2023 Environmental, Social and Governance Report
Who We Are
CornerStone Wall Solutions Inc. (“CornerStone”) is dedicated to simplifying the creation of retaining wall products, systems, and solutions. With over 20 years of experience in product design, engineering and marketing, CornerStone continues to develop effective retaining wall systems for both residential and commercial projects. These products and projects range from simple and charming residential to large and complex infrastructure. Our products cater to contractors, engineers, architects, and manufacturers, offering designs and solutions to enhance efficiency and timelines. CornerStone Wall Solutions is part of the industry associations Concreate Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA).
ESG Statement
At CornerStone Wall Solutions Inc., Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are central to our vision and strategy. We recognize the impact of our actions on the future, and our commitment to ESG reflects our vision of fostering a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world. We invite our stakeholders to join us on this journey as we pursue our ESG values and goals while striving for operational excellence and enduring success. With this inaugural report demonstrating our ESG journey, we recognize the need to address the following focus areas that are core to our business:
- Sustainable Product
- Climate Change & Greenhouse Gas Reduction
- Health & Safety
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Employee Wellness & Development
- Community Investment
- Ethical Governance Practices
Environmental
Sustainable Product
https://magnumstone.com/resources-support/advantages/
Climate Change & Greenhouse Gas Reduction
CornerStone offers a variety of product lines that have a lower environmental footprint as opposed to conventional counterparts. Core to our operations, there are sustainability benefits intrinsic to our product offering that can reduce environmental impacts of construction and support our customer’s sustainability goals.
Our large wet-cast products can be installed by using smaller equipment, which improves construction safety by reducing the likelihood of labor-related workplace injuries and reduces the carbon footprint of running such equipment. Carbon emissions are further reduced through requiring less truckloads, as logistics are streamlined through the ability to transport more hollow core blocks per trip as opposed to exceedingly heavy solid concrete blocks.
CornerStone’s newer MagnumStone product is made up of 40% less concrete than traditional solid wall systems. By requiring less concrete in block production, improving transportation efficiency, expediting installation processes, and offering plantable wall designs, our system provides more sustainable construction options and significantly reduces carbon emissions. In comparison with traditional solid wall systems, MagnumStone requires 30% less fuel usage, 30% less trips, and 2/3 of the number of blocks. MagnumStone’s plantable wall option also reduces the heat island effect that is common of traditional concrete systems, by maximizing the amount of greenspace and offering a greater opportunity to support plants and natural habitats, enabling ecosystems to continue to thrive. MagnumStone can also earn points for projects that are seeking certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
Further information on MagnumStone can be found on our website at
https://magnumstone.com/resources-support/advantages/
Social
Health & Safety
CornerStone places safety at the forefront of our corporate culture, demonstrating our commitment to the well-being of employees, contractors, visitors, and the communities we engage with. Safety is not only a priority but an integral aspect of our core values, influencing every facet of our operations. Our Health and Safety (H&S) policy outlines a comprehensive framework, articulating the principles guiding our pursuit of a secure work environment.
Our safety commitment spans various elements, encompassing safety responsibility, compliance with laws and regulations, hazard identification and mitigation, training and awareness, incident reporting and investigation, emergency response and preparedness, and a dedication to continuous improvement. At CornerStone, safety is a collective responsibility from leadership to frontline workers, emphasizing individual and collective accountability. We provide necessary resources, training, and support to ensure tasks are executed securely.
In alignment with our commitment to compliance, CornerStone meticulously adheres to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards governing safety, health, and environmental protection. Regular reviews and updates to our safety policies reflect our commitment to evolving regulations. Proactive measures for hazard identification and mitigation curtail physical and environmental risks, ensuring the well-being of all involved. Tailored safety training fosters a culture of awareness through regular communication, drills, and educational campaigns. Encouraging prompt reporting of incidents, we conduct thorough investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Our dedication to emergency response and preparedness is evident in plans for addressing accidents or crises.
Producers must adhere to the NPCA & CMHA retaining wall best practices manual to ensure these high-quality products meet industry standards. Ongoing communication, including regular visits to manufacturing facilities, is maintained with our producer partners to reinforce this commitment.
CornerStone remains committed to continuous improvement in safety performance, regularly evaluating and enhancing our safety culture through policy updates, seeking feedback from employees and stakeholders. We communicate our safety commitment to all stakeholders, fostering a workplace where safety is paramount, embodying our belief that safety is a shared responsibility.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
CornerStone is committed to fostering a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and every employee feels valued. Our policies encompass equity, fairness, inclusivity, recruitment, reporting, and continuous improvement.
We prioritize cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, recognizing the vital role it plays in driving innovation, creativity, and better decision-making. Our DEI policy articulates the principles guiding our efforts.
CornerStone’s Policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focuses on key areas: equity and fairness, an inclusive work environment, recruitment and hiring, reporting and accountability, and continuous improvement. CornerStone actively promotes workplace diversity, embracing the individual differences that make each of us unique. We are dedicated to establishing a workplace culture where diversity is celebrated, fostering an environment where each employee feels valued and respected.
In our commitment to equity and fairness, CornerStone addresses disparities, eliminating discrimination and bias. This commitment extends to fostering an inclusive work environment through cultural competence training and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Regarding recruitment and hiring, CornerStone actively seeks diverse candidates and implements processes to eliminate bias, ensuring inclusivity in job postings, descriptions, and interview panels. We have established reporting mechanisms to encourage employees to report incidents, with a commitment to thorough investigations and corrective actions. Senior leadership is held accountable for diversity, equity, and inclusion progress through regular reporting. CornerStone is dedicated to continuous improvement, updating policies and practices based on the latest best practices, research, and feedback.
At CornerStone, a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. This policy underscores our commitment to creating an environment where every employee can thrive and contribute to our collective success. We will communicate this commitment comprehensively to all stakeholders and hold ourselves accountable for upholding these principles, collaboratively shaping a workplace that values diversity, ensures equity, and promotes inclusion.
Employee Development & Wellness
At CornerStone, we believe that investing in local communities is not only a social responsibility but also an opportunity to create shared value. Currently, CornerStone is working on developing our community investment policy and assessing how we can best serve the communities that we operate. Through this policy, we commit to making a positive impact on the communities where we operate, promoting their well-being, and contributing to their long-term sustainability.
CornerStone is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and contributing positively to the communities in which we operate. We recognize the importance of investing in local communities to foster economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. Cornerstone’s community investment policy centers around Community Engagement, Economic Development, Philanthropic Initiatives, Environmental Responsibility, Education and Skills, and Reporting and Accountability.
At CornerStone, we believe that investing in local communities is not only a social responsibility but also an opportunity to create shared value. Through this policy, we commit to making a positive impact on the communities where we operate, promoting their well-being, and contributing to their long-term sustainability. This policy will be communicated to all employees and stakeholders, and we will hold ourselves accountable for upholding these principles. Together, we will be active contributors to the betterment of our local communities.
Community Investment
At CornerStone, we believe that investing in local communities is not only a social responsibility but also an opportunity to create shared value. Currently, CornerStone is working on developing our community investment policy and assessing how we can best serve the communities that we operate. Through this policy, we commit to making a positive impact on the communities where we operate, promoting their well-being, and contributing to their long-term sustainability.
CornerStone is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and contributing positively to the communities in which we operate. We recognize the importance of investing in local communities to foster economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. Cornerstone’s community investment policy centers around Community Engagement, Economic Development, Philanthropic Initiatives, Environmental Responsibility, Education and Skills, and Reporting and Accountability.
At CornerStone, we believe that investing in local communities is not only a social responsibility but also an opportunity to create shared value. Through this policy, we commit to making a positive impact on the communities where we operate, promoting their well-being, and contributing to their long-term sustainability. This policy will be communicated to all employees and stakeholders, and we will hold ourselves accountable for upholding these principles. Together, we will be active contributors to the betterment of our local communities.
Case Study: Charitable Initiatives
CornerStone Wall Solutions Inc. engaged in a charitable volunteer initiative supporting the Kids Helping Kids Charity Junior Golf Classic, supporting the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
We are also delighted to announce that we are participating in a volunteer initiative to bake muffins and cookies for the Calgary Kids through Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK)! To read more about Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, visit https://bb4ck.org/as-a-company/
Governance
Ethical Governance Practices
CornerStone upholds the highest standards of ethics and integrity, vehemently opposing corruption in all forms, including bribery, extortion, and embezzlement. With an eight-part policy outlining a zero-tolerance approach, CornerStone ensures compliance with anti-corruption laws, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act. Transparent transactions, avoidance of potentially influential gifts or entertainment, and due diligence in business relationships underscore our commitment to ethical conduct. CornerStone encourages reporting of corrupt activities through confidential mechanisms, safeguarding whistleblowers and providing regular training on corruption prevention and ethical decision-making. Investigations and enforcement, continuous improvement, and a commitment to transparency and integrity shape our anti-corruption initiatives. At CornerStone, we view corruption prevention as a legal obligation and a fundamental ethical principle, committing to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all business activities.
Regarding cybersecurity, CornerStone ensures all employees receive training on computer use policies and security practices, considering responsible computer use essential for maintaining a secure and productive work environment. Our commitment is to protect systems and data while fostering a culture of responsible digital citizenship.
ESG Data
| Social | |
| Report the following about your contributions to communities: | |
| Total employee volunteer hours in local communities | 5 |
| Report the number of workers’ rights violation incidents | 0 |
