Walmart announces new initiative

Walmart and PepsiCo last week announced that they will collaborate to invest $120 million to support U.S. and Canadian farmers in improving soil health and water quality over a seven-year period.

The funding will go toward establishing and scaling financial, agronomic and social programs. The goal is to “enable and accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices” on more than 2 million acres in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“This collaboration with PepsiCo is a great example of how we are prioritizing the expansion of regenerative agricultural practices among farmers across North America so that we can continue to make quality products affordable and accessible for customers,” said Walmart senior vice president for sustainability Jane Ewing in a press release. “This collaboration aims to help elevate farmer livelihoods, engage them on how to more sustainably manage soil health, increase yields and create a model that others can mimic ...”

Ribbon cutting set

Jay County Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 8 for MeridianMD.

The ribbon cutting will be part of an open house that will run from 1 to 3 p.m. at the new facility at 406 W. Votaw St., Portland. Meridian MD will provide services including routine medical care, physicals, vaccinations and treatment of chronic medical conditions.

Facility open

Indiana University Health has opened its new pharmacy hub and distribution center in Plainfield.

The 70,000-square-foot facility is targeted at reducing costs of pharmaceuticals to patients by centralizing and standardizing its supply chain.

“We knew we were seeing soaring pharmaceutical costs, and we know there has been a shortage of pharmaceutical drugs,” IU Health vice president and chief pharmacy officer told Inside Indiana Business. “And we knew it was a problem that wasn’t going away anytime soon.”

Investment increases

Renewable energy firm Invenergy recently closed a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility to support its projects.

The financing is an increase over the company’s existing $600 million in working capital. The closing follows an announcement in June that Blackstone Infrastructure Partners invested about $1 billion for Invenergy’s projects.

“This financing firmly advances our ability to execute on an industry-leading project portfolio at a time of historic growth for Invenergy,” said Meghan Schultz, Invenergy executive vice president & chief financial officer, in a press release. “We thank our lender teams for their excellent service, continued confidence, and shared commitment to building a more sustainable world.”

Invenergy is developing Skycrest Solar in northwest Jay County.

Initiative launches

Ardagh Glass Packaging – South Africa recently announced the money4glass initiative.

The effort has a goal of improving effectiveness within the company’s supply chain for recycled glass. It provides incentives to recyclers to provide glass to the company in South Africa.

“This technology will enable us to identify traders, better understand the footprint of cullet recycling activity in the country and monitor the volumes of cullet traded in the different regions,” said Thomas Shaw, supply chain executive for Ardgah. “Importantly, it will also allow us to make glass recycling financially viable across the width and breadth of the country through the application of targeted incentives and to ensure that payments and incentives can quickly and efficiently reach all recyclers, but particularly the informal recyclers who are at the start of the recycling process.”

Ardagh operates glass manufacturing facilities in Winchester and Dunkirk.

CEO to retire

O’Reilly Automotive’s board of directors has selected Brad Beckham to become its new CEO in early 2024.

Beckham is currently the company’s co-president along with Brent Kirby. He will take over for Greg Johnson, who will retire as O’Reilly’s CEO effective Jan. 31. (Kirby will be promoted to president.)

“Greg has been a champion for O’Reilly’s promote from within philosophy and our dedication to long-term succession planning, and he has done an exemplary job preparing both Brad Beckham and Brent Kirby for their new roles,” said O’Reilly board executive chairman Greg Henslee. “Brad shares Greg’s passion for O’Reilly. He is a highly respected member of our executive team whose considerable experience and significant industry knowledge make him exceptionally qualified to succeed Greg as CEO.

Accepting nominations

Indiana Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2023 Jackson Lewis Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award.

The award honors organizations that are making strides toward becoming more equitable workplaces. Nominees are evaluated on developing, promoting and executing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“Lifting up underrepresented groups and seeing them thrive in the modern economy benefits not only those individuals but makes Indiana a better place, which is why this is such an important thing to do,” said chamber president and CEO Kevin Brinegar in a press release. “We want to see how Hoosier organizations across the state have used DEI to make a positive difference in their workplace – and beyond.”

Nominations for the award can be submitted online at indianachamber.com/deiaward. The deadline is Aug. 21.

Awards earned

Muncie marketing and branding firm Intersection recently earned six Hermes Creative Awards in addition to three honorable mentions from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.

Intersection earned platinum awards for its work on the Ball Brothers Foundation annual report and the Agape “Beyond the Barn” campaign book. It also won four gold awards.

The awards recognize “outstanding creative work within the advertising and marketing industry.”

Forte is first

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics of Carmel recently became first in the state to use the Stryker Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software for navigation and guidance in surgery.

The system is designed to produce real-time, 3D models of a patient’s spine to allow surgeons to perform with greater precision and efficiency. Dr. Stephen Ritter was the first to utilize the system at Forte.

“Spinal surgeries performed using Stryker’s technology have the potential to be safer, faster and less invasive than other procedures,” said Ritter in a press release. “Our patients can recover more quickly with fewer complications and less prolonged pain, reducing the need for pain medication and shortening hospital stays. In my experience, patients are often up and walking within 24 hours of surgery.”

Brand expanding

Dollar General has announced that it is expanding is brand Clover Valley to include more than 100 new items.

The new offerings from Clover Valley will include sauces, condiments, entrees, sides and snacks. The brand currently offers about 600 items.

“We have made significant enhancements to our private brands in 2023, and we know how important these value offerings are for our customers,” said Emily Taylor, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Dollar General, in a press release. “We believe these products will further differentiate Dollar General in the marketplace as we look to provide our customers with tremendous value on quality products.”