Triple Bottom Line Collaborative-Illustrations of Efforts Dennis West Northern Initiatives Marquette, Michigan

Three Illustrations of Application of the Triple Bottom Line Manufacturing Regional Sustainability Health Care

Jacquart Fabric Products

Cut and Sew Manufacturer Primary Product Pet Beds Initial issue Working Capital and Accounting Transformation Just In Time Modernization of Equipment

Jacquart Fabric Product Results Substantial Reduction in Inventory Lower re-work, elimination of racks, savings of capital Substantial Reduction in Working Capital Dollars could be invested in new equipment versus the financing of inventory Increase in Ability to offer more Fabric Styles with Improved Quality Increased ability to offer more styles more colors more patterns Move from mass market to mass customization, reduction in waste and re-Work Re-theme profit result Profits assured through speed of delivery, minimization of work in progress and finished goods inventory

Jacquart Fabric Products TBL Results Economy Growing sales for expanding business Has grown to over 150 employees Equity Company offering jobs in a community that has lost people for 30 years, in one of Michigan’s poorest counties with benefits! Environment Reduction of inventory meant less space to heat, light, etc Elimination of waste (reduction of re-work) and process that do not result in sales Permanently defining waste in the company as “anything that does not bring value to the customer”

Extend Nature Tourism Build Driving Trails to bring people to places and communities that extended stays and broaden experiences Extend Regional Identity for sake of helping small businesses to build packages Incorporate environmental preservation

Results Economy 1,550,000 web site hits in 2007 UP made Sherman Travels “10 best summer destinations in the world in 2006” and the Weather Channels “top 10 American Winter Equity Exceptional Market Access for small rural communities and the businesses that reside there such as; Germfask, DeTour, Cedarville, Cut River, etc Environment “Doing Our Part” Campaign Volunteer Watershed Projects More Feet on the Ground

Health Care Illustration Service Industries now represent two thirds of the largest employers in the UP Searching for the Social Entrepreneurs; those who lead service and not profit organizations and want to make change

CURRENT STATE AKA “CLUSTER...” WASTE Regulatory waste Value Added (to customer) Identified areas of waste, necessary (regulatory waste) and value added services. Then grouped activities and problem solved solutions to “waste”

Sort Phase Anticipate 25% decrease in inventory carrying costs for supply stock Time savings associated with counting/replacing decreased inventory Financial Implications of linen storage: $9.2 Million lost in revenue due to shut down $4.4 Million in continued operation expenses

Health Care Results Economy Critical part of rural economy and under pressure due to diminishing reimbursement rates Cost savings of $4mm in inventory Equity Customers (tax payers) should not pay for waste Environment Reduction in inventory, reduction in purchasing unnecessary linen With organization less use of water, and organization supports efficient in finding what is needed in a timely way

Conclusion Triple Bottom Line is A matter of competitiveness for our firms Planet preservation Opportunity for community building, liberation of ideas and savings Sound business approach No one wants to pay for waste and We can eliminate things before they ever enter into the waste stream