Cornerstone Building Brands 2024 ESG Report Highlights Progress
Cornerstone Building Brands, one of North America’s leading exterior building solutions manufacturers, has officially released its 2024 Corporate Governance and Responsibility Report (CGR). The comprehensive report underscores the company’s continued progress in areas central to its mission: responsible governance, workplace safety, community impact, sustainability, and product innovation.
The report is not just a summary of initiatives but a reflection of the company’s strategic vision for shaping a more sustainable, ethical, and community-driven building products industry. It reinforces Cornerstone Building Brands’ role as a trusted partner for customers, suppliers, and employees, while also highlighting measurable outcomes achieved over the past year.
John Krenicki, Chairman of the Board of Directors, framed the importance of the report in the company’s broader mission:
“Our progress reflects a firm commitment to corporate responsibility and our goal to be a trusted partner to our customers, suppliers, and team members. We are building a better tomorrow for our team members, business partners, and communities by prioritizing safety, fostering caring communities, and upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity.”
Commitment to Safety
At the heart of Cornerstone Building Brands’ corporate culture is the belief that safety is non-negotiable. The company places immense value on creating a workplace environment where employees not only feel secure but are also equipped with the training and resources needed to reduce risks.
The 2024 report outlines several targeted initiatives that drove year-over-year improvements in safety metrics. Among these:
- Hand Safety Awareness Campaign – Focused on reducing hand-related injuries, one of the most common hazards in industrial and manufacturing environments. The campaign promoted safe handling techniques, training modules, and reinforced protective gear usage.
- Machine Guarding and Ergonomics Improvements – Through continuous improvement events, the company addressed physical risks associated with machine operation and repetitive tasks. These events led to better safeguards, improved workstation ergonomics, and reduced operator fatigue.
- Enterprise-Wide PPE Standardization – By unifying personal protective equipment (PPE) standards across all sites, the company eliminated inconsistencies in employee protection. This measure ensured that every worker, regardless of facility location, has access to the highest safety standards.
- Walks and Talks Program – A proactive safety engagement strategy where company leaders spend time on-site, observing employee behaviors, discussing best practices, and providing real-time feedback. This initiative reinforces a culture of accountability and empowers employees to prioritize safety daily.
Through these efforts, Cornerstone Building Brands continues to strengthen its Safety-First culture, building trust within its workforce and setting benchmarks for the construction products industry.
Advancing Sustainability Goals
Sustainability has become a defining pillar of corporate responsibility, and for Cornerstone Building Brands, it is woven directly into its operations and product development. The 2024 report details how the company is actively reducing environmental impacts, conserving resources, and offering eco-friendly building solutions to customers.
Key sustainability achievements include:
- Waste Diversion: The company achieved a 75.5% diversion of total waste from landfills, a milestone that reflects its ongoing commitment to minimizing environmental footprint. By implementing recycling, reuse, and process efficiency measures, the company significantly reduced landfill contributions across its operations.
- Recycling Leadership: Cornerstone Building Brands contributed to the 3.8 million pounds of recycled vinyl materials reclaimed by the Vinyl Institute since 2016. This initiative supports the circular economy by extending the lifecycle of vinyl materials and reducing the demand for virgin resources.
- Transportation Efficiency: The company’s transportation operations outperformed the industry average fuel efficiency rate by 17%, cutting emissions while also lowering costs. This efficiency gain highlights the company’s ability to align operational effectiveness with sustainability.
- Energy-Efficient Products: Cornerstone Building Brands’ product portfolio includes ENERGY STAR®-rated vinyl windows, recyclable metal roofing, and advanced wall systems. These products not only enhance building performance but also empower customers to reduce energy consumption and utility costs.
Through these initiatives, the company demonstrates that sustainability is not just a responsibility but a growth opportunity, driving innovation while aligning with customer demand for eco-conscious solutions.
Community Impact and the Home for Good Project
Cornerstone Building Brands has long recognized that its role extends beyond business operations to the communities where it operates. The company’s community-focused initiatives remain a vital part of its corporate identity, reflecting a dedication to creating positive social impact.
In 2024, the company continued to expand its Home for Good project, a program launched in 2016 to improve access to affordable housing. Since inception, the initiative has contributed $4.1 million in products and cash donations, resulting in the construction of 825 homes across more than 150 U.S. communities.
These contributions provide families with safe, stable housing while also strengthening communities nationwide. Employees have also played an active role by volunteering time and expertise, helping to create meaningful connections between the company’s workforce and local neighborhoods.
This ongoing effort underscores the company’s belief that building stronger communities is inseparable from building a stronger business.
Driving Innovation for Growth
As the building industry evolves, innovation remains central to Cornerstone Building Brands’ competitive strategy. The 2024 report highlights the company’s efforts to accelerate innovation in products, processes, and partnerships.
Key innovation initiatives include:
- Drive to Premier Program: Designed to strengthen supplier relationships, this program uses scorecard-based evaluations to measure performance and encourage collaboration. It ensures suppliers meet high standards of quality and efficiency, ultimately benefiting customers with superior products.
- Enterprise-Wide Innovation Council: A cross-functional group tasked with generating ideas, prioritizing projects, and improving execution. The council uses a stage-gate product development process to streamline decision-making, reduce wasted resources, and accelerate time-to-market.
- Focus on Affordability and Sustainability: The company is aligning innovation with customer needs, developing products that balance affordability, durability, and eco-efficiency. From recyclable building systems to advanced energy-efficient solutions, innovation is directly tied to environmental and social responsibility.
By embedding innovation across its operations, Cornerstone Building Brands strengthens its ability to adapt to market changes, deliver long-term value, and maintain leadership in the building solutions sector.
Building a Better Tomorrow
Reflecting on the progress outlined in the 2024 report, John Krenicki emphasized the company’s broader mission:
“As we deliver quality, industry-leading products and solutions to our customers, we fulfill our broader purpose of positively contributing to the communities where we live, work and play — now and for future generations. Fulfilling this purpose not only strengthens our position as an industry leader but also enhances our ability to attract and retain top talent, driving long-term growth and value for our customers.”
This outlook captures the essence of Cornerstone Building Brands’ approach: a commitment to continuous improvement, sustainable progress, and ethical governance. By aligning its corporate responsibility efforts with its business strategy, the company is charting a path that balances growth with accountability.
