Employability

PPR Innovation and Sustainable Development Awards

The winning projects of the 2nd edition of the Innovation & Sustainable Development Awards were revealed on the occasion of the PPR annual Shareholders General Meeting held last May 19. Chairman & CEO François-Henri Pinault handed out the prizes in person to the winning teams.

PPR Group’s 60,000 employees had until 15 March 2011 to submit an innovative team project focussed on sustainable development to a jury of experts*.  
This second edition of the PPR Innovation & Sustainability Awards proved to be an outstanding success, with 48 projects initiated by 140 staff members from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Hong-Kong, USA, Sweden or France, among others.
While the Jury expressed its high appreciation for all projects submitted, they recognised 4 projects as particularly attractive due to their innovative nature, their ability to respond to sustainability issues and their close relationship with the corporate business activities.

- The first prize was awarded to a PUMA team based at the company’s headquarters in Germany. On the occasion of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 which Puma is sponsoring, this project plans for extensive collecting of plastic waste along the Indian coastlines and for its reclamation via the creation of a plastic recycling business in India. Concurrently, to support the growth of the recycling business, Puma also plans to introduce a special collection of products made from these recycled plastics. The Puma team came on stage to pick up its award under roaring applause from the shareholders. The implementation of this project will be supported by a financial grant of €25,000 from PPR.

- The second prize was awarded to a project submitted by a Redcats USA team for an innovative and particularly clever idea: it involves designing a new apparel line made of fabric scraps left over from the manufacturing of OneStopPlus clothes, Redcats’ US brand. By giving a second life to fabric currently regarded as waste material, this project will help mitigate the brand’s environmental impact and increase the proportion of responsible products in the brand’s portfolio. A prize of €10,000 was granted to support the roll-out of the project.

- Another US team was awarded the 3rd prize, this time for a project submitted by Gucci staff members. A €5,000 grant rewarded this project blending technological innovation with sustainable development. Entitled “Sustainable Reality”, the project involves the development of a smartphone application based on augmented reality technology to communicate with consumers and deliver information about the sustainability of Gucci products and boutiques. For the brand, the smartphone application is a way to highlight its commitments while guiding its clientele on the path towards sustainable consumption

-Last but not least, the Jury’s Special Prize was awarded to another Puma team for a project intended to create an eco-designed high-tech shoe on the occasion of the Football World Cup 2014 in Brazil. The footwear will be manufactured in Brazil from local raw materials such as coconut fibre, cotton or natural rubber.

The Winners 2010
The official announcement of the winners of the 2nd edition of the PPR Innovation & Sustainable Development  Awards 2011 was also an opportunity to report on the progress of the projects rewarded last year. In May 2010, the first prize had been awarded to a Puma team for its project to build a positive-energy eco-designed store in India.  One year later, the store is now under construction and should be inaugurated in late 2011.
La Redoute France had won 2nd prize for a project to display the social and environmental performance of its Scenario line of household linen. The project is currently being rolled out, and was selected for its high quality by the French Ministry of the Environment in the context of a nation-wide environmental information trial programme under the Grenelle 2 Environment Act.
Lastly, Fnac Portugal had been rewarded with a 3rd Prize for its project involving the installation of Mini-Fnac entertainment corners in the paediatric wards of hospitals. The first “Mini-Fnac in Hospitals” opened at the São João hospital in Porto in early June 2011.

* The Innovation & Sustainable Development Awards jury comprises PPR internal experts and external personalities.

 
Photo credits: Stefan GLADIEU for PPR