Ecologically Sound Business: Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. And the Environmental Defense Fund
When Henry Kravis and his business partner George Roberts founded Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) in 1976 with the assistance of the First Chicago Corporation, the firm’s main business was in “bootstrap” buyouts. But moving on, in a drive to make the companies they purchase greener and more profitable to boot, they have established a unique green project that has totally transformed the method by which business concerns and environmental activists carry on their day-to-day business.
Environmentally aware business processes became a hot topic last year when Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co’s Henry Kravis and the independent Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged. Their corporate mission is to encourage their associated businesses in avoiding environmental menaces such as hazardous chemicals as well as unsustainable water consumption.
In order to achieve this, they apply eco-efficiency which makes use of techniques such as recycling programs, fuel economy, and improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance. Even though the project was a tremendous success, no-one understood how fantastic the effects were until Ken Mehlman, the head of the project and global public affairs, carried out the first annual review. Ken noticed that the project was not solely helping to maintain the environment, but additionally it was saving a large range of companies a significant sum of money. These days, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman have succeeded in getting virtually each and every business in their portfolio involved in eco-efficiency techniques. When you consider that this portfolio of companies has a net worth of 86 billion dollars, you can be sure that this was not a simple accomplishment. The original program has developed beyond its original remit and at present includes new and innovative initiatives. To illustrate, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co linked up with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program a venture that instructs interns taking a Master’s in Business Administration how to promote cost-efficient, green techniques.
KKR and Ken Mehlman have been formulating metrics and analytic tools which quantify and manage resources. This type of info is invaluable as companies may easily evaluate all of their daily activities and ascertain where any issues may be resolved while simultaneously permitting them to view how much they have progressed. Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are genuine pioneers in the business world. Their innovations have simplified the procedure for companies in any industry and proved that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.
