Company announces progress in business integration, product stability and community impact
SYDNEY and CHICAGO, 19 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ — James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX; NYSE: JHX), (“James Hardie” or the “Company”), the North American leader in fibre cement exterior design solutions and a company that inspires communities to design, build and grow, today released its latest annual Sustainability Report, detailing progress across the four key pillars of the Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy: Zero Harm, Planet, Innovation and Communities.
“Sustainability is fundamental at James Hardie. It is central to our business,” said Jill KollingChief Sustainability Officer at James Hardie. “We have ambitious goals and our progress has been made possible by collaboration and innovation across the entire value chain, because together we want to put sustainability into action and do the right thing for our planet, our people and the communities we serve.”
The report, titled “Building a Culture of Sustainability,” highlights employee-driven initiatives, key industry collaborations and innovations to advance the company’s goal of “Building a Better Future for All™.” The report includes the following highlights from fiscal year 2024:
Integration into business processes
- Sustainability strategies have been integrated into the Hardie™ Manufacturing Operating System (HMOS) with the intent of prioritizing the sustainability impacts of plant operations while meeting future goals.
- Internal, short-term regional targets have been set to promote local responsibility and make progress towards James Hardie’s global environmental goals.
No damage
- Significant investments have been made in safety infrastructure projects worldwide, including upgrading work at height equipment, installing over 1,200 machine guards to provide additional protection for employees and promoting risk awareness.
Product innovation
- In EuropeHardy® The high-performance facade cladding in panel construction achieves the lowest CO₂ emissions of all facades in fire protection class A2.
- In the United States, Green contractor media James Hardie has been recognized as a leading manufacturer of green innovations and brands and® Artisan Lap Siding was named Sustainable Product of the Year 2024 because of its lower carbon footprint compared to traditional heavy-duty building products, as well as its long-lasting durability and resilience to harsh weather and natural disasters.
Diversity in management
- The proportion of women in management positions increased from 19 percent in fiscal year 2023 to 23 percent in fiscal year 2024, with a view to the target of 25 percent in fiscal year 2026.
Human Rights
- Completed risk mapping of global Tier 1 suppliers included in the project from a modern slavery perspective and internationally accepted responsible business frameworks. This is an important next step in scaling up the responsible sourcing program.
Stronger communities
- Contribution 1.66 billion US dollars By investing in factories and employees, local ecosystems and the entire supply base, the company increases economic value in the communities in which it operates.
- Launch of a corporate sponsorship for the Habitat Strong initiative to build affordable and climate-resilient homes that can withstand extreme weather conditions and natural disasters.
“Every product in and around the home has an impact and our company is committed to leading the building materials industry to ensure that all homes are sustainable,” said Aaron ErterCEO of James Hardie. “Sustainability is a never-ending journey for James Hardie and we will continue to actively integrate our goals into our business operations, our governance structure and our corporate culture.”
Building a culture of sustainability
James Hardie’s sustainability goals are directly aligned with the issues that matter most to stakeholders and overall company goals. The company’s sustainability strategy is driven by collaboration across research and development, engineering, manufacturing, finance and human resources.
“The fact that our sustainability efforts are part of HMOS underlines to our employees that we want to operate our facilities in this way and continue to achieve our goals in the future,” said Ryan KilcullenExecutive Vice President Global Operations at James Hardie. “HMOS represents our culture of continuous improvement and LEAN manufacturing and empowers our employees to drive improvements in environmental performance.”
Beautiful products, exceptional durability and resilience
James Hardie is committed to developing beautiful products with exceptional durability and resilience to extreme weather conditions as the frequency of climate-related events increases. In fiscal year 2024, James Hardie fiber cement products were selected by three leading homebuilders from across the U.S. to highlight carbon-neutral construction and demonstrate that the average family can afford a sustainable home. The projects featured at the NAHB International Builders’ Show® In February 2024show that every element of a sustainable home can play an effective role in the pursuit of a low-carbon future.
Hardy® Durable products are non-flammable, pest resistant and suitable for U.S. flood zones. They require less maintenance and last longer, thereby using fewer resources in the long run, increasing value for homeowners and meeting the 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 reliable protection and low maintenance. As a leading manufacturer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions in the United StatesJames Hardie offers siding and accessories to suit every style. Hardie® products are non-combustible and weather and time resistant, enabling homeowners and building professionals to create the home of their dreams. James Hardie maintains an inclusive company culture and an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company is proud to employ a diverse workforce of over 3,700 people across North America.
For more information and media resources, visit JamesHardie.com and JamesHardie.com/about-us/media resources./about-us/media-resources.
Investor information is available at ir.jameshardie.com.au.
For sustainability information and the full report, visit JamesHardie.com/all-about-james-hardie/sustainability-esg-initiatives/.
Connect with James Hardie on social media:
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Þjórsárdalur
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause James Hardie’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties set out in Section 3, “Risk Factors,” in James Hardie’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017. March 31, 2024; changes in general economic, political, regulatory and business conditions worldwide and in the countries in which James Hardie does business; changes in interest rates; changes in inflation rates; changes in foreign 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 undertakes no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this news release, except as required by law.
This press release has been approved by the Board of Directors of James Hardie.
Contact for investors and media
Joe AhlersmeyerCFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
phone: +1 773-970-1213
e-mail: (email protected)
James Hardie Industries plc is a limited liability company incorporated in Ireland located on the 1st floor, Block A, A parking spaceUpper Hatch Street, Dublin 2, D02 FD79, Ireland.
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