Achieving sustainability in the business setup involves various practices that reshape the business’s processes and products. First, businesses today need to make conscious efforts to drastically reduce their environmental impact to achieve the 2030 net-zero carbon goals. Second, corporations create and utilize technologies and processes that promote longevity and effective resource management. The means to incorporate these changes vary per industry.

In the vertical transportation systems industry, International Elevator and Equipment, Inc. (IEE) is a prominent player in stepping up our sustainability game, embracing sustainability that impacts future generations.

How does IEE create a significant impact on the industry, the environment, and society at large?

IEE’s Definition of Sustainability

IEE and our partner, Mitsubishi Electric, define sustainability through a shared commitment to providing eco-conscious technologies. We have also been augmenting sustainability practices in our operations. The company has embodied the latter’s core sustainability strategy of creating innovative means to meet current needs without compromising future generations’ resources.

Longstanding Building Solutions Technologies

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our products and collaborative approach with Philippine corporations. By actively engaging with businesses, IEE advocates adopting energy-efficient building solutions that last long, needing only minimal repairs and upgrades.

Businesses are readily supplied with elevator and escalator technologies to make people and goods transportation seamless and efficient. Vertical lift systems with the latest features, such as energy-efficient models, smart features, and touchless functions are also provided. In addition, we ensure to modernize our client’s vertical lifts to lessen repair and maintenance while adhering to the latest industry standards. These solutions allow clients to save on costs while reducing their environmental impact with lesser energy used plus a propensity for longer usage.

The air conditioning systems that IEE provides are also built for long-term usage. These have energy-saving features, coupled with the capability of installing an air filtration system to the air conditioning unit. In addition, Mitsubishi Electric now uses the R32 refrigerant, an organic gas that has low global warming potential and costs less to cool a location. With this refrigerant, greenhouse gases produced by the air conditioning units have been reduced to a maximum of 84% compared to Mitsubishi Electric’s conventional products that used the R410A Refrigerant.

Building management and power-generating systems save costs and make energy consumption more efficient. Building management systems enable building managers to handle the business’s operations through one system. This makes it easier to monitor and change the operating systems inside the establishment more efficiently. Power-generating systems enable establishments to store and use energy during critical times. This allows the establishment to continue its operations and experience minimal downtime.

Practicing Sustainable Operations

An essential aspect of IEE's sustainable practices is walking the talk by optimizing energy consumption within our facilities. By embracing resource-efficient measures such as adopting energy-saving technologies and equipment, we made progress in reducing our carbon footprint.

The energy efficiency index tracks the energy consumption of occupied air-conditioned areas within our own building. We also implement the following activities to reduce energy consumption:

• Turning lights and computers off during lunch breaks.
• Using the building management system that ties our office water system, lighting, air conditioning, and electricity under one system. This makes it easier to monitor and change processes within the building to reduce resource consumption.

Giving Back To Communities

IEE invests in raising awareness about sustainability and its importance as a responsible corporate citizen. The company strives to foster a culture of social responsibility and environmental awareness in our workforce through the IEE Foundation and community engagements, including tree planting, outreach programs, and calamity relief operations.

IEE Foundation

At IEE, we understand the value of education. The IEE Foundation Inc. (IEEFI) funds the children of tenured employees with their total tuition fees in select prestigious schools in the country, as well as living allowances and laptops.

The Foundation also supports employees who wish to pursue further studies. IEEFI currently accepts employee scholars for graduate studies who are eligible according to the Educational Assistance Plan. Eligible scholars will receive monetary assistance for their tuition, miscellaneous fees, review class fees, board examinations, and professional registration fees.

Tree Planting Activity at Tanaw De Rizal, Rizal

Last October 21, 2022, more than a hundred IEE and MELCO Factory Automation Philippines Inc. (MELAP) employees participated in the company’s tree-planting activity in Rizal, Laguna. Tanaw de Rizal is one of the province’s protected forests and is a priority project as the local government-instituted ecotourism development site. The team was able to plant 500 tree seedlings in 2022. The company adopted a tree planting site to check, plant, and maintain the area and the planted trees. On March 10, 2023, the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility committee revisited the site and noted that a significant number of saplings had survived.

Bloodletting Activity with the Philippine Red Cross

On February 23, 2023, we held our first bloodletting activity with the Philippine Red Cross Rizal Chapter. Fifty-nine employees registered for the event. Out of the total, 47 were allowed to donate their blood, resulting in a 79.66% success rate.

Practicing Good Governance

IEE practices good corporate governance as part of our commitment to sustainable operations. We ensure that the company operates in the best interests of all stakeholders.

Transparency and accountability are essentials we ensure to provide accurate information on our operations and sustainability initiatives to the stakeholders. The company also invests in employee welfare and development as we empower the workforce as individuals and as IEE employees. In addition, the company also conducts risk management and compliance measures to mitigate potential risks that we might encounter. Lastly, stakeholder engagement allows us to foster an environment where we align with the needs and expectations of the company’s stakeholders.

Through these principles, IEE exemplifies the impact of responsible corporate governance in promoting environmental stewardship and societal well-being.

Driving Positive Change

IEE’s commitment to “Changes for the Better” is exhibited in the company’s internal and external sustainability measures. Our comprehensive approach to sustainable products and practices allows us to take a step toward our 2025 goals. As we continuously implement responsible practices and embrace technological advancements that drive positive change, IEE will continue contributing to the collective goal of creating a sustainable and resilient Philippines.