Sponsors for one or more years of the Challenge are profiled below.
CIRBA SOLUTIONS
For 30 years, we have led the battery recycling industry through our services, processing and material upgrading. Today, as the most knowledgeable and diverse battery management and materials company we are seeing the growth of the electrification age. Servicing over 7,000 customers to date and having recycled hundreds of millions of pounds over the course of our history we are leading the battery lifecycle legacy.
Contributing to the circular economy model is our core focus. The pursuit of economic prosperity and quality of life for a growing global population can only be achieved through the sustainable and mindful use of natural resources. By recirculating reclaimed materials back into the manufacturing marketplace, we reduce the need for newly mined materials, lessening the strain on the earth.
Website:
GREENLINK ENGINEERING
GREENLINK Engineering was established to discover innovative solutions to high performance, sustainable construction materials. GREENLINK has pioneered a range of successful products including, for example:
- Improved rooftop support systems that contribute to longer lasting roofs and more efficient and sustainable construction.
- Filter gaskets that improve the performance and economics of controlled environments.
- Seals which prevent cleanroom contamination resulting from mechanical penetrations.
GREENLINK is an idea company dedicated to the continuing development and manufacture of stronger, safe and more durable architectural products. Company employees are driven by their commitment to each other and by teamwork, the force that allows common people to produce uncommon achievements. GREENLINK is based in Kalamazoo.
Website:
GREIF
Greif (rhymes with life) is a publicly traded manufacturing company that provides packaging solutions for life’s essentials. We have a global footprint of 200-plus locations on 5 continents. Our manufactured products include fiber, steel, and plastic drums, industrial IBCs, small plastic containers, timber, 100% recycled fiber products, and more. Our services include fiber recycling, industrial packaging collection and reconditioning services, container filling services, land management, and more. Our vision is to be the best performing customer service company in the world. We are considered both internally and externally as a leading sustainability player in the global economy and plan to continue this path forward.
Find our most recent sustainability report on our website at .
HAWORTH
As a leading global furniture maker, we are steeped in workplace expertise that fuels innovative designs for optimal performance. With a heritage in the workplace, Haworth is the founding brand of the Haworth Group. The Haworth Group designs at the intersection of people and environments and includes the world’s greatest brands and iconic products. Through our breadth of these culturally diverse brands, Haworth delivers variety and choice for the commercial work environment—from core office elements to ancillary spaces, hospitality, higher education, and healthcare.
At Haworth, sustainability is a company-wide commitment integrated into our global business strategy. We think beyond our business with a collective purpose to make the world better. As we strive to be a sustainable corporation, it involves the commitment by all our members, suppliers, and partners. Haworth is empowering and engaging them in practices and processes that positively impact our global communities, economy, and environment. We’re eager to continue this journey and our value cycle serves as a framework to guide our actions.
Learn more about our journey through our annual CSR Report.
INVENERGY
Invenergy is accelerating cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, build, own, and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation, transmission and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Invenergy's home office is located in Chicago, and it has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Poland, and Scotland
Invenergy and its affiliated companies have successfully developed more than 31,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including wind, solar, transmission infrastructure and natural gas power generation and advanced energy storage projects.
Learn about Invenergy at
KALSEC
Kalsec products, derived from natural herbs, spices, vegetables, and hops, are translated into easy-to-use liquid extracts ideal for most formulations to meet challenges faced by food and beverage manufacturers throughout the industry and around the world. At Kalsec’s location near Denver City Texas, it specializes in the cultivation, harvesting, dehydration and extraction of paprika, rosemary and carrot, as well as specialty herbs and spices. Kalsec also processes a line of solvent-free extracts that are ideal for supporting their green and sustainability platform.
Kalsec is registered B-Corp, a rigorous certification that must be renewed periodically, that attests to the company’s sustainable performance in its relationship with all stakeholders.
Kalsec is based in Kalamazoo and has operations in several international locations.
Website:
Landscape Forms
Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated collections of high-design site furniture, structures, advanced LED lighting, and custom solutions. Since its founding in 1969 Landscape Forms has earned a reputation for excellent design, high quality products and exceptional service.
Headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the family of brands includes Loll Designs located in Duluth, Minnesota; Summit Furniture in Monterey, California; and Kornegay Design in Phoenix, Arizona. Landscape Forms collaborates with renowned industrial designers and consultancies, landscape architects, and architects to design and develop products that address emerging needs and help create a sense of place.
Landscape Forms products have improved outdoor spaces around the world, including installations at Western Michigan University, LinkedIn, New York Central Park Conservancy, Google, Coca Cola, Oculus, U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), Nike, National Museum of African American History (Washington, D.C.), Barclays Center, Adidas, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Microsoft, and Uber.
Named one of the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 by Fortune magazine, Landscape Forms was also recognized as Michigan Manufacturer of the Year for 2020 by the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and by 269 Magazine as one of Southwest Michigan’s Wonderful Workplaces.
Website:
MEIJER
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Michigan based retailer that operates more than 500 supercenters, neighborhood markets and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics.
For information on Meijer’s sustainability work, please visit :
OWENS CORNING
Founded in 1938, Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a global building and construction materials leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation. The company’s three integrated businesses – Composites, Insulation, and Roofing – provide durable, sustainable, and energy-efficient solutions that leverage its unique material science, manufacturing, and market knowledge to help customers win and grow.
Owens Corning is a global leader in sustainability with a two-decade track record of global impact and an unrelenting commitment toward its goals to increase the positive impact of its products, reduce the negative impact of its operations, and help employees and the communities in which they live and work thrive. The company has earned a place on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for 12 consecutive years. In 2022, it earned the top spot on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens list for an unprecedented fourth year in a row in recognition of its outstanding environmental, social, and governance performance and transparency.
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Owens Corning has approximately 20,000 employees in 33 countries.
Website:
PFIZER INC.
Pfizer Inc. is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. We apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives through the discovery, development and manufacture of medicines and vaccines. Guided by our values and our commitments to long-term sustainability, Pfizer's environment, social and governance (ESG) approach informs how we can advance our purpose - Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives - in a responsible and sustainable way that takes accountability for the impact we make on society. By taking proactive, collaborative steps to advance ESG at Pfizer, we can help improve health outcomes, build trust, create shared value, and make a positive impact on society for years to come. Our ESG strategy includes six priority areas: product innovation; equitable access and pricing; product quality and safety; diversity, equity and inclusion; climate change; and business ethics. These priorities represent the areas of most significance to our business and stakeholders.
Website:
WK KELLOGG CO
At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Froot Loops®, Kashi®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran®, and Bear Naked®. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger® and Toucan Sam®, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve. Through our sustainable business strategy – Feeding HappinessTM – we aim to build healthier and happier futures for families, kids and communities. We are making a positive impact, while creating foods that bring joy and nourishment to consumers.
For more information about WK Kellogg Co and Feeding Happiness, visit www.wkkellogg.com
51¸£ÀûÉç OFFICE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The mission of the Office for Sustainability is to guide and assist the University community in fulfilling and growing its sustainability commitments. Through building a diverse and flourishing learning community around sustainability, we continually explore and develop new opportunities to create a culture of sustainability and improve quality of life for all. The Office for Sustainability offers a range of ways to get involved with campus sustainability.
Opportunities, in descending order of time commitment and responsibility, include:
- Graduate and Doctoral Assistantships
- WeSustain Internship
- Part-time student jobs
- Volunteering
Website: wmich.edu/sustainability
51¸£ÀûÉç HAWORTH COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
51¸£ÀûÉç’s Haworth College of Business is the academic home to more than 3,500 undergraduate students majoring in 17 specialized areas. An additional 300 graduate students study business administration and accountancy. The college offers certificate programs in supply chain and cybersecurity.
51¸£ÀûÉç Haworth is among an elite group of fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide that are accredited at both the undergraduate and graduate levels by the AACSB International -The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Website: /business.
Haworth is seeing a growth of nearly 20% in the Master of Business Administration program. 51¸£ÀûÉç Haworth’s new HyFlex program has been a major factor that is encouraging more graduate students to pursue an MBA at 51¸£ÀûÉç Haworth . The HyFlex MBA program is a course model that presents content in a flexible structure, giving students the option of attending sessions in the classroom, participating online or both.
Additionally, the College requires all undergraduate students to take a course in ethics and sustainability as a graduation requirement regardless of major.
Website: wmich.edu/business
QUESTIONS?
Contact Dr. Neil L. Drobny, Program Director Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact
(614) 268-6100 or neil.drobny@wmich.edu.