Innovation and sustainability at GDI

Today more than ever, it is essential to turn our attention to clean technologies, both new and established, that have the capacity to meet the growing demand for energy and contribute to mitigating climate change, as well as the professional development of the protagonists of this transformation. Today, there is a shared commitment to leave the planet better than we found it. Sustainable Development in organizations is the engine of a sustainable future that must ensure social equity, ecology and the environment. Technological advances have allowed us to improve our quality of life. Beyond economic and social resources, technology allows us to achieve sustainable global development. ICT systems and tools enable improved energy efficiency and intelligent energy management. Therefore, most companies only look for efficient products supported by sustainable equipment. Among the most prominent technologies we find: What are the advantages of sustainable development? At GDI Uniforms we create optimal processes to always obtain a high quality result. We always strive to create innovative, high-performance fabrics and accelerate our processes thanks to the new technologies we implement. We are at the forefront of developments and innovations in the textile industry, which includes various factors such as production technologies; coloring techniques; denim, dyes and auxiliaries; finishing treatments; innovative and high-performance fabrics; always analyzing the changes in the textile and clothing industry, respecting environmental sustainability at all times. At GDI we are clear that new advances and technologies will drive a new type of industry where the main characteristics will be interconnection, which will be more collaborative and automated. Since 2019 we have had the Gerber Technology Atria cutter, the most modern and efficient fabric cutter in the world. This cutter is unique in its class, as it incorporates an integrated IoT technology solution that guarantees precision, optimizes productivity, and increases material utilization when cutting fabric. This cutter, in addition to increasing our production capabilities, incorporates innovation into our organization with its comprehensive solution that ranges from design, pattern creation, mark generation and production planning, thus achieving a reduction in material costs of up to 30%, minimizing our environmental impact. Investing in innovation and sustainability brings us many advances, because in addition to improving the ecosystem it allows us to gain competitiveness and thus increase profitability. We are proud to say that we are the only uniform company in the region that has this type of state-of-the-art technology. At GDI we are convinced that by implementing these types of actions the world will be more inclusive and sustainable, improving the quality of life for all people.

GDI Uniforms joins the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.

The US The Cotton Trust Protocol sets a standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It provides quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements about the production of responsibly grown cotton and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics. US cotton UU. has focused on sustainability for decades. According to Field to Market data, over the past 35 years cotton has increased land use efficiency by 31% while reducing soil loss by 44%, water consumption by 82%, energy expenditure by 38%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. Although cotton has told its sustainability story and highlighted its decreasing environmental impact, more and more brands and department stores are demanding industry-wide standards and independent verifications. To address this growing concern, the U.S. cotton industry UU. structured and created the US The Cotton Trust Protocol defines new standards for sustainably grown cotton and the continuous improvement of that sustainability, which will be measured and verified by a third party. The cotton industry of the US UU. It invests more than $100 million annually in scientific research to continue developing the most advanced tools needed to reduce its environmental footprint. These technologies help producers save money while protecting and even improving the environment. The goal of the Trust Protocol is to help brands and department stores communicate this progress to end consumers. The Trust Protocol has a four-step process: The standards are about defining sustainability goals for the cotton industry. By 2025, the North American cotton industry aims to increase land use efficiency by 13% and soil carbon by 20%, while simultaneously reducing soil loss by 50%, water consumption by 18%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 39%. The measurement includes the voluntary affiliation of US cotton producers. UU. to measure and keep track of its environmental impact. The purpose of the U.S. cotton industry UU. It is to affiliate half of the cotton producers by 2025. Verification will involve the participation of internationally recognized external verification organizations to monitor progress towards the goals. Finally, the USCTP will be the only cotton sustainability organization able to provide annual, quantifiable, and verifiable information to track sustainability progress. Therefore, the Trust Protocol supports and verifies the progress of US cotton, through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton gives brands and retailers the fundamental assurances they need that the cotton fiber element in their supply chain is grown more sustainably with less environmental and social risk. Finally, the US The Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society, and independent sustainability experts. As well as by the cotton farming industry, including producers, ginners, traders, wholesalers and cooperatives, factories and cotton seed managers. At GDI Uniforms we are very pleased to join the US Cotton Trust Protocol. Through this effort we guarantee that the cotton used in our products comes from a sustainable supply chain. In addition to complying with environmental, labor, safety and health regulations in US cotton farming.

The Importance of Renewable Energies

Renewable energies are also known as alternative energies or green energies, and they are energy sources based on the use of natural resources: the sun, wind, water, or plant or animal biomass. They are characterized by not using fossil fuels, but rather natural resources capable of unlimited renewal. One of their strengths is their very low environmental impact, since in addition to not using finite resources, they do not generate pollutants. Producing more and more renewable energy and abandoning conventional sources is a necessity shared by all countries of the world. What are renewable energies? Below we mention the main renewable energy sources that exist today: What characteristics do renewable energies have? These energies possess various characteristics; we will mention some of them: The use of renewable energies contributes to homes becoming much more self-sufficient in their electricity consumption. In the not-too-distant future, all newly constructed buildings will have to have their own solar panels; self-consumption of electricity is much easier to achieve than we imagine. Renewable energies come from freely accessible natural resources. By generating energy from natural sources, they can be found anywhere in the world; therefore, any corner of the world can generate its own energy and be self-sufficient. Advantages of renewable energies Compared to conventional energy sources, we can list the following aspects as the main benefits of renewable energies:

An idea that could revolutionize businesses

Over time, companies have embraced the idea that resources should not be used faster than they are replenished and that waste generation should not be excessive. Sustainable innovation is driven by concern for resources and the environment. Sustainable innovation changes our perspective on how we use the Earth's natural resources. With climate change, sustainable innovation becomes, in itself, a reason to support it. Reasons to support sustainable innovation: The Earth demands a change in our consumption and production habits. Sustainable innovation faces the challenge of changing the status quo and creating entirely new business models. Innovation requires collaboration, especially when it comes to sustainable innovation. Meeting standards and finding new ideas will require multidisciplinary teams. Best of all, when developing a sustainable solution, people will seek to unite because sustainability creates a noble and necessary purpose for the world. Consumers are increasingly demanding that companies develop their products and services sustainably. The Business of the Future: A company or venture can benefit in many ways, including: Phases to Achieving Innovation. The first step to becoming a sustainable entrepreneur is complying with your country's and industry-specific environmental regulations. Following these regulations will require changes. Environmental issues are becoming part of a global and business challenge. Addressing these issues will bring multiple benefits to your business. Consumers prefer eco-friendly products and services, and you can capitalize on this trend by being among the first to develop or redesign your product. Creating a new business model goes beyond simply revising your value proposition. An ingenious business model will provide new ways to capture revenue and deliver related services. At GDI, we have explored ways to redesign our products to be more environmentally friendly and incorporate recycled materials. We have also strived to comply with legal regulations to become a sustainable company, implementing various strategies to improve and protect the environment. We want to innovate to improve our service and serve as an example for other companies. 

The power of buying

Also known as green purchasing, the term sustainable purchasing refers to the policy of considering social and environmental factors when selecting a supplier, looking beyond price. In this type of acquisition, materials must meet the needs of the company. It is worth noting that consumers are increasingly choosing companies that prioritize social and environmental responsibility. And in times of technological advancements and social media, they closely monitor companies, even using the internet to express their dissatisfaction with organizational actions they consider unethical, which can negatively affect brand image. BARRIERS AND ADVANTAGES OF SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING It is undeniable that barriers exist to the adoption of sustainable purchasing practices in companies, but these should not be considered an impediment to making these types of purchases and generating advantages for the purchasing company and society in general. Below, we will mention the main obstacles that must be overcome and show how this concept benefits organizations. Barriers to Sustainable Purchasing The main difficulties in implementing a sustainable program are: To overcome these obstacles, the purchasing team must gather information demonstrating the benefits of sustainable procurement for the organization. They must also have a wide range of suppliers who effectively meet the requirements of a sustainable process and uphold the highest standards. Advantages of Sustainable Purchasing Companies worldwide are already investing in the development of sustainable procurement. Beyond the ethical considerations, the benefits drive this choice: Implementing the concept of sustainable procurement requires a strong commitment from procurement professionals. Therefore, at GDI, we seek suppliers with sustainable characteristics so that we can manufacture quality products without harming the planet. We strive to make our garments environmentally friendly, so we seek materials like cotton and linen, working with suppliers who are committed to environmental stewardship. And thanks to that, GDI joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. At GDI, we also produce sustainable uniforms with materials containing a certain percentage of PET, as well as eco-friendly face masks that reduce the use of disposable masks. At GDI, we are convinced that by implementing these kinds of actions, the world will be more inclusive, improving the quality of life for everyone.