Company announces progress in business
integration, product resiliency and community impact
SYDNEY & CHICAGO, Aug. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX;
NYSE: JHX), ("James Hardie" or the "Company"), the North American
leader in fiber cement exterior design solutions and a company
inspiring how communities design, build and grow, today released
its latest annual sustainability report detailing progress across
the four primary pillars of the company's environmental, social and
governance (ESG) strategy: Zero Harm, Planet, Innovation and
Communities.
"Sustainability is foundational at James Hardie. It is central
to how we do business," said Jill
Kolling, Chief Sustainability Officer with James Hardie. "We
have ambitious goals, and our progress has been possible through
collaboration and innovation across the value chain, as together we
aim to put sustainability into action, doing right by our planet,
our people and the communities we serve."
The report, entitled "Building a Culture of Sustainability,"
features employee-driven initiatives, key industry collaborations
and innovations to advance the company's purpose of Building a
Better Future for All™. The report includes the following
highlights from fiscal year 2024:
Integration into Business Processes
- Sustainability strategies were integrated into the Hardie™
Manufacturing Operating System (HMOS) with an intent to prioritize
the sustainability impact of plant operations while delivering
against future targets.
- Internal, near-term regional targets were established to drive
local accountability and progress toward James Hardie's global
environmental goals.
Zero Harm
- Significant global investment was made in safety infrastructure
projects including upgrading equipment used when working from
heights, installing more than 1,200 machine guards to provide
additional protection for employees and promoting risk
awareness.
Product Innovation
- In Europe, Hardie®
Panel high-performance facade cladding achieved the lowest CO₂
emissions of A2 fire-rated facades.
- In the United States, Green
Builder Media recognized James Hardie as a green
innovation and brand leader, naming Hardie® Artisan Lap
Siding as a 2024 Sustainable Product of the Year for its lower
carbon footprint than traditional heavyweight building products,
durability and resilience to harsh weather and natural
disasters.
Diversity in Management
- The number of women in management increased from 19 percent in
fiscal year 2023 to 23 percent in fiscal year 2024 toward the
fiscal year 2026 goal of 25 percent.
Human Rights
- Completed risk mapping of global in-scope tier one suppliers
through a modern slavery lens and internationally recognized
responsible business frameworks, an important next step to expand
the responsible sourcing program.
Stronger Communities
- Contributed $1.66 billion in
economic value in the communities in which it operates through
capital expenditures at plants and by investing in employees, local
ecosystems and across the supplier base.
- Launched a corporate sponsorship of the Habitat Strong
initiative to build affordable and climate-resilient homes that can
withstand severe weather conditions and natural disasters.
"Every product in and around the home has an impact, and our
company strives to lead the building products industry to ensure
all homes are future ready," said Aaron
Erter, Chief Executive Officer with James
Hardie. "Sustainability is a never-ending journey for James
Hardie, and we will continue to actively integrate our goals into
business operations, our governance structure and company
culture."
Building a Culture of Sustainability
James Hardie's sustainability goals align directly with issues
that matter most to its stakeholders and overall corporate
objectives. The company's sustainability strategy is driven through
collaboration, including research and development, engineering,
manufacturing, finance and human resources.
"Ensuring that our sustainability efforts are part of HMOS
reinforces to our workforce that this is how we intend to operate
our plants and deliver against our targets moving forward," said
Ryan Kilcullen, Executive Vice
President Global Operations with James Hardie. "HMOS encompasses
our culture of continuous improvement and LEAN manufacturing and
empowers our people to champion improvements to environmental
performance."
Beautiful Products, Exceptional Durability and
Resilience
James Hardie is firm in its commitment to develop beautiful
products with exceptional durability and resilience to extreme
weather as the frequency of climate-driven events increases. In
fiscal year 2024, James Hardie fiber cement products were selected
by three leading home builders from across the U.S. to
highlight carbon neutral construction and show that the average
family can afford a sustainable home. The projects, which were
featured at the NAHB International Builders' Show® in
February 2024, demonstrate that each
element of a sustainable home can have an impactful role in
aspiring toward a low carbon future.
Hardie® durable products are non-combustible, pest
resistant and U.S. flood-zone rated. They require less maintenance
and last longer, and in turn use fewer resources in the long run,
build value for homeowners and meet demand for high-quality
products.
For more information about James Hardie Building Products Inc.,
visit www.jameshardie.com.
About James Hardie Building Products
Inc.
James Hardie is the North American leader in fiber cement
exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting
beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and
low maintenance. As the #1 producer of high-performance fiber
cement building solutions in the United
States, James Hardie offers siding and accessories for every
style. Hardie® products are non-combustible and stand up to weather
and time while empowering homeowners and building professionals to
achieve the home of their dreams. James Hardie operates with an
inclusive company culture and an unwavering commitment to Zero
Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,700
employees in North America.
For more information and media resources, visit
JamesHardie.com and JamesHardie.com/about-us/media
resources./about-us/media-resources.
For investor information, please visit
ir.jameshardie.com.au.
For sustainability information and to view the full report,
please visit
JamesHardie.com/all-about-james-hardie/sustainability-esg-initiatives/.
Connect with James Hardie on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Forward-Looking Statements
This Media Release contains forward-looking statements and
information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties
and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of James Hardie to be materially
different from those expressed or implied in this release,
including, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in
Section 3 "Risk Factors" in James Hardie's Annual Report on Form
20-F for the fiscal year ended 31 March
2024; changes in general economic, political, governmental
and business conditions globally and in the countries in which
James Hardie does business; changes in interest rates; changes in
inflation rates; changes in exchange rates; the level of
construction generally; changes in cement demand and prices;
changes in raw material and energy prices; changes in business
strategy and various other factors. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those described herein. James Hardie assumes no obligation to
update or correct the information contained in this Media Release
except as required by law.
This media release has been authorized by the James Hardie Board
of Directors.
Investor and Media Contact
Joe Ahlersmeyer, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
Telephone: +1 773-970-1213
Email: investors@jameshardie.com
James Hardie Industries plc is a limited liability company
incorporated in Ireland with its
registered office at 1st Floor, Block A, One Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2, D02 FD79, Ireland.
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