|
TOKYO, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LIXIL Corporation ("LIXIL", TSE Code: 5938), maker of pioneering water and housing products, today announced that it has achieved its ambitious goal of improving sanitation and hygiene for 103 million people[1]. Achieving this milestone, the primary target of the Global Sanitation and Hygiene pillar of LIXIL's Impact Strategy and set in 2016, reinforces LIXIL's commitment to further accelerating sanitation and hygiene access worldwide.
Safe sanitation and hygiene remain among the most urgent global challenges. Approximately 3.4 billion people[2] still lack access to safely managed sanitation, including 354 million people[3] practicing open defecation. Furthermore, approximately 1.7 billion people[4] do not have basic hygiene services at home. The human cost is devastating: more than 1,000 children under the age of five die every day from diseases spread by unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.
These systematic failures result in hundreds of billions of dollars in annual losses from reduced productivity and higher healthcare costs. Yet, there is an untapped opportunity: every $1 invested in sanitation yields a fivefold economic return.
LIXIL's achievement is the result of shipping more than 10 million SATO toilet and hand hygiene products across 59 countries and territories. By establishing a social business and serving underserved communities with affordable and innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions, LIXIL's SATO has successfully developed sanitation markets in Africa and Asia. Predominantly reaching sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia, SATO's business not only reaches households, it also expands the impact in communities through critical non-household settings including schools and healthcare facilities, and most recently in humanitarian settings such as refugee camps.
"Reaching 103 million people is not a finish line, but powerful proof that the private sector plays a critical role in addressing an urgent global issue," said Kinya Seto, CEO of LIXIL. "While LIXIL is renowned for high-end innovations, we take equal pride in our affordable SATO solutions. By establishing a social business, we are addressing the sanitation and hygiene challenges at scale, not only improving health, but empowering families with security and peace of mind they deserve to build their livelihoods and prosper.
Our journey is one of learning and partnership. We are grateful to the families and partners who have welcomed our solutions into their homes and communities. Seeing first-hand how simple, safe toilets can restore dignity and improve quality of life deepens our commitment. Our role is to serve as a catalyst, supporting the resilience and potential of every community we reach."
The Power of Collaboration
In collaboration with a diverse range of partners—including governments, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector players—LIXIL is focused on creating resilient and sustainable sanitation markets in global economies and rural communities. A cornerstone of our progress is the 'Make a Splash!' partnership with UNICEF, UNICEF's first global shared-value partnership for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and the first of its kind with a Japanese company.
This collaboration combines LIXIL's expertise in product development and supply chains with UNICEF's strengths in sanitation programming and changing behavior through community education. The partnership empowers a robust, self-sustaining ecosystem comprising local entrepreneurs and masons, community healthcare workers, manufacturers, and retailers to ensure sanitation and hygiene for all.
Going Forward: Evolved Ambition toward 2030
"Reaching 100 million people is a significant milestone, representing the impact on individuals and communities, and it is also a vital transition point." said Erin McCusker, Leader of SATO. "The global goal of universal access to safe sanitation and hygiene by 2030 demands unprecedented acceleration. We see sanitation as a foundation for the achievement of many other development goals. LIXIL's upcoming 2030 targets will reinforce our commitment to deliver private-sector innovation and market-driven models essential to making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere."
To learn more about LIXIL's initiatives on sanitation and hygiene: visit here.
CONTACT: pr_global@lixil.com
TOKYO, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LIXIL Corporation ("LIXIL", TSE Code: 5938), maker of pioneering water and housing products, today announced that it has achieved its ambitious goal of improving sanitation and hygiene for 103 million people[1]. Achieving this milestone, the primary target of the Global Sanitation and Hygiene pillar of LIXIL's Impact Strategy and set in 2016, reinforces LIXIL's commitment to further accelerating sanitation and hygiene access worldwide.
Safe sanitation and hygiene remain among the most urgent global challenges. Approximately 3.4 billion people[2] still lack access to safely managed sanitation, including 354 million people[3] practicing open defecation. Furthermore, approximately 1.7 billion people[4] do not have basic hygiene services at home. The human cost is devastating: more than 1,000 children under the age of five die every day from diseases spread by unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.
These systematic failures result in hundreds of billions of dollars in annual losses from reduced productivity and higher healthcare costs. Yet, there is an untapped opportunity: every $1 invested in sanitation yields a fivefold economic return.
LIXIL's achievement is the result of shipping more than 10 million SATO toilet and hand hygiene products across 59 countries and territories. By establishing a social business and serving underserved communities with affordable and innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions, LIXIL's SATO has successfully developed sanitation markets in Africa and Asia. Predominantly reaching sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia, SATO's business not only reaches households, it also expands the impact in communities through critical non-household settings including schools and healthcare facilities, and most recently in humanitarian settings such as refugee camps.
"Reaching 103 million people is not a finish line, but powerful proof that the private sector plays a critical role in addressing an urgent global issue," said Kinya Seto, CEO of LIXIL. "While LIXIL is renowned for high-end innovations, we take equal pride in our affordable SATO solutions. By establishing a social business, we are addressing the sanitation and hygiene challenges at scale, not only improving health, but empowering families with security and peace of mind they deserve to build their livelihoods and prosper.
Our journey is one of learning and partnership. We are grateful to the families and partners who have welcomed our solutions into their homes and communities. Seeing first-hand how simple, safe toilets can restore dignity and improve quality of life deepens our commitment. Our role is to serve as a catalyst, supporting the resilience and potential of every community we reach."
The Power of Collaboration
In collaboration with a diverse range of partners—including governments, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector players—LIXIL is focused on creating resilient and sustainable sanitation markets in global economies and rural communities. A cornerstone of our progress is the 'Make a Splash!' partnership with UNICEF, UNICEF's first global shared-value partnership for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and the first of its kind with a Japanese company.
This collaboration combines LIXIL's expertise in product development and supply chains with UNICEF's strengths in sanitation programming and changing behavior through community education. The partnership empowers a robust, self-sustaining ecosystem comprising local entrepreneurs and masons, community healthcare workers, manufacturers, and retailers to ensure sanitation and hygiene for all.
Going Forward: Evolved Ambition toward 2030
"Reaching 100 million people is a significant milestone, representing the impact on individuals and communities, and it is also a vital transition point." said Erin McCusker, Leader of SATO. "The global goal of universal access to safe sanitation and hygiene by 2030 demands unprecedented acceleration. We see sanitation as a foundation for the achievement of many other development goals. LIXIL's upcoming 2030 targets will reinforce our commitment to deliver private-sector innovation and market-driven models essential to making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere."
To learn more about LIXIL's initiatives on sanitation and hygiene: visit here.
1: Results are preliminary and subject to minor change based on partner reporting received in Q4 of FYE2026 (March 31, 2026). To learn more about the results, please click here.
2: The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000-2024
3: The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000-2024
4: The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000-2024
CONTACT: pr_global@lixil.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
LIXIL Reaches Major Milestone in Impact Strategy, Improving Sanitation and Hygiene for 103 Million People Globally
|
Strategic preferred partnership expands progress claims and early payment solutions across Australia and New Zealand construction sector
SYDNEY, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlytrade, the global fintech platform transforming working capital management, today announced an ANZ strategic preferred partnership with BuildingPoint Australia to expand progress claims and structured early payment solutions across the construction supply chain in Australia and New Zealand.
Effective January 2026, BuildingPoint, the exclusive distributor of Trimble's Buildings Construction portfolio, will refer Earlytrade as its progress claims and early payment solutions partner to head contractors seeking stronger margin control, improved working capital outcomes, and greater supply chain stability. Earlytrade integrates with leading construction ERP systems, including Trimble Jobpac and Vista, while also supporting other ERP platforms.
The partnership enables contractors to offer optional, HC-funded early payments to subcontractors without changing existing payment processes or relinquishing capital control. Unlike traditional invoice factoring or supply chain finance, Earlytrade's model allows head contractors to deploy their own capital in a structured, automated program designed to improve project margin predictability and reduce financial variability.
"Construction leaders are under pressure from rising costs and tighter margins," said Guy Saxelby, CEO and Co-founder of Earlytrade. "This partnership gives contractors a disciplined way to strengthen their construction supply chain while generating predictable returns from capital already on their balance sheet."
Common industry challenges, including declining returns on cash and manual early payment processes, have made margin stability harder to achieve. Earlytrade's automated eligibility controls and approval workflows help contractors scale early payments with oversight and risk controls embedded.
"BuildingPoint works closely with contractors who are focused on performance, visibility, and operational control," said Andrew Farley, General Manager of BuildingPoint Australia. "Partnering with Earlytrade allows us to introduce a practical working capital solution that supports subcontractors, while reinforcing stronger financial outcomes for head contractors. The fact that Earlytrade integrates seamlessly with our Trimble ERP solutions is what makes this partnership strategically compelling."
The agreement supports Earlytrade's broader strategy to strengthen its Australian construction finance footprint while deepening relationships across the region's contractor network. Head contractors can request a demo at www.earlytrade.com.
About Earlytrade
Earlytrade is a global fintech company transforming how construction and enterprise businesses grow margin and turn finance operations into a profit centre. Operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Earlytrade's suite of solutions, including early payment and progress claim platforms, empowers head contractors and trade partners to improve cash flow, increase profitability, and build more resilient supply chains. Learn more at earlytrade.com.
Media Contact
marketing@earlytrade.com
About BuildingPoint
As the exclusive distributor of Trimble's Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owners (AECO) portfolio, BuildingPoint is part of a global network of Trimble distribution partners specialising in supporting customers to adopt innovative hardware and software solutions. This partnership enables Trimble's global strategy to be executed with deep regional know-how, helping the ANZ construction industry operate more productively and efficiently by connecting people, data, and workflows through intuitive, accessible technology.
Strategic preferred partnership expands progress claims and early payment solutions across Australia and New Zealand construction sector
SYDNEY, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlytrade, the global fintech platform transforming working capital management, today announced an ANZ strategic preferred partnership with BuildingPoint Australia to expand progress claims and structured early payment solutions across the construction supply chain in Australia and New Zealand.
Effective January 2026, BuildingPoint, the exclusive distributor of Trimble's Buildings Construction portfolio, will refer Earlytrade as its progress claims and early payment solutions partner to head contractors seeking stronger margin control, improved working capital outcomes, and greater supply chain stability. Earlytrade integrates with leading construction ERP systems, including Trimble Jobpac and Vista, while also supporting other ERP platforms.
The partnership enables contractors to offer optional, HC-funded early payments to subcontractors without changing existing payment processes or relinquishing capital control. Unlike traditional invoice factoring or supply chain finance, Earlytrade's model allows head contractors to deploy their own capital in a structured, automated program designed to improve project margin predictability and reduce financial variability.
"Construction leaders are under pressure from rising costs and tighter margins," said Guy Saxelby, CEO and Co-founder of Earlytrade. "This partnership gives contractors a disciplined way to strengthen their construction supply chain while generating predictable returns from capital already on their balance sheet."
Common industry challenges, including declining returns on cash and manual early payment processes, have made margin stability harder to achieve. Earlytrade's automated eligibility controls and approval workflows help contractors scale early payments with oversight and risk controls embedded.
"BuildingPoint works closely with contractors who are focused on performance, visibility, and operational control," said Andrew Farley, General Manager of BuildingPoint Australia. "Partnering with Earlytrade allows us to introduce a practical working capital solution that supports subcontractors, while reinforcing stronger financial outcomes for head contractors. The fact that Earlytrade integrates seamlessly with our Trimble ERP solutions is what makes this partnership strategically compelling."
The agreement supports Earlytrade's broader strategy to strengthen its Australian construction finance footprint while deepening relationships across the region's contractor network. Head contractors can request a demo at www.earlytrade.com.
About Earlytrade
Earlytrade is a global fintech company transforming how construction and enterprise businesses grow margin and turn finance operations into a profit centre. Operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Earlytrade's suite of solutions, including early payment and progress claim platforms, empowers head contractors and trade partners to improve cash flow, increase profitability, and build more resilient supply chains. Learn more at earlytrade.com.
Media Contact
marketing@earlytrade.com
About BuildingPoint
As the exclusive distributor of Trimble's Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owners (AECO) portfolio, BuildingPoint is part of a global network of Trimble distribution partners specialising in supporting customers to adopt innovative hardware and software solutions. This partnership enables Trimble's global strategy to be executed with deep regional know-how, helping the ANZ construction industry operate more productively and efficiently by connecting people, data, and workflows through intuitive, accessible technology.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Earlytrade and BuildingPoint Announce Strategic ANZ Partnership
