B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
©Copyright 2012 B Lab. All rights reservedAbout Cascade Engineering
Cascade Engineering is a manufacturer and marketer of products and services supporting a variety of industries including renewable energy, automotive, commercial truck & bus, solid waste & recycling, material compounding, furniture, RFID, and material handling. The Cascade Engineering Family Of Companies is a global company with more than 1000 employees and 14 businesses. The company's world-class engineering, technology and manufacturing allows it to provide leading-edge solutions, while maintaining a strong commitment to lean manufacturing and environmental stewardship. Cascade's business model is rooted in diversification and innovation and a commitment to creating sustainable products and services that contribute to the triple bottom line.
Cascade Engineering is pleased to join the growing number of Certified B Corporations who are finding collective strength and voice through the power and credibility of the ‘B Corp.' brand. At Cascade the B Corporations philosophy is not new, it's what we have been all along - passionate advocates for the positive impact business can make economically, socially and environmentally.
Cascade Engineering is looking forward to interacting with and learning about other Certified B Corporations and their best practices. This will help Cascade enhance its systems, processes and practices and hopefully share ideas and learn from other Certified B Corporation.
The Change We Seek™
Sustainability or business growth? - Cascade Engineering’s answer is “both-and”- sustainability is both the right thing to do and good for business. At Cascade Engineering they believe that sustainability drives innovation and growth across the three capitals that comprise the Triple Bottom Line - People, Planet and Profit. In fact Cascade Engineering’s purpose is to make a positive impact on our society, the environment and to be financially successful.
Cascade Engineering has worked diligently over the past decade to create a corporate culture and strategy focused on sustainability. Increasingly their sustainability strategy has provided successes both below and above the line in the sustainability equation – that is, in both the “denominator” (eliminating waste and footprint reduction) and the “numerator” (growth in products and services that benefit the world).
Cascade Engineering
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
- Ownership: Private
- http://www.cascadeng.com
Summary:
Certified: October 2010| Points Earned | % Points Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability » | 8.6 | 86% |
| Employees » | 33.5 | 67% |
| Consumers » | 4.1 | 14% |
| Community » | 16.2 | 42% |
| Environment » | 30.5 | 64% |
| Composite B Score | 92.9 |
- >80 out of 200 is eligible for certification
- >60% points available = Area of excellence
Highlights:
From B Impact AssessmentEmployees: A living wage is paid to all full-time and part-time employees; >75% of health insurance covered for employees and their families; company makes employee retention, diversity, satisfaction data transparent to all employees; 20% of employees recieve paid professional development opportunities; mfg facilities have health and safety committees that track and monitor injuries and accidents
Community: Emphasize long term relationships with significant suppliers; visited >50% of their overseas vendors on-site; 20-29% of managers are women or ethnic minorities; 5-10% of employees are people with disabilities; employees offered more than 20hrs a year of paid time for community service
Consumers: Growing segment of products and services are with a direct social impact including business units that manufacture rooftop wind turbines, water filtration systems for emerging markets, recycled plastic products, and business consulting on training employees with a barrier to employment.
Environment: Two facilites acheiving LEED Certification; a growing product line is certified cradle to cradle; achieved 1-4% reduction in relative energy use; >50% of overall energy use from renewable resources; waste reduction tracked annually and reduction acheived in the last 2 years.
Accountability: Board includes independent members represented from the Community and Employees; report externally with quantitative data about mission related performance