The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is fortunate to partner with companies all over the state for the Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) Program. W.A.I.T. creates an opportunity for organizations to restore wildlife habitat on their properties, provide educational opportunities for their staff, and participate in community outreach with their local schools and/or neighborhoods.

This month, SCWF is shining a spotlight on W.A.I.T. partner Lonza in Greenwood, South Carolina. Read our Q&A with their W.A.I.T. team to learn more about the awesome work they are doing!

Tell us a bit about Lonza. Lonza is a company of high-performing teams and of individual employees who are encouraged to act with an entrepreneurial spirit on behalf of customers. As a global organization, Lonza is focused on achieving the strategic vision of being the world's leading, integrated solutions provider for its pharma and consumer healthcare and nutrition customers all along the healthcare continuum.
The company serves that continuum and certain other targeted markets through a wide range of businesses in its Lonza Pharma Biotech & Nutrition and Specialty Ingredients segments. The core competitive advantages that span these groups are advanced manufacturing and quality-control systems, superior regulatory expertise, in-depth market knowledge, extensive technical-customer support and strong R&D capabilities.
With its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, Lonza has more than 100 sites and offices and approximately 15,500 full-time employees worldwide at the end of 2018. The company’s businesses benefit from global supply chains, but Lonza also has the flexibility to address regional and even local marketplace needs.
A strong ethical thread is interwoven throughout the entire Lonza organization and consists of a firm commitment to ethical business conduct. Lonza also takes a sustainable approach to minimizing our impact on the environment, conserving energy and natural resources, and helping to improve the quality of life. In addition, the goal of Lonza's Vision Zero initiative is to achieve zero workplace accidents and injuries, zero environmental incidents, zero product transportation incidents and zero manufacturing process incidents.
Through these and other safety, quality and human resource initiatives, the company strives to be the Place to Go, Stay and Grow.
What was Lonza’s motivation for partnering with SCWF for the W.A.I.T. program? The W.A.I.T. program works in conjunction with Lonza's ethical approach to business and the company's sustainability efforts. Our local site leadership continuously seeks for sustainability improvements and this certification (W.A.I.T.) was highlighted because of it’s state symbolism. It was a natural partnership!
What is your team’s favorite element of Lonza’s wildlife habitat? There are so many key elements for the garden such as state symbolism and plant-life that it is difficult to pin-point one favorite component. One of the most beautiful aspects is that a colleague can stand at the garden for mere seconds and see an abundance of wildlife such as the butterflies. This provides a sense of serenity that any industry can support.
How has Lonza’s participation in the W.A.I.T. program impacted your community? The partnership with our local community college, Piedmont Technical College, has been beneficial for horticulture students in the area. They use the garden for students to identify different plant life and the characteristics of each species.
What wildlife, or wildlife centered event (on Lonza’s property) does your team enjoy the most? We have really enjoyed the increase of butterflies, birds and rabbits in our habitat.
Where can people go to keep up with Lonza and the work you are doing? They can check out our website and social media accounts. Follow Lonza: Facebook, twitter, YouTube LinkedIn

Are you interested in learning more about W.A.I.T.? Contact Jay Keck to learn more!