They didn’t cause the crisis—but they owned the solution.

A manufacturing company had just taken ownership of a facility when a crisis surfaced: industrial waste from the site had entered a nearby river, killing tens of thousands of fish and drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups, regulators and the public.

Although the discharge had occurred before the acquisition, the company still faced scrutiny and legal pressure. Mower advised a direct, transparent approach. We helped the company take responsibility where appropriate and communicate a clear plan for restoration, improvement and prevention.

Rather than lay low, the company stepped up. We supported visible partnerships with local environmental groups, funded habitat restoration efforts and brought in experts to explain the remediation work to both media and community stakeholders.

Over time, the tone of coverage shifted. Media began reporting not just on the damage, but on the progress. Officials acknowledged the company’s cooperation and commitment. A story that began with outrage evolved into one of accountability and recovery.