Stormtech (PPAI 260245, Platinum) has completed a Climate Smart Training and Certification program. The Vancouver-based supplier participated in the program as a means to reduce its carbon footprint going forward.
- Stormtech was ranked as the No. 34 supplier in the inaugural PPAI 100.
- The Climate Smart Certification is facilitated by BMO Radicle Inc., a bank that offers resources beyond traditional financial guidance.
“By prioritizing sustainable sourcing, incorporating environmentally friendly materials and packaging and optimizing distribution channels, we’ve been able to reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining product performance and quality,” says Georgeta Navodarszky, vice president of supply chain at Stormtech.
- In May of 2023, Stormtech hired Shane Brett as the company’s new chief operating officer.
- The following July, the supplier announced a strategic partnership with distributor Hit Promotional Products.
Benefits Of A Climate Smart Certification
The Climate Smart Certification program that Stormtech participated in is meant to help companies create a long-term framework to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while also decreasing business costs. The program provides software, training and adviser support on the journey toward a net zero carbon footprint goal.
Initiatives within the program include:
- Climate Smart Academy – A foundational training program gives staff an understanding of why and how carbon emissions can be reduced through changing practices.
- Calculating carbon footprint – As a starting point, the program maps and measures a company’s carbon footprint and sorts emissions by location, type of activity, employee and revenue.
- Decarbonization Roadmap – One-on-one sessions with climate advisors helps companies tailor a comprehensive decarbonization plan that fits the organization’s values and goals.
Stormtech states that its commitment to sustainability has “improved employee engagement and morale.” It also claims that achieving the certification and using data-driven decisions to reduce carbon has opened up new market opportunities by allowing the supplier to connect and form partnerships with “like-minded organizations.”
Promo’s Sustainability Journey Pushes Forward
Stormtech’s route toward sustainable operations is only one option in a push that many forward-thinking companies in the industry are making a priority.
- Last month, the SEC introduced rules requiring companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions. The regulations are currently facing several legal challenges but point towards the increased adoption of sustainability as a central part of doing business.
PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, Elizabeth Wimbush, says that the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in August 2022, presents a unique opportunity for promotional products companies to access financial support for their sustainability efforts.
“By leveraging the IRA’s incentives, businesses can position themselves as leaders in sustainability while receiving some great tax benefits,” Wimbush says. “Embracing sustainability isn’t just a moral imperative – it’s also a smart business decision.”
