The Agility Management Building, which was finalized in January 2017, was built with state-of-the-art sustainability features that maximizes the use of natural light while improving overall cooling efficiency and energy use. The 834 sq.m. building is equipped with solar thermal panels, which provide the energy needed to operate the air-conditioning units. The building also includes triple-pane windows that are covered in electro chromic coating, to adjust tint in response to external conditions, allowing light to pass through while blocking heat and increasing energy efficiency. Tarek Sultan, Vice Chairman and CEO, Agility said, “Responsibility is ingrained in Agility’s corporate DNA, and we take carbon footprint reduction very seriously. Creating a better environment for our talent is an important component of our overall sustainability efforts.” At the time of writing in Kuwait, Agility is one of only four certified projects, and one of 38 registered LEED projects in the country. Incorporating green building practices in the construction industry is a critical way for Kuwaiti companies to help meet the country’s sustainability targets.
As part of the Asia Pacific (APAC) Leadership Development Program, Agility leaders took on a “stretch assignment” to identify how to increase the pipeline of female employees transitioning to executive and director-level positions within the company. Working across 15 countries, the group gathered data and conducted a perception survey to understand the current state of women leadership in Agility and build the business case for women’s empowerment. In interviews, external experts provided guidance on how to implement successful women’s empowerment programs based on experience from other companies.
Based on the evidence, a strong majority of surveyed women feel that their managers support gender equality and women’s career development, allow for flexible working arrangements, and do not assume that women with families are not interested in career advancement. However, a few key challenges will need to be overcome in order to reach an ambitious goal of a 30% increase in women’s participation in leadership positions.
From the mix of internal and external information, the team was able to identify where to prioritize, as well as how to implement programs that work. First, Agility must improve the regularity of data on gender indicators, including gender pay differentials and maternity leave return rates. Second, leadership should engage more proactively on the topic. Lastly, the logistics industry must grapple with low proportions of female candidates at the junior level. According to the findings from this project, Agility APAC is working to increase women’s leadership in the region. For example, the proportion of women selected for the regional Management Development Program jumped from 10% to 50% from 2015 to 2018.
Agility Turkey employees initiated a campaign to help raise awareness on environmental preservation amongst local primary school students. In addition, new water taps were installed to upgrade school facilities in order to improve resource consumption. The Agility volunteers also delivered lectures to students to highlight different ways to improve resource consumption and save water.
As part of the Logistics Emergency Teams (LET), Agility donated 2,000 sqm of warehouse for two months to store emergency food assistance for 750,000 people displaced by Hurricane Mathew in Haiti. In addition, a team of 11 experienced Agility logisticians flew into Haiti to support the relief efforts on the ground.
Agility supported the Environmental Protection Agency with several events throughout 2016, which included beach clean-ups, plastics recycling, and awareness raising workshops about water conservation, waste and general environmental preservation.
Agility Kuwait and Kuwait Healthy Living, a non-profit, conducted a two-month campaign that promoted sustainable community gardening and healthy eating among primary school students.
Agility chemicals safety experts introduced and identified the different classes of chemicals to the students and educated them on the various safety measures that should be taken to avoid any hazardous effects.
Agility, along with its subsidiary UPAC, collected funds and school supplies. Each student received a backpack, school notebooks, and stationary, and raised funds to support the tuition fees for Syrian refugee students.