Global freight forwarder recommits to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2035

ITASCA, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Supply chain solutions leader AIT Worldwide Logistics reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the environment as a signatory of The Climate Pledge. Co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism, The Climate Pledge is a commitment signed by nearly 400 companies across 34 countries to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. AIT aims to meet this goal even faster, by 2035.

“AIT is proud to reinforce our commitment to sustainability and join a community that will share knowledge, ideas, and best practices to combat climate change,” said AIT Executive Vice President and CIO, Ray Fennelly. “As a signatory of The Climate Pledge, we look forward to taking collective action to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, five years ahead of the pledge’s 2040 target. This goal not only aligns with our core values but will also create a better planet for our teammates, customers, partners, and the communities where we live and work—for generations to come.”

As a signatory to The Climate Pledge, AIT agrees to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis, implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies. The company also agrees to neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions.

AIT developed its own environmental sustainability initiatives in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, with an aim to support sustainable consumption and production and to combat climate change and its impacts. To achieve these goals, AIT plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions status by 2035, through both emission reduction practices and carbon offset purchases.

Internally, AIT teammates also oversee emissions, waste, and energy management processes and programs, including a companywide commitment to recycling and paper reduction. Additionally, AIT uses its transportation management system to track and measure carbon dioxide emissions down to the shipment level.

To download AIT’s sustainability report and learn more about AIT’s sustainability initiatives, visit aitworldwide.com/corporate-social-responsibility.

Learn more about The Climate Pledge at theclimatepledge.com.

About AIT Worldwide Logistics

AIT Worldwide Logistics is a global freight forwarder that helps companies grow by expanding access to markets all over the world where they can sell and/or procure their raw materials, components and finished goods. For more than 40 years, the Chicago-based supply chain solutions leader has relied on a consultative approach to build a global network and trusted partnerships in nearly every industry, including aerospace, automotive, consumer retail, food, government, healthcare, high-tech, industrial and life sciences. Backed by scalable, user-friendly technology, AIT’s flexible business model customizes door-to-door deliveries via sea, air, ground and rail — on time and on budget. With expert teammates staffing more than 100 worldwide locations in Asia, Europe and North America, AIT’s full-service options also include customs clearance, warehouse management and white glove services. Learn more at www.aitworldwide.com.

Our Mission

At AIT, we vigorously seek opportunities to earn our customers’ trust by delivering exceptional worldwide logistics solutions while passionately valuing our co-workers, partners and communities.

Contacts

Matt Sanders

Public Relations Manager

+1 (630) 766-8300

msanders@aitworldwide.com

800-669-4AIT (4248)

www.aitworldwide.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (the “REIT”) (TSX: INO.UN) today announced the closing of the disposition of the Courbevoie property located in the La Defence area of Paris for €27.2 million (CAD $39.4 million), €6.4 million (CAD $9.3 million) above the Q3 2022 €20.8 million (CAD $30.1 million) fair market value. The €17.2 million (CAD $24.9 million) net proceeds from the sale are slated for redeployment into other investment opportunities.

President Stephane Amine commented “Today’s closing marks the achievement of another of the REIT’s 2022 strategic initiatives and frees up capital to deploy next year. We believe 2023 will be a year of transition where capital will be key to secure opportunities. The continued demand for space in office properties in France and Germany still form an enduring foundation for European office real estate investment.”

All amounts have been converted to Canadian dollars (CAD $) using an exchange rate of 1.4485 CAD $ per €.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and since forward-looking information inherently involves risks and uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on such information.

Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth in this document as well as the following:

1. the ability to continue to receive financing on acceptable terms;
2. the future level of indebtedness and the REIT’s future growth potential will remain consistent with current expectations;
3. the success of the asset recycling program;
4. there will be no changes to tax laws adversely affecting the REIT’s financing capability, operations, activities, structure, or distributions;
5. the REIT will retain and continue to attract qualified and knowledgeable personnel as the portfolio and business grow;
6. the impact of the current economic climate and the current global financial conditions on operations, including the REIT’s financing capability and asset value, will remain consistent with current expectations;
7. there will be no material changes to government and environmental regulations that could adversely affect operations;
8. conditions in the international and, in particular, the French, German, Spanish and other European real estate markets, including competition for acquisitions, will be consistent with past conditions;
9. capital markets will provide the REIT with readily available access to equity and/or debt financing; and
10. the impact the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflict in the Ukraine and Russia will have on the REIT’s operations, the demand for the REIT’s properties and global supply chains and economic activity in general.

The REIT cautions that this list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements.

When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not, or the times at or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

• the REIT’s ability to execute its growth and capital deployment strategies;
• the REIT’s ability to execute its asset recycling program;
• the impact of changing conditions in the European office market;
• the marketability and value of the REIT’s portfolio;
• changes in the attitudes, financial condition and demand in the REIT’s demographic markets;
• fluctuation in interest rates and volatility in financial markets;
• the duration and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government interventions as well as the geopolitical conflict in the Ukraine and Russia on the REIT’s business, operations and financial results;
• general economic conditions, including any continuation or intensification of the current economic downturn;
• developments and changes in applicable laws and regulations; and
• such other factors discussed under ‘‘Risk Factors and Uncertainties’’ in the REIT’s Annual Information Form.

If any risks or uncertainties with respect to the above materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Certain statements included in this press release may be considered a ‘‘financial outlook’’ for purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws, and as such, the financial outlook may not be appropriate for purposes other than this press release. All forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to the REIT and are made as of the date of this press release. Except as expressly required by applicable Canadian securities law, the REIT assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

About Inovalis REIT

Inovalis REIT is a real estate investment trust listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada. It was founded in 2013 by Inovalis and invests in office properties in primary markets of France, Germany and Spain. It holds 14 assets representing 470 million Euros of AuM. Inovalis REIT acquires (indirectly) real estate properties via CanCorpEurope, authorized Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) by the CSSF in Luxemburg, and managed by Inovalis S.A.

About Inovalis Group

Inovalis S.A. is a French Alternative Investment fund manager, authorized by the French Securities and Markets Authority (AMF) under AIFM laws. Inovalis S.A. and its subsidiaries (Advenis S.A., Advenis REIM) invest in and manage Real Estate Investment Trusts such as Inovalis REIT, open ended funds (SCPI) with stable real estate focus such as Eurovalys (for Germany) and Elialys (Southern Europe), Private Thematic Funds raised with Inovalis partners to invest in defined real estate strategies and direct Co-investments on specific assets.

Inovalis Group (www.inovalis.com), founded in 1998 by Inovalis SA, is an established pan European real estate investment player with EUR 7 billion of AuM and with offices in all the world’s major financial and economic centers in Paris, Luxembourg, Madrid, Frankfurt, Toronto and Dubai. The group is comprised of 300 professionals, providing Advisory, Fund, Asset and Property Management services in Real Estate as well as Wealth Management services.

Contacts

David Giraud, Chief Executive Officer
Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust

Tel: +33 1 5643 3323

david.giraud@inovalis.com

Khalil Hankach, Chief Financial Officer
Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust

Tel: +33 1 5643 3313

khalil.hankach@inovalis.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (“Granite”) (TSX: GRT.UN / NYSE: GRP.U) expects to announce its financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2022 after the close of markets on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Granite will hold a conference call on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (ET). The toll-free number to use for this call is 1 (800) 754-1366. For international callers, please call 1 (416) 981-9004. Please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the call. The conference call will be chaired by Kevan Gorrie, President and Chief Executive Officer.

To hear a replay of the scheduled call, please dial 1 (800) 558-5253 (North America) or 1 (416) 626-4100 (international) and enter reservation number 22025151. The replay will be available until Monday, March 20, 2023.

ABOUT GRANITE

Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of logistics, warehouse and industrial properties in North America and Europe. Granite owns 141 investment properties representing approximately 58.8 million square feet of leasable area.

OTHER INFORMATION

Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents about Granite are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at www.sec.gov. For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Teresa Neto, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7560 or Andrea Sanelli, Associate Director, Legal & Investor Services, at 647-925-7504.

Contacts

Teresa Neto

Chief Financial Officer

647-925-7560

Andrea Sanelli

Associate Director, Legal & Investor Services

647-925-7504

LADERA RANCH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. (“SSGT III”), a private company that intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”), announced today the acquisition of an approximately 1,000-unit self storage facility in Chula Vista, California. The Chula Vista location is the third acquisition for SSGT III since it launched in May 2022.

“The acquisition of this brand new, Class A property located in a densely populated area with dated product brings strong value to the SSGT III portfolio and is expected to positively impact stockholders,” said Wayne Johnson, Chief Investment Officer of SSGT III. “We look forward to leveraging the SmartStop brand and our local experience in the greater San Diego market.”

Located at 970 Industrial Blvd., the facility consists of one three-story building and two single-story buildings with approximately 110,000 square feet of rentable space. The unit mix includes interior climate-controlled units and large exterior non-climate-controlled drive-up units. The property has excellent visibility along heavily trafficked Interstate 5 and is well-positioned to serve the neighborhoods of Castle Park, Harbor Side, Sunny Vista and Lynwood Hills.

About Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. (SSGT III):

SSGT III is a Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. SSGT III’s primary investment strategy is to invest in growth-oriented self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments in the Unites States and Canada. As of December 21, 2022, SSGT III has a portfolio of three operating properties in the United States comprising approximately 2,900 units and 340,000 rentable square feet.

About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop):

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”) is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of approximately 450 self storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self storage programs. As of December 21, 2022, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of 179 operating properties in 22 states and Ontario, Canada, comprising approximately 124,800 units and 14.2 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 22 operating self storage properties in the Greater Toronto Area, which total approximately 19,800 units and 1.9 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at www.smartstopselfstorage.com.

Contacts

David Corak
VP of Corporate Finance

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.

949-429-3331

IR@smartstop.com

The Saint-Gobain North America Foundation Donates Over $1.4 Million to Non-profits Across the U.S. and Canada in 2022

MALVERN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This year, the Saint-Gobain North America Foundation, the corporate foundation of Saint-Gobain North America (SGNA) celebrates over two decades of making a difference in the communities where it operates and building a culture that inspires employees to engage in philanthropy. As an extension of the Company’s purpose and long-term guiding principle –to make the world a better home — the SGNA Foundation was established in 2001 to help build stronger, more resilient communities through national grants, community outreach, volunteerism, and direct employee support.

Over the last 21 years, the SGNA Foundation has partnered with hundreds of non-profit organizations to support projects in its communities related to sustainable habitat development, STEM education, and workforce development and training – with over $1.4 million distributed to local non-profits positively impacting and uplifting communities where SGNA is located in 2022 alone.

“With over 150 locations and more than 15,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada, we have a major role to play in the social and economic vitality of the communities where we operate in North America,” said Joe Bondi, President of the Saint-Gobain North America Foundation. “We believe we have an important responsibility to use our scale and our reach to stand behind the values that drive us. The SGNA Foundation, and its programs, are a direct manifestation of our commitment to that responsibility, and how we stand by our Company’s purpose and empower our workforce to live out our values each day.”

This year, the SGNA Foundation has helped the Company’s local communities grow and thrive by supporting a range of causes. Through initiatives led by the SGNA Foundation, SGNA employees feel inspired not only to contribute to the causes they personally care about, but also participate in fundraising events that directly benefit the communities where they live, work, and raise their families. The Foundation’s most notable contributions in 2022 include:

• $455,000 in local donations made through the Foundation’s Community Gifts program, which enables each Saint-Gobain facility in North America to target its philanthropic support according to local needs and priorities.

• Over $50,000 in matching gift donations to the Ukraine 2022 Emergency Appeal via the International Committee of the Red Cross and Canada Campaign: Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. This donation was made through the Foundation’s Matching Gifts program and represents the largest matching gift made in North America in the Company’s history.

• Hundreds of thousands of dollars of donated products and materials, including Saint-Gobain roofing, insulation, gypsum, siding, fence, railing, and other products used to build homes in SGNA’s communities. These donations were made through the Foundation’s longstanding national partnerships with Homes for Our Troops, Habitat for Humanity, Good360 Youthbuild USA, and World Vision.

• Through the SGNA Foundation’s volunteer program, colleagues across the Company donated hundreds of hours of community service and volunteerism given in support of the work of hundreds of non-profits across the U.S. and Canada.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has helped shape the building products industry for more than 115 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm’s slogan “Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed,” inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, solar, fence, railing, trim, insulation, drywall and ceilings. www.certainteed.com.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME.”

€44.2 billion in sales in 2021

167,000 employees, located in 76 countries

Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more details on Saint-Gobain, visit http://www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain.

Contacts

Media Contacts
Saint-Gobain in North America:

Brenda A. Heller

Saint-Gobain Corporate Communications

Media@saint-gobain.com

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Canada–Businesses on Haida Gwaii can now sign up for no-cost energy assessments as part of BC Hydro’s new Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Program (CBEEP), delivered by CLEAResult’s local Canadian team, Ecofitt, who has a long history of community engagement in the region.

The commercial program is the first of its kind to provide businesses in the small, remote communities of Haida Gwaii with opportunities to reduce energy use through free energy efficiency upgrades. CLEAResult, Ecofitt and BC Hydro will be working closely with the Haida Nation communities of Skidegate and Old Massett to enable them to take full advantage of everything the program has to offer.

“Making energy efficiency easy and accessible for Haida Gwaii businesses is vital to protecting the unique environment of the islands,” said Ryan Shaw, CLEAResult’s Senior Vice President of Canada. “By working directly with community leaders, we can ensure we’re providing a program that serves the specific needs of local businesses and indigenous communities.”

CLEAResult, the largest energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions provider in Canada and the U.S., was awarded the contract in October, marking the company’s first commercial program in the area since acquiring Ecofitt earlier this year.

Participating businesses will receive an energy assessment to determine eligible upgrades, then switch to more energy-efficient lighting, heating systems and water fixtures, plus replace inefficient refrigerators and freezers as needed—all at no cost.

“Energy efficiency is one of our best tools for reducing reliance on diesel-generated electricity on Haida Gwaii,” BC Hydro’s Program Manager, Amy Seabrooke, added. “This new program enables our customers on Haida Gwaii to save energy and money while providing broader benefits to the whole community.”

With residential and commercial energy efficiency programs now available, people living on Haida Gwaii have multiple options for saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Haida Gwaii businesses can find the full program details and apply for an assessment online.

About CLEAResult

CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition, and decarbonization solutions in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities and residential customers to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,400 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by TPG through its middle market and growth equity investment platform TPG Growth and its multi-sector global impact investing strategy The Rise Fund.

Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com.

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Contacts

media@clearesult.com
Amber Tester
Director Corporate Communications