Sustainability Drives Top and Bottom Line Growth for Manufacturers
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe that safer, cleaner and more energy-efficient production are the most important manufacturing issues in today’s economy, according to a survey by Opinion Research Corp. It should be no surprise then that Americans choose product and employee safety, and environmental issues as the most important attributes when considering a manufacturing company, according to the same study. At the top of their list was using natural resources efficiently and producing minimal waste at 80 percent and 71 percent respectively.
It would make sense then that manufacturers, both business-to-consumer and business-to-business, adopt more sustainable manufacturing processes that will increase their market share. The Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) believes this is the case and is one reason it’s launching its eco-SMART Manufacturing Program and is partnering with two outside experts, The Marketing Insider and Affinity Consultants, to create a well-rounded program.
Ed Nolan, Vice President of Consulting Delivery for MAGNET, said, “Companies that adopt our sustainable manufacturing approach will see their top line increase through greater market share, enhanced reputation and customer satisfaction. They will also see reduced waste disposal, packaging and raw materials costs as well as substantially lower electricity and water use which will impact their bottom line.”
The eco-SMART Manufacturing Program offers a comprehensive set of services designed to help manufacturers meet the growing worldwide consumer and regulatory demand for products that are made which respect environmental, conservation, health and safety concerns. The program has been designed to meet the U.S. Department of Commerce’s definition for sustainable manufacturing as, “...the creation of manufactured products that: use processes that minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources, are safe for employees, communities and consumers and are economically sound.”
MAGNET’s partners, Affinity Consultants of Canal Fulton and The Marketing Insider of Columbus, have extensive expertise in helping companies become more sustainable and position themselves as credible, greener companies. Affinity Consultants specializes in the development of innovative, sustainable solutions that improve a customer’s environmental, health and safety systems and add value to their organization. They integrate technical expertise and organizational development methodology to established customized processes that meet and exceed the needs of their customers. Affinity recently conducted the City of Akron’s sustainability program. As part of the MAGNET sustainable manufacturing team, they will conduct the assessments that determine the actions to be taken so a company can be called a sustainable manufacturer.
The Marketing Insider helps companies better understand the sustainability trends and the consumers driving them so it positively impacts their bottom line. It helps companies create authentic green value© and credible, sustainable brands. Colette Chandler, the president, is a nationally-known expert who consults, speaks and trains to build awareness of the impact green consumers have on industry. Her company conducted groundbreaking research to help companies take advantage of the attitudes, behaviors and purchasing decisions of consumers as it relates to the environment, natural health and wellness. As part of MAGNET’s sustainable manufacturing team, The Marketing Insider will conduct the marketing and communications assessments that will allow a company to be able to say it is a sustainable manufacturer. The company will also provide services ranging from sales and marketing consulting, strategy development, to training and brand positioning.
MAGNET’s product design and development division, which will be honored as one of the recipients of Managing Automation Media magazine’s Progressive Manufacturing Awards in June, will play a key role in helping design, or redesign, a company’s products with environmental concerns in mind. MAGNET was heavily involved in the design and development of a new environmentally-friendly product, the Siphon Flush from American Innovative Products that can conserve millions of gallons of fresh water every day while saving consumers money on their water bills because of greatly reduced consumption.
Overall, a 4-D approach (define, discover, develop and deploy) will be used to examine five critical areas in a company: products, operations, facilities, culture and marketing. Information gained through this comprehensive look will lead to recommendations and action steps that, once approved, move to implementation of a customized program that will lead to top and bottom line growth and place the company in an elite group of manufacturers with a true competitive edge in the marketplace.
“We’ve called our program eco-Smart for a reason. Manufacturers who use our program will not just be making a few technical production or material changes, they will be repositioning their company into a new strategy that is ready and able to take advantage of the growing worldwide consumer and regulatory demand for products that respect the environment, conservation and safety concerns,” said Nolan.
For more information, contact Ed Nolan at 216-391-7513 or ed.nolan@magnetwork.org.