THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY
From corporate practices to supply chain management, sustainability plays a fundamental role in doing things better. Definitively speaking, sustainability is managing risks, opportunities, and performance in operations, services, and supply chain while benefitting financial, environmental, and social aspects of a business (profits, people, and the planet). Best practices translate into value in the form of cost savings, innovation drivers, operational efficiency gains, and saving the environment.
The Outdoor Industry has communicated market demand for businesses to incorporate sustainable initiatives. Consumers are more aware than ever of climate change and the importance of natural resource conservation. They are interested in protecting the places they recreate, and are insisting on transparency around the businesses and products they love. Top retailers in the industry are aiming to show solidarity by imposing requirements for the brands they carry to incorporate practices such as fair trade, carbon reduction, animal welfare protections, curtailment of chemical use and microfiber shedding, increased use of sustainable materials that are recyclable or compostable, and the use of locally-sourced materials, whenever possible.
All of this, coupled with increased regulation and legislation nationwide, means taking on complex challenges involving all aspects of the business in new and intelligent ways to meet the demands from our consumers and top customers.
EXXEL'S MITIGATION PLAN
Exxel has stepped up to the challenge by developing committees with clear direction and leadership dedicated to sustainability practices in the following areas: Product Lifecycle, Factories & Supply Chain, Marketing & Communication, Offices & Facilities, and Conservation. Initiative highlights that will communicate accountability in these important areas include:
• Participation in the HIGG Index, a suite of tools that enables brands, retailers, and facilities of all sizes - at every stage in their sustainability journey - to accurately measure and score a company or product’s sustainability performance. The long-term plan for Exxel is to market each brand's HIGG Index compliance or score, resulting in positive impact.
• Brand membership in the Outdoor Industry Association, a collective of brands that collaborates to drive change in policy, sustainability, and outdoor participation. Currently, Kelty, Ultimate Direction, Sierra Designs, and SJK are members of the OIA.
In addition, the company has taken environmental actions such as employee community service in the form of cleanup/restoration activities and events. Exxel plans to tell its sustainability story to customers, employees, and the industry at large through marketing on packaging and in digital workbooks, partnering with non-profit organizations that align with its values, publicizing its goals and successes, and supporting policies that are in step with its environmental and social goals.
