Our Journey to Better
By David Kohler | President & CEO, Kohler Co.
As featured in Kohler's 2020 Believing in Better Metrics Report
When we look back on the year 2020, not only are we going to remember it for the extraordinary events that took place, but also because it was a pivotal turning point for corporate action. In the face of the global pandemic and subsequent economic implications, social unrest, and mounting evidence of the impact of climate change on our lives and livelihoods, companies rose to the challenge like never before to meet the needs of employees, customers, and communities.
In Kohler’s nearly 150-year history, we have never shied away from addressing challenges head-on and 2020 was no exception. When COVID-19 hit, we took immediate action to protect the health and well-being of our associates, pivoted our manufacturing to produce personal protective equipment (PPE), and mobilized resources to support communities as they grappled with the real and uncertain impacts of the pandemic. All the while, we continued to prioritize progress against our environmental sustainability targets, sourced and funded ideas from our associates to solve for global challenges through our internal incubator Innovation for Good®, and signed on as a founding member of the 50L Home alongside P&G, Electrolux, and others to drive innovation around water efficiency.
Kohler’s approach to being a responsible company is guided by the notion that we can always do better. That’s why, despite the challenges we faced in 2020, we came together as a team to determine how we can leverage what we learned this year to do even more for our planet and the people we touch. Everything from our own footprint to the products we manufacture and the services we offer is being evaluated to ensure we can have a positive impact on the world in which we live and operate. We recognize that we don’t have all the answers, but we do know that we have the commitment to try to find solutions and the passion to act on issues where we can make the most impact.
Looking forward, we know it won’t be easy to tackle the challenges facing the world today and tomorrow, but we are excited to try. We will lean into the innovation that can be born from disruption, and we remain vigilant in applying our knowledge, resources, and energy to leave the world a better place.
Read more in Kohler's 2020 Believing in Better Metrics Report
