Kohler Case Study

Kohler’s Cool Choices corporate sustainability employee engagement program helped amplify current sustainability efforts and goals throughout the company.

Our primary objective was engagement. We have strong green teams…we wanted to get more people involved in these efforts…the program engaged a broader audience, getting people excited about sustainability and interested in learning how to make sustainability part of their work and life.

cool choices bullseye
Brigitte Dilman-Cruce
Curriculum Specialist-Sustainabiliy at Kohler Co.

Kohler’s Sustainability History and Program Goals

Kohler is an industry leader in kitchen and bathroom products, engines and generators, decorative products, and hospitality services. Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, the innovative company is a household name with more than 50 manufacturing locations on six continents, and more than 35,000 associates dedicated to providing a sense of gracious living to every corner of the world.
Kohler is also a leader in environmental sustainability, setting and achieving aggressive corporate sustainability goals while also offering customers high-quality products that reduce water usage. In 2017 Kohler issued its first sustainability report, and launched a partnership with Cool Choices.

kohler cool choices sustainability program results

“Our primary objective was engagement. We have strong green teams throughout our organization and we wanted to get more people involved in these efforts,” notes Brigitte Dilman-Cruce, Curriculum Specialist-Sustainability. “I was surprised at how effectively the program engaged a broader audience, getting people excited about sustainability and interested in learning how to make sustainability part of their work and life.”

Leverage Program Data to Further Sustainability Goals

As a result of Kohler’s implementation of a Cool Choices employee engagement program around sustainability, nearly 50 employees indicated an interest in joining one of Kohler’s sustainability teams!

“The game also provided a great team building opportunity and helped to bolster communication,” added Kris Jochman, Senior Project Analyst – High Volume Assembly, and member of the winning Cool Choices engagement program team.

In addition to increased engagement, Kohler associates reported actions that add up to real savings, at work and at home.

“I commute almost 900 miles per week,” said Deepak Gopal, Senior Staff Engineer – Large Gas Engines and individual game winner. “Some of the tips from Cool Choices like ‘avoid jack rabbit driving’ and ‘turn off your car’s air conditioner when traveling less than 40 miles per hour’ really make a difference for me.”

On average, the Kohler participants reduced their individual carbon emissions by 0.4 Metric Tons. The total annual emissions savings are equivalent to more than 650 car trips from LA to New York City.

Most important, though, Kohler staff are excited about sustainability—they are sharing strategies with their colleagues, joining green teams and generating ideas about how everyone can work together to help Kohler achieve its aggressive sustainability goals even faster.

If your organization would like to implement a corporate sustainability program like Kohler’s, please contact us.