing, energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, reduction in chemical usage, proper handling of pollutants, and reduced emissions. IGBC’s certification process has been used by small, medium and large companies alike.
IGBC’s mission is to help promote and increase public awareness in environmentally sound business practices by recognizing those companies who are leading the way with “green” business models and setting the example for a greener Canadian community.
IGBC Canada does not offer or sell products or training courses, and does not charge for its literature. It provides consulting to businesses and organizations regarding environmental management and sustainability. IGBC is accredited with the Better Business Bureau. For more information, please visit: www.gbcertified.ca
Wednesday, 23 January 2013 19:40
Chase
EL DORADO, Kan. Jan. 15 -Operation Photo Rescue (OPR), a U.S. not-for-profit organization comprised of a worldwide network of volunteers will be in New York City on February 2nd and 3rd to digitally copy photos for anyone whose pictures were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Hosted by the School of Visual Arts Masters in Digital Photography program and supported by Chase, PhotoShelter, DigMyPics, Imagingetc, and Ken Allen Studios, the OPR team will be onsite at 133 West 21st St, Room 101c in Manhattan on Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3, 2013, 10am-5pm on both days. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments are available via http://goo.gl/Bjrym.
Anyone with photos damaged from Hurricane Sandy may bring up to 20 photos to be evaluated and potentially restored. Photos that can be repaired will be digitally captured with state-of-the-art imaging technology and later restored and printed. Restored photos will be mailed to owners at no cost. The original photo remains with the owner.
All photos need to be dry and removed from picture frames and albums. Those that cannot be extracted will still be copied, but the quality may suffer. Photos that are stuck together can be separated by soaking, but should first be tested on a corner to see if the emulsion is stable enough to soak. Further instructions on care can be found on Operation Photo Rescue’s homepage: www.operationphotorescue.org.
Following family and pets, photos are the next most cherished possession, as the memories captured in photos are all that remain after a natural disaster. Chase, through its Technology for Social Good program, is supplying the imaging stations, software and volunteers to help make the photos available electronically. The School of Visual Arts is also providing imaging technology in addition to volunteers and the space. DigMyPics will donate all of the printing and shipping of restored photos; PhotoShelter will provide free online storage of the damaged as well as restored photos; and Imagingetc and Ken Allen Studios will both provide volunteer staff who are experienced in handling and digitizing delicate photographs in addition to equipment.
Operation Photo Rescue (OPR) is a federally registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity that restores photographs that have been damaged by natural disasters. OPR was founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in January 2006 by two photojournalists, Dave Ellis and Becky Sell. Since then, the organization has grown into a network of over 2,000 volunteers from across the globe. Volunteers from all 50 U.S. states and 76 other countries have returned over 9,000 restored photos to survivors of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires. More information is available at http://www.operationphotorescue.org.
School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City is an established leader and innovator in the education of artists. From its inception in 1947, the faculty has been comprised of professionals working in the arts and art-related fields. SVA provides an environment that nurtures creativity, inventiveness and experimentation, enabling students to develop a strong sense of identity and a clear direction of purpose.
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves more than 50 million consumers and 4 million small businesses through more than 5,500 bank branches, 17,500 ATMs, credit cards, mortgage offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through relationships with auto dealerships. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com and @ChaseNews.
PORTLAND, Jan. 17 - Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:UMPQ), set new marks for community engagement, with 2,175 of the company’s associates volunteering 46,730 hours to 1,757 organizations across four states. Just one year after setting a new industry standard with 90% participation and more than 45,000 hours of service, 93% of Umpqua Bank associates in Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada actively volunteered in 2012.
“At Umpqua, we believe we have an obligation to give back, and that being a good corporate citizen begins with making it possible for our associates to serve our communities actively,” said Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank. “Our Connect Volunteer Network is a benefit Umpqua associates across all divisions and levels value, and their generosity and passion is an inspiration.”
When compared to national averages for employer-supported service activities, Umpqua Bank’s participation almost triples the highest ranges, as compared to 2011/2 figures from the Carroll School of Management Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College.
Umpqua Bank attributes the success of the Connect program to three primary areas of focus:
- Culture Fit – Volunteer programs should be a natural extension of a company’s culture, reinforcing the organization’s strengths and points of differentiation. Establishing a volunteer program as a core value is key to making it a priority for employees.
- Executive Ambassadors – Successful volunteer programs have strong executive support, with executives actively setting an example by participating themselves. This top-down approach has proven successful in launching and retaining corporate volunteer programs.
- Easy to Use – Creating a program that is embedded into a company’s operations, allows for easy participation and shows the impact for the effort is critical to achieving high employee involvement.
Umpqua’s Connect Volunteer Network™
Established in 2004, Umpqua Bank’s Connect program has become a nationally-leading volunteer program that provides associates with paid time-off each year—40 hours for full-time and 20 hours for part-time—to serve at youth-focused organizations, schools and community development programs.
Through the Connect Volunteer Network™, Umpqua associates are given the opportunity to choose the organization where they would like to be involved. Associates participate in a variety of activities such as spending time in schools, engaging in mentoring projects or dedicating their time to local food banks. Umpqua associates continually rank the Connect program as one of the bank’s most-valued employee benefits and nearly one-third of its participants say the program was their initial introduction to volunteerism.
Connect has been cited as a key factor in Umpqua’s inclusion on FORTUNE Magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” the past seven years.
In 2012, Umpqua associates served a wide variety of organizations and schools across the company’s footprint, including Junior Achievement, Dress for Success, Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warrior Project.
About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation with locations between San Francisco and Seattle, along the Oregon and Northern California Coast, and in Central Oregon and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past seven years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal, for the eighth consecutive year, Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon, and the state’s fifth-most admired company overall for 2012.
Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments, Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua’s Wealth Management Division serves high net worth individuals and nonprofits by providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit http://www.umpquabank.com.
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