Press Release
Ribbon-cutting ceremony reveals renovated Cargo of Dreams shipping container
Henkel employees transform cargo shipping container into classroom for use
in South Africa
Bridgewater, New Jersey, Dec. 14, 2016 - Henkel Adhesive Technologies, the leading
solution provider worldwide for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings officially sent
off their “Cargo of Dreams” to South Africa – a shipping container transformed into a
kindergarten classroom – during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held earlier today. The
celebration was the culmination of months of work and coordination between Henkel’s
employees and Cargo of Dreams, a global non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated
to transforming impoverished communities worldwide. Financial support was provided
through Henkel’s “Make an Impact on Tomorrow” (MIT) program.
MIT is a global program that supports the volunteer work of Henkel employees and retirees
through funding or “time off” to perform community outreach. Since its launch in 1998, over
12,100 social engagement projects around the world have been supported. The MIT
program provided grants to support the completion of this project. More than 100
employees volunteered over 830 hours to work on the shipping container.
Michel Bilodeau, Senior Vice President, Packaging, Consumer Goods & Construction for
Henkel Adhesive Technologies, provided opening remarks: “I am very proud of what our
volunteers have accomplished! More than 100 employees volunteered over 830 hours to
work on every facet of the transformation -- including drilling, installation of insulation,
plumbing and electricity, cutting sheetrock and painting – it was a tremendous effort from
everyone involved. Now that our work is completed, the container will be shipped to South
Africa, where our Henkel colleagues will complete the final cutouts for windows and doors
and transport it to its final destination in George, South Africa.”
Joanne Georgiana, Henkel’s coordinator for the Cargo of Dreams project, introduced the
theme that inspired the design of Henkel’s container: “We are all connected in matters of
the heart.” Joanne also recognized Bridgewater-Raritan High School students as the
inspiration for the project. “During a visit to the school in 2013, we saw students working on
a Cargo of Dreams container that would be used as a birthing clinic in Uganda. We were
impressed with the student’s efforts and provided a $6,500 MIT grant from Henkel to
support the project. That exposure planted the seed for us to transform our own container.”
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The Cargo of Dreams organization partners with corporations, schools and community
groups to convert shipping containers into fully functional operating facilities, such as
schools and medical centers. Donor groups are responsible for sourcing a container,
constructing the interior and painting the exterior.
Henkel provided a $12,500 MIT grant to support the project. On Nov. 3, 2015, a container
measuring 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and almost 9 feet tall was delivered to the Bridgewater
site, and over the past 13 months, employee volunteers worked tirelessly to convert the
container into a kindergarten classroom. The exterior now features colorful silhouettes with
outstretched arms joined by hearts.
According to Kim Tagesen, Business Director, Consumer Packaging, Henkel Adhesive
Technologies – who also participated in the ribbon-cutting celebration via audio from South
Africa - the container will now travel over 8,000 miles to Capetown, before it arrives at its
final destination in George, South Africa. Henkel employees in Alrode, South Africa also
secured an MIT grant to renovate a container; the final setup will include two containers
with a roof connecting them together.
Mike Harwell, Vice President, Product Development, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, thanked
the volunteers for their endless commitment and dedication to the project. “With your hard
work, you have helped to make a difference in people’s lives locally and globally, and we
applaud your efforts.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony signaled the completion of many hours of work by Bridgewater
employees, who have a history of local and global community outreach.
Henkel in North America
Henkel markets a wide range of well-known consumer and industrial brands in North America,
including Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, Right Guard® antiperspirants, got2b® hair gels, and
Loctite® adhesives. Visit www.henkel-northamerica.com for more information.
About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading
positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong
brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the
adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty
Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world.
Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2015, Henkel reported
sales of 18.1 billion euros (20.1 billion US dollars), adjusted operating profit of 2.9 billion euros (3.2
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Corporate Communications
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billion US dollars). Its three top brands, Persil (detergent), Schwarzkopf (hair care) and Loctite
(adhesives) generated more than 6 billion euros (around 6.6 billion US dollars) in combined sales.
Henkel employs around 50,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a
strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a
recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and
rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information,
please visit www.henkel.com
Contact
Phone
Email
Delker Vardilos
860-571-5344
[email protected]
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Corporate Communications
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