The world is facing an increasing number of challenges that can seem daunting, but at Kohler they serve as motivation to innovate solutions and accelerate action.
Innovation is part of Kohler's DNA, and our internal incubator, Innovation for Good , is a testament to the passion of our associates to identify products and services related to safe water, safe sanitation, and reliable power globally. In the past four years, 81 teams of Kohler associates have competed for Innovation for Good funding through the I-Prize, with 14 innovative ideas winning funds. In 2021 three of the ideas that received funding in the 2020 I-Prize were incubated, and two were high potential for transitioning into Kohler's new-product development process. The Innovation for Good team commenced product development on two new products that serve social purposes that address sanitation and hygiene, and they are finishing development on the second KOHLER WasteLAB tile collection, Abstra , which will hit the market in 2022. We reinforced our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while building diverse teams that reflect our customers and communities around the world. Each day, we work to foster a safe and welcoming environment where hate and discrimination have no place. In 2021 our Business Resource Groups continued to play vital roles in helping Kohler deliver on its DEI promises. Building on our long-term strategy to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive society, we have expanded our community partnerships through a new multiyear initiative to support students at each stage of their development-K-12, post- secondary, and transition to workforce. This year has also demonstrated the importance of collaborating with others to identify and achieve our goals. Our work with DigDeep, a U.S. human rights nonprofit organization serving the 2.2 million+ Americans without sinks, baths, or toilets; and Water First, a nonprofit organization working with Indigenous youth in Canada, are two examples where we have supported solutions that come from the community for the community. As we continue innovating solutions and accelerating action in 2022, we remain inspired by seeing our associates in action and the communities where we operate prepare for and meet whatever challenges face us next. Sincerely, Laura E. Kohler Senior Vice President-Human Resources, Stewardship, & Sustainability Working within our long-standing Believing In Better framework, 2021 was a year where we significantly expanded our efforts across environmental and social issues, and this report serves as our continued commitment to transparency and accountability on this work. At the heart of our efforts are our associates who have worked tirelessly to advance our environmental initiatives and support communities across the globe. Our teams in the Middle East and North Africa volunteered their time to run blood drives and education programs, and our Asia Pacific team supported more than 55 school, environmental, and community development projects across the region. Our U.S. team helped nearly 58,000 people in local communities served by United Way. We believe that when our associates are empowered to find purpose in their work-whether that is through in-house sustainability efforts, community engagement, or developing new products for underserved individuals-they truly improve the world.
28,400
lives have been impacted globally by associate-driven I-Prize products since the competition launched in 2019.
I N T R O D U C T I O N B E T T E R P L A N E T B E T T E R C O M M U N I T I E S B E T T E R L I V E S T R A N S P A R E N C Y A P P E N D I X
CEO Perspective About Kohler Co. Believing In Better SVP-HR, Stewardship, & Sustainability Perspective
8
Previous Page