Fortune Magazine has recognized Schneider Electric in its Fortune 2016 Change the World List.
Schneider Electric made it to number 24 on the list, which highlights companies that have had a positive social impact through various activities that are part of their core business strategy. The process begins with a call for nominations from business, academic, and nonprofit groups. From there Fortune writers and editors evaluate and rank the companies based on measurable social impact, business results, and degree of innovation.
The magazine recognizes Schneider Electric’s work overseas in Africa relaying energy facts in Kenya. Approximately 1.2 billion people – slightly fewer than one in five – do not have access to electricity, according to a report put out last year by the International Energy Agency. In Kenya however, more than three-quarters of the population lacks even basic electricity, a problem that stretches to the nation’s schools.
Why @Fortune named @SchneiderNA as a company that is changing the world https://t.co/EEONmedUf9 pic.twitter.com/1sOYe2apOt
— Schneider Careers (@SE_Careers) August 29, 2016
Last year, Schneider Electric designed an off-grid solar backup solution to turn on the lights at 128 Kenyan schools. This was made possible by the company’s “Access to Energy” program.
This same program has trained 113,000 people in Africa, Asia and South America about energy management with many of them being disadvantaged youths. The initiative teaches everything from basic courses for electricians to advanced work in industrial maintenance. Read more at Schneider Electric.
This also comes as Schneider Electric will be relocating a major regional office to Franklin, Tennessee where it will continue to serve its national customers. Schneider Electric is moving its existing Middle Tennessee operations in Davidson and Rutherford counties to Williamson county. This decision will relocate about 900 employees and create 250 jobs in the area.
Schneider Electric’s move to Franklin will relocate 900 employees, add 250 new jobs https://t.co/fsI8YlMNKT
— Williamson Herald (@wherald) July 15, 2016
The facility in Franklin will be the company’s largest office in the country. Schneider Electric’s regional office will be located at Two Franklin Park in a 150,000 square foot space, which is slated to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2017. The workforce will be made up of engineering, sales, research and development and corporate functions for national and global business units. Read more about the relocation and expansion here.