The Goodyear Blimps and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will conduct their eighth joint maneuver next month benefiting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at the company’s airship base in Ohio. The event will provide the public with an opportunity to donate to Toys for Tots while enjoying an up close and personal view of the newest and third airship, Wingfoot Three, inside the hangar in Suffield, Ohio.
Stakeholders Launch Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber
Development of the platform was initiated by the CEOs of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) in November 2017 and has since been led by a Working Group of TIP member companies. TIP members continue to work to ensure the sustainable production and supply of natural rubber, and in joining the platform they commit to be able to demonstrate the integration of principles for sustainable natural rubber into their purchasing and/or operational activities. The GPSNR is open to applications for membership from other natural rubber stakeholders.
Speaking at the launch Peter Bakker, President and CEO of WBCSD said “The tire industry consumes around 70 percent of natural rubber and demand is growing. This throws into sharp relief the social, economic and environmental opportunities associated with this important commodity. The GPSNR will consider the people, communities and natural resources touched by natural rubber production and supply – they all stand to benefit from the creation and adoption of sustainable and responsible practices.”
The ceremonial launch included the signing of a GPSNR Member Statement by the 11 members of TIP, and Ford Motor Company, Halcyon Agri Corporation Limited, ITOCHU Corporation, Kirana Megatara, SIPEF, The Socfin Group, and Southland Global PTE Ltd.
Bakker praised the efforts of founding and prospective GPSNR members in bringing the platform to launch, adding “This spirit of collaboration will define the actions of the platform going forward – there is strength in diversity, and the various interests and expertise within the GPSNR can deliver a truly sustainable natural rubber supply chain.”
The WBCSD’s TIP spearheaded development of the GPSNR and will financially support the platform during start-up and its first two years of operation – a level of support necessary to ensure basic operations while a paying membership base is established. Despite industry backing the GPSNR will maintain its independence, underlined Anne-Cécile Remont, Director WBCSD TIP– “Once officially launched, the platform will be independently managed, with governance and decision making overseen by a representative group of stakeholders.”
Building upon past work, in developing the platform, a review of comparable supply chain sustainability initiatives, including natural rubber, revealed that meaningful change was best achieved through the mainstreaming of good practices and this was central to discussions around the GPSNR’s governance structure, explained Remont. “Successful mainstreaming requires actionable commitment from the entire supply chain. Best results are found where the various contributions of stakeholder groups are relative to their ownership of supply chain opportunities, their relevant expertise and their capacity to implement meaningful change,” she said.
To be headquartered in Singapore, a dedicated GPSNR secretariat will kick-off operations in March 2019 with an inaugural GPSNR General Assembly.
About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
WBCSD is a global, CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. We help make our member companies more successful and sustainable by focusing on the maximum positive impact for shareholders, the environment and societies.
Our member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies, representing a combined revenue of more than USD $8.5 trillion and 19 million employees. Our global network of almost 70 national business councils gives our members unparalleled reach across the globe. WBCSD is uniquely positioned to work with member companies along and across value chains to deliver impactful business solutions to the most challenging sustainability issues.
Together, we are the leading voice of business for sustainability: united by our vision of a world where more than 9 billion people are all living well and within the boundaries of our planet, by 2050. http://www.wbcsd.org
For more information, please contact:
Gavin Whitmore
whitmore@wbcsd.org
Mobile: +41 79 880 57 29
Bridgestone Becomes Worldwide Paralympic Partner
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Bridgestone Corporation have announced that the world’s largest tire and rubber manufacturer has become the organization’s seventh Worldwide Paralympic Partner.
Already a Worldwide Olympic Partner through to 2024, Bridgestone now has global rights to promote and support the Paralympic Movement over the same period.
Sustainable Natural Rubber Production in Latin America
For the past 5 years the concept of Sustainable Natural rubber has gained some attention in Latin America.
Guatemala was the first country on the region to pioneer on that subject having developed several projects ranging from FSC ® (Forest Stewardship Council) certifications up to Carbon Credit emissions.
Colombia for its turn, have created recently a Carbon Taxation system that was the genesis for a national carbon credit market with great potential as a tool to promote low-carbon opportunities in the agricultural sector, being Natural Rubber an excellent choice.
In Brazil, sustainable natural rubber production has gained momentum, specially since 2016, when Pirelli…
Titan International Makes Pink Farm Tires for Ride to a Cure Event
In honor of breast cancer awareness month, tire manufacturer Titan International (maker of Goodyear Farm Tires) will host the 4th Ride to a Cure event this Saturday at Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa
The free, family-friendly event is open to the public with 100% of proceeds going to John Stoddard Cancer Center in central Iowa.
Titan will host a hayrack ride, pumpkin painting and a car show. The Iowa Speedway Official Pace Car will also be on site.
Bridgestone tops 2018 global social media ranking
Bridgestone has taken pole position in the 2018 Tyres & Accessories global social media ranking. The world’s largest tyre manufacturer’s @Bridgestone handle rose an impressive seven places to take first place from last year’s winner Michelin. Both @Bridgestone’s Klear and RightRelevance scores were of the highest order, with just three points separating them, resulting in a very high average of 87.7, which was ultimately three points clear of second place.
Nexen Tire Launches ‘American Muscle For American Heroes’ Program
Nexen Tire America has announced “American Muscle for American Heroes” – an all-new program designed to honor a well-deserving veteran who has been wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Nexen Tire partnered with the highly respected Purple Heart Foundation to help select a Purple Heart recipient to receive an iconic American muscle car – a custom Nexen Tire Purple Heart Dodge Challenger.
Giti Tire Co-Sponsors Campaign to Recognize Women in Trucking
Giti Tire (USA) joined other trucking industry leaders and celebrities this month in sponsoring Mediaplanet’s “Empowering Our Female Truck Drivers” campaign to recognize the hard work and commitment of professional female truck drivers.
The month-long campaign, which kicked off on in conjunction with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 9-15), involves a print ad campaign in USA Today (in the Houston, Dallas, Nashville, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City markets) with an estimated readership of 750,000. A comprehensive social media campaign is also delivering this important story across the nation.
Main campaign topics are centered …
Pirelli Joins United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund
Pirelli has become the first tire company to join the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund, pledging a contribution of $600,000 (2018-’19) to help the fund in its efforts to make a significant impact in global road safety. At the same time, Filippo Bettini, the company’s chief sustainability and risk governance officer, was nominated to have a seat on the fund’s advisory board.
Continental named one of Forbes’ ‘Best Employers for Women’
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—Continental was recognized one of the best employers for women by Forbes magazine, one of seven automotive companies on the list.