Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Tue, February 10, 2009
ModusLink offers Sustainable Solutions Suite to reduce the environmental impact of supply chain processes
WALTHAM, Mass.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--ModusLinkGlobal Solutions™, Inc. (NASDAQ: MLNK), a leader in supply chain business process management, is helping clients reduce the environmental impact of their supply chain processes by offering a Sustainable Solutions Suite designed to deliver maximum sustainability at the lowest total cost across the end-to-end supply chain network. The Suite of Solutions encompasses a range of services from package design to network optimization and simulation, to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) footprinting.
Sustainability within the supply chain has migrated from a goodwill philosophy to an expected market condition. In a 2007 survey by the nonprofit group Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) and Packaging Digest magazine, 73% of 1,255 respondents who are involved in packaging reported that their companies had increased the emphasis on sustainable packaging. However, most of the attention has been focused on minimizing the carbon footprint through creative transportation, alternative fuels, and sustainable packaging efforts. ModusLink takes a holistic approach to its supply chain solutions, and has applied that same methodology to its sustainability efforts by developing solutions that reduce all GHGs rather than just the dominant element of carbon. This holistic methodology also enables clients to see the positive impact sustainability can have on the bottom line.
"A common misconception that plagues sustainability programs today is that implementing more sustainable processes translates to an increase in cost, when in fact it can significantly reduce the total landed cost of a product," said Ryan Humphrey, director of professional services for ModusLink. "ModusLink is working with many clients to look at the entire supply chain network and identify offsets at every step. By considering things such as GHG emissions during manufacturing and logistics, along with package design, material costs and recycling of returned products or parts, many companies can achieve a cost savings."
ModusLink has the necessary tools, expertise and connections to identify the right solutions for clients, including leading assessment and design software, existing relationships with sustainable materials suppliers and an in-house team of sustainability experts. The Company is at the forefront of the sustainability movement, working with industry leaders to develop better tools and technology. ModusLink is currently beta testing the SPC's Comparative Packaging Assessment (COMPASS), an online software tool that allows packaging designers and engineers to compare the human and environmental impacts of their designs and is a member of the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Packaging Sustainable Value Network.
ModusLink's Suite of Sustainable Solutions includes:
- Sustainable Packaging— Using the Wal-Mart Sustainable Packaging tool and the soon to be released SPC COMPASS, in conjunction with other industry standard tools, ModusLink measures and analyzes the amount of carbon emissions of various packaging types and provides customers with feedback as to whether or not their traditional packaging is eco-friendly. ModusLink also uses a 4D methodology to model current packaging design along with multiple new variations for the client to consider that compare labor, material pallet density and carbon emissions.
- Optimized Configuration— Reviewing an organization's end-to-end supply chain helps customers understand how each part of the supply chain affects GHG emissions. By integrating the Network Optimization and Simulation service into the sustainability program helps optimize for GHG/carbon emissions and understand how it impacts all other costs in the supply chain.
- GHG Optimization— Offering expertise and tools to measure and analyze each trade-off, including carbon emissions for logistics and all GHG emissions for operational activities – as well as the capability to assign value to carbon credits – ModusLink is able to provide customers with recommendations on a sustainability program that fits their specific needs and geography.
ModusLink's Aftermarket Solutions complement the Sustainable Solutions Suite by offering services such as recycling and refurbishment of returned or excess inventory and value recovery programs to maximize the use of all product that is manufactured.
All of the Sustainable Solutions have a critical impact on GHG emissions, either by lowering the overall output or identifying when, where and how to execute a reduction in GHGs. For example, Torrent, Inc., a ModusLink client that develops high-performance, eco-friendly HDMI and component cables for the consumer electronics market, leveraged ModusLink's Sustainable Packaging Solution to redesign its product packaging to employ recyclable materials and non-hazardous inks. Torrent also will be able to reduce GHGs emitted during transportation with a smaller package to fit more units in the warehouse and on a pallet.
"Sustainability is one of the foundations of our business," said Craig Palli, CEO and co-founder of Torrent. "Our products are designed to be eco-friendly and free of harmful substances. It would be unthinkable to deliver them in a package that was not. Due to ModusLink's unmatched in-house expertise, we are able to reduce the size of our packaging and use recyclable materials we previously believed were not an option, while still meeting retailers' requirements. ModusLink's knowledge and continuous, open communication during the design process enabled us to exceed our own very high sustainability standards, and as a result, they have become a trusted and valued partner in our go-to-market strategy."
ModusLink has a deep commitment to sustainable practices and is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Wal-Mart's Sustainable Value Network (SVN), National Recycling Coalition and Southeast Recycling Development Council. For additional information about ModusLink's Sustainability Suite, please visit [ www.moduslink.com/supplychain/sustainablesolutionssuite.cfm ].
About ModusLink Global Solutions
ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. is a leader in global supply chain business process management. The Company executes critical processes for clients in the consumer electronics, high technology and communications industries to provide competitive differentiation and enable new channel and new market opportunities. An integrated portfolio of supply chain business process outsourcing and technology solutions span four core competencies: supply chain, aftermarket, e-Business and entitlement management. ModusLink Global Solutions has headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts and more than 30 facilities in 14 countries – giving it the largest global footprint in the industry. For additional information, visit [ www.moduslink.com ].
About Torrent
At Torrent, we believe that maximum performance can co-exist with minimal environmental impact. We apply innovation and thoughtful design to develop high-performance, high-quality electronics in the most eco-friendly way. These include HDMI™ and component cables incorporating our patent-pending MagLoc™, VeriFYI™, Lever-Loc™, AmpliFire™ and Signal Armor™ technologies for more reliable connectivity, reduced interference, data correction and enhancement; all steeped in green sensibility from the get-go. The result? Superior performance for consumers, diminished waste for earth. Founded in 2007, Torrent is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts. For more information, go to [ www.torrent-inc.com ].
This release contains forward-looking statements, which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected benefits of the Sustainable Solutions Suite. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: The Company's success depends on its ability to execute on its business strategy and the continued and increased demand for and market acceptance of its solutions and services, including the Sustainable Solutions Suite; the Company may not be able to expand its operations and capabilities in accordance with its business strategy; the Company may experience difficulties integrating technologies, operations and personnel in accordance with its business strategy; the Company derives a significant portion of its revenue from a small number of customers and the loss of any of those customers would significantly damage its financial condition and results of operations; the Company frequently sells to its supply chain management clients on a purchase order basis rather than pursuant to contracts with minimum purchase requirements, and therefore its revenue is subject to demand variability; increased competition and technological changes in the markets in which the Company competes; and risks associated with international operations. The occurrence of any of the foregoing factors may have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial results.For a detailed discussion of cautionary statements that may affect the Company's future results of operations and financial results, please refer to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements represent management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.
ModusLink Global Solutions is a trademark of ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc.All other company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
