Company: Advanced Drainage Systems
Nomination Submitted by: Paul Werth Associates
Company Description: ADS, is a leading provider of innovative water management solutions in the stormwater and on-site septic wastewater industries and the largest plastic recycler in North America, ensuring over half a billion pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Materials & Construction - Large
 Nomination Title: Advanced Drainage Systems
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 185 words used.
Advanced Drainage Systems’ purpose – and promise – is to protect and manage water, our most precious resource. ADS does this through the engineering and manufacturing of products geared to the entire lifecycle of a raindrop, from capture and convey, to store and treat. Located in Hilliard, Ohio, ADS has grown into a worldwide company managing stormwater for commercial, residential, agricultural and infrastructure uses with about 70 manufacturing plants and 37 distribution centers. Now a public company with annual sales of more than $2 billion, ADS employs more than 5,000 associates globally.
While water management is its purpose, ADS also protects the environment as North America’s largest plastics recycler, keeping more than 600 million pounds of plastic out of landfills each year. In fact, more than 60% of pipe revenue is derived from re-manufactured products. To accomplish this, ADS relies on its long history of innovation in materials science. ADS was the first to create pipes from corrugated plastic, and its plastic pipes today can last up to 100 years. More than 10 billion feet of ADS pipe are in place around the world.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 244 words used.
In 2021 and 2022, ADS continued to mark successes in both sustainability efforts and financial growth. For example, ADS:
- Launched the ADS Foundation in 2020 to foster community partnerships. One example of its early impact, the company finalized plans in late 2022 to award $500,000 to the Nature Conservancy over three years to help water conservation efforts in California, Florida, North Carolina and Texas.
- Continued its funding support of the Recycling Partnership, whose goal is to increase equitable access to recycling nationwide while advancing education and awareness of sustainability in business.
- Increased its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. For example, in Fiscal 2022, 55% of Director level hires and promotions were diverse candidates.
- Continued to develop a supplier sustainability program and a supplier code of conduct, the latter of which is being implemented throughout Fiscal 2023.
- Announced a $65 million investment to build a new engineering and technology center that will be the most advanced stormwater engineering center in the world dedicated to product engineering, material science –– including recycled plastics –– and manufacturing technologies.
- Acquired Jet Polymers in Fiscal 2022, which helped ADS recycle 600 million pounds of plastics in Fiscal 2022.
These efforts are paying off. Despite a challenging demand environment and a near doubling of interest rates in 2022, ADS sales revenue reached nearly $2.8 billion in Fiscal 2022, up almost 40% on the year. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased 19.2% through Q4 2022 to $676 million.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 239 words used.
ADS stands alone within the water management industry. The company is both the global leader in production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and North America’s largest recycler of HDPE. The plastic, which is widely used in the manufacturing of containers such as milk jugs, shampoo bottles and bleach containers, too often is thrown away. By recycling HDPE, ADS gives these single-use products an extended life of up to 100 years, contributing to a circular economy and keeping hundreds of millions of pounds of plastics out of landfills each year. In fact, more than 50% of material used in ADS products are recycled plastic.
Additionally, ADS is a leader in the sciences that have led to its achievements. From vortex hydrodynamic separators that protect receiving waters by removing suspended solids, to mobile apps that help agricultural planners calculate drainage volume and pipe, and even research that studies the efficacy of drainage products for specific markets, ADS is always developing innovative products and solutions that advance the world's water infrastructure.
In September 2022, the company announced a $65 million investment to build a new engineering and technology center that will be the most advanced stormwater engineering center in the world dedicated to product engineering, material science and manufacturing technologies. Meanwhile, ADS delivers tremendous service to its customers with the industry’s largest company-owned fleet, an expansive sales team, and a vast manufacturing network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 37 distribution centers.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 53 words used.
Some links have been placed throughout this nomination. The following may also have special importance to this nomination:
https://www.adspipe.com/
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advanced-drainage-systems-releases-fiscal-year-2022-sustainability-report-301596551.html
https://investors.ads-pipe.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/Advanced-Drainage-Systems-Announces-Third-Quarter-Fiscal-2023-Results/default.aspx
https://www.adspipe.com/the-ripple-effect/growth-innovation/ads-announces-65-million-expansion-in-hilliard-ohio
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ads-foundation-donates-to-the-florida-disaster-fund-in-support-of-hurricane-ian-and-hurricane-nicole-recovery-in-the-state-301681518.html
https://news.osu.edu/ohio-state-advanced-drainage-systems-collaborate-on-sustainable-water-management/
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/hilliard/2022/01/20/plastics-produce-underground-success-advanced-drainage-systems-hilliard/6576485001/
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211206005087/en/Advanced-Drainage-Systems-Announces-Acquisition-of-Jet-Polymer-Recycling
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