ILI is the first U.S.-based manufacturer to receive the Just Label from International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
DELANO, Minn. — Industrial Louvers, Inc. (ILI), a manufacturer of custom architectural products, announces that it is the first U.S.-based manufacturing company to have earned a Just™ Label. Participation in the Just Program is an opportunity for organizations to demonstrate their leadership in many areas of corporate social responsibility. The program’s justice and equity indicators include treatment of employees, diversity and inclusion, local sourcing and purchasing, worker benefits, workplace safety and community stewardship. The program requires reporting on 19 of 22 performance indicators in six categories. ILI reported data on 21 indicators.
Francis Janes, Just Program manager for International Living Future Institute (ILFI), explains: “In a relatively short time frame since program launch, the Just Program has garnered worldwide interest and is helping organizations develop better employee engagement policies and community stewardship practices. ILFI is very pleased to announce that Industrial Louvers has joined the ranks of Just Labeled organizations with the distinction of being the first U.S.-based manufacturer to earn the Just Label. The Just Label reflects Industrial Louvers’ long-standing commitment to sustainability and social equity practices.”
“ILI first embarked on the project as part of a larger corporate responsibility and sustainability effort,” says Jo Reinhardt, CEO of ILI. “We realized that for our products to be truly sustainable, we need to evaluate how our practices influence our people and community as well as the environment. Our core values have always included a strong commitment to our employees, and we strive to provide transparency in our organization. The Just Label helps us illustrate those commitments.”
Participation in the program prompted ILI to formalize some of the company’s positive initiatives, like charitable giving, local purchasing and identifying target areas for future improvement, such as continuing education. The company is proud of its performance scores, particularly in indicators such as pay scale equity. According to the AFL-CIO, CEOs are paid, on average, 331 times the average worker. At ILI, the CEO is paid less than a 15:1 ratio, the best performance level available for the indicator. This demonstrates that at ILI, executives do not draw on a disproportionate share of the benefits of the employees’ work. Other areas proved more difficult, particularly for a manufacturing company. The Just Label calls for a 50-50 split between men and women in the workforce. Even though the company is woman-owned and -operated, and half of the senior managers are women, a 50-50 split across the entire workforce is currently impossible to achieve. The Sheet Metal Workers Union reports that only 1.56 percent of available manufacturing workers are women. ILI outperforms the average manufacturer with nearly 10 percent women in its factory. “We will continue to focus on recruiting and retaining more women,” explains Reinhardt. “But overall, we are very proud of our leadership in this area.”
ILI’s business strategy focuses on driving positive change in environmental sustainability and social justice in its industry sector. This commitment goes beyond its own operations and providing products for green building projects. The company encourages the efforts of organizations that promote sustainability, environmental awareness and social justice throughout the industry. It supports the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Minnesota chapter of the USGBC, the Health Product Declaration® Collaborative (HPDC), and ILFI through sponsorships, leadership roles and volunteerism. ILI’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) accredited professionals provide training for staff, sales representatives and the industry on a variety of topics related to green building.
To learn more about Industrial Louvers or to view the company’s Just Label, visit IndustrialLouvers.com. For information on the Just Program, visit JustOrganizations.com.
About Industrial Louvers, Inc.
ILI is a customer-focused, woman-owned and -operated manufacturer of custom architectural metal products, including architectural louvers, equipment screens, decorative grilles, sunshades and column covers. Since 1971, we have been helping meet the needs of designers, contractors and subcontractors across all segments of the construction industry. Our position as a leader in the industry is based on our reputation for manufacturing products of the highest quality and craftsmanship and providing unmatched customer service.
About International Living Future Institute
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is an inspiring hub for visionary programs. ILFI’s leads and supports the transformation of communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. Composed of leading green building experts and thought leaders, the Institute is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is a fundamental requirement for reconciling humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The Institute runs the Living Building Challenge™, Living Community Challenge™, Living Product Challenge™, Net Zero Energy Certification™, Cascadia Green Building Council, Ecotone Publishing, Declare™, Just™ and other leading-edge programs. A global network of more than 400 volunteers across nearly 30 countries drives the local adoption of restorative principles in their communities.
Just, Living Building Challenge, Living Community Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Net Zero Energy Certification and Declare are trademarks of International Living Future Institute. LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. Health Product Declaration is a registered trademark of Health Product Declaration Collaborative.
