Experience has shown that isolated projects to encourage recycling or save energy rarely yield truly game-changing results for an organization.

Most people agree, adopting sustainable manufacturing techniques makes short-term and long-term sense. But to realize the full bottom-line benefit and at the same time create a self-perpetuating culture of continuous improvement around sustainability, manufacturers need to embrace an integrated approach. We call that approach eco-SMART Manufacturing.

For more information or to schedule a site visit, contact Linda Barita, (216) 391-7766.

Drivers

Consumer and regulatory demand are driving the rapid movement toward sustainable manufacturing. Successful companies will be those who take full advantage of this shift toward sustainability sooner rather than later.

The U.S. Department of Commerce defines 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
• are economically sound.

MAGNET's proven 4-D Program Approach has been validated over 20 years of consulting for thousands of Northern Ohio manufacturers: Definition: Knowledge building, strategic planning, establishing guiding principles, vision and mission statements Discovery: Comprehensive sustainability assessment, final report with prioritized action plan for sustainable progress Development: Individual project action plans, goals and objectives resource needs, timeline with milestones, preliminary business case, project budget Delivery: Implementation.This balanced approach helps a company increase top line growth through increasing market share, building the company's reputation, enhancing customer satisfaction and increasing process efficiency. At the same time, bottom line profits grow by reducing waste disposal costs, electricity usage, water usage, packaging costs and raw material costs.

A focus on sustainability allows companies to grow by finding financially profitable niches which are missed when the only consideration is profit. At the same time, savings in the areas of energy and materials make a positive impact to the corporate bottom line.

Five critical areas

Manufacturers who adopt the eco-SMART Manufacturing Program will use less energy and water and reduce waste disposal, packaging and raw materials cost, which positively impact the bottom line.

Our eco-SMART team will address five critical areas of a manufacturer's business:

Products: Carbon footprint, product lifecycle management, green design, waste management

Operations: Lean process management, energy management, process utility management, waste management

Facilities: Waste management, utility management

Culture: Environmental awareness, recycling program, personal carbon footprint, work-related travel

Marketing: Sustainability and the marketing message, green slogans, green promotions, green packaging.

The eco-SMART team

MAGNET’s Product Design and Development division, which was honored as one of the recipients of Managing Automation Media magazine’s Progressive Manufacturing Awards in June 2009, will play a key role in helping companies design or redesign their products with environmental concerns in mind.

Affinity Consultants specializes in the development of innovative, sustainable solutions that improve a customer’s environmental, health and safety systems. Affinity will conduct assessments that determine which action a company needs to take to call themselves a "sustainable manufacturer." Affinity will also provide business consulting services on air, water, waste, energy and safety.

Find out where you're at

The eco-SMART Program delivery team has identified Six Levels of Strategic Focus that define the journey to a completely sustainable company.

• Level 1: Risk Management
• Level 2: Process Efficiency
• Level 3: Product Innovation
• Level 4: Market Diversification & Creation
• Level 5: Sustainable Culture & Company Image
• Level 6: Evolution of a Game Changing Organization

Beginning with a comprehensive sustainability evaluation, MAGNET's eco-SMART team meets a company at whatever level is appropriate on its journey to becoming a sustainable manufacturer and a game-changing organization.

For more information or to schedule a site visit, contact Linda Barita, (216) 391-7766.