LATHAM, N.Y., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Latham Group, Inc. [NASDAQ:SWIM],  the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, has published its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The report highlights the company’s substantial progress in a number of ESG areas, including refinement of its greenhouse gas emissions baseline, waste reduction, improved energy efficiency, improvements in employee retention and safety and continued enhancements to its robust governance framework.

We are proud to share the progress outlined in our 2023 ESG report, which reflects our commitments across the environmental, social and governance categories, said Scott Rajeski, President and CEO of Latham Pools. From building on our capability to measure greenhouse gas emissions and cutting waste in our production processes, to fostering a more inclusive and safer workplace, these achievements are a testament to the adoption of ESG into the Latham culture.

Environmental
On the environmental front, Latham measured its annual greenhouse gas emissions for FY23 to assess the year-over-year changes in its footprint and identify areas for further improvement. Further, Latham achieved a 50% reduction in waste from fiberglass pool production compared to 2022. The company recycled thousands of tons of materials, including scrap vinyl, galvanized steel and aluminum. The company also expanded the use of more energy-efficient LED lighting to nearly half of its fiberglass facilities. Additionally, innovative measures such as adopting acetone alternatives and extending the implementation of Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) technology to reduce emissions have further minimized Latham’s environmental impact.

Social
In the social sphere, Latham focused on its most valuable asset ” its people. Providing a safe work environment for employees remained an imperative as demonstrated by Latham’s continued capital investment in safety measures in its facilities and expanded safety training program. These initiatives produced meaningful results. The company saw a substantial reduction in safety incidents in 2023. In addition, by expanding employee assistance programs and enhancing mental health resources, the company strengthened its culture of care. Latham also achieved a 45% reduction in employee turnover since 2021, reflecting its commitment to creating a supportive and engaging work environment. Diversity and inclusion remained a key priority, with 20% of Latham’s U.S. workforce representing underrepresented minorities.

Governance
Governance excellence continued to be a cornerstone of Latham’s strategy. Latham updated its Code of Conduct and Human Rights Policy, making them publicly accessible for greater transparency and 100% of its employees completed ethics and compliance training. ESG oversight was strengthened through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (NCGC) of Latham’s Board of Directors, which regularly reviewed progress and provided guidance to management. Board diversity remained a priority, which helped to ensure a wide range of perspectives in decision-making. These initiatives reflect Latham’s dedication to fostering accountability, ethical practices and robust governance standards.

Our 2023 ESG Report tells a powerful story of progress, noted Rajeski. As a team, we look forward to continuing our journey of continuous improvement and remain committed to leading by example for the entire industry.

For more information about Latham, visit LathamPool.com.

About Latham, the Pool (NASDAQ:) Company
Headquartered in Latham, NY, Latham Group, Inc., is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With over 60 years of experience and a coast-to-coast operations platform across 24 locations, the company offers a broad range of pool products, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and automatic safety covers, all designed to provide homeowners with the highest quality and value. For more information, visit www.lathampool.com.

Contact: Abigail Cox or Paige Allbright
L.C. Williams & Associates
800/837-7123 or 312/565-3900
acox@lcwa.com or pallbright@lcwa.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4036fdcd-4288-4fd8-9939-e921edf9f881

Source: Latham Pool Products

By Daren Butler and Birsen Altayli

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Doctor Mehdi Davut smiles as he describes his planned return to his homeland Syria for the first time in eight years to see how his aid association can help in Aleppo, a major city seized by rebels last week.

“The liberation of Aleppo brought us such joy because Aleppo was a source of pain,” he told Reuters in Istanbul, where some half a million Syrians live.

Syrian rebels captured Aleppo from President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, bringing hopes of return among hundreds of thousands exiled from the city, which has been under Assad’s control since 2016. The rebels said on Thursday they had started a push further south into the city of Hama.

Hundreds of thousands have died in the Syrian war since it erupted out of a 2011 Arab Spring uprising against Assad’s rule. More than half the pre-war population of 23 million were forced from their homes, with millions fleeing abroad, including across the frontier to Turkey.

Many of those who settled learned Turkish, put their children in local schools and some acquired Turkish nationality, but they remained geographically close to their homeland, hoping they could someday return.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has said more than 40% of 3 million Syrians in Turkey are from Aleppo, once the country’s biggest city. But much of it was laid waste when Syrian forces backed by Russia and Iran besieged and took control of rebel-held areas eight years ago.

Davut, who runs an association helping Syrians in Turkey, was heading to Aleppo on Thursday to see what food and medical supplies are needed. But he was sceptical about the prospect of Syrians returning from Turkey any time soon.

“We are afraid of another attack,” he said, referring to military action by Assad-backed forces. “He will not give up that seat easily.”

“I think even those who want to return or those who think of returning will wait at least six months or a year,” he said.

SYRIANS TOLD TO WAIT

President Tayyip Erdogan had offered in July to meet Assad amid reconciliation efforts. He said at the time that 670,000 people had returned to Syria from Turkey and forecast another million would return.

But Yerlikaya advised caution. “Right now, to those (from Aleppo) who tell us ‘I want to go now’, we tell them to wait. Once the region is identified as safe, it will be announced,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

The situation in northwest Syria had stabilised since 2020 under a deal between NATO-member Turkey, which backs the political and armed opposition, and Russia, a key ally of Assad.

Ankara has said it gave no permission or support to the latest rebel operation but that Assad needed to reconcile with his people and the opposition. Moscow said it strongly backs efforts by Damascus to counter what it called terrorist groups receiving support from outside the country.

The head of Syria’s main opposition abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, told Reuters the rebel operation was meant in part to reopen Aleppo to those displaced on both sides of the border, including up to 600,000 from Turkey, if the city is stabilised.

The insurgents are a coalition of Turkey-backed mainstream secular armed groups but spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, an Islamist group that has been designated a terrorist outfit by Turkey, the United States, Russia and other states.

Despite fears of instability, the news from Aleppo stirred excitement in the health clinic run by Davut in Istanbul’s Fatih district, with staff handing out sweets to celebrate.

“God willing, we can go to Aleppo as we are far from our family and beloved,” said nurse Intisar Ashour, 50, who left the city a decade ago. “It’s a joy from deep inside our hearts and I pray to go back.”

She left Aleppo with her brothers and sisters when one brother was killed in a barrel bombing, she said.

Elsewhere in Fatih, Syrian shopkeeper Mahir, 60, said all those he spoke to were happy about the news from Aleppo and some were thinking of going back.

But he was uneasy about what lay ahead, after spending a year in jail in Damascus.

“We have spent 50 years under the Assad regime, father then son. It’s horrible. You cannot imagine how Syrians suffered,” he said. “I hope those who are fighting now succeed. They will create for the new generation a new life, a new country.”