Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008 - (Page 11)

Catching Up With… How do manufacturers and retailers better collaborate? J O H N S O N : By talking openly and often produced and what could be the watch outs of the process, is it really the best material to meet the goal? FAV O R I T E S P O R T S T E A M : method dodge ball team PROUDEST MOMENT: about common and diverging interests, and by being clear on the goals of each. By putting ourselves in each others’ shoes and testing how we would do things differently with that mind set. Also, by engaging each other in our goals and having some fun doing it. What is the most important thing that companies should consider when trying to become more environmentally/socially responsible? J O H N S O N : Make progress every day. A Coming in the next three months BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Currently working on it (hope to be done in three months) MOST RECENT TECH PURCHASE: How can manufacturers integrate sustainability into existing processes? J O H N S O N : Other manufacturers certainly seem interested and engaged in learning, growing and progressing. We all have lots to learn and lots to influence here besides just pumping out products. In a manufacturing process there is a whole bunch of things that are straight forward and a lot that require deeper involvement. Things like doing audits on energy and water usage. Measuring and tracking progress and setting future goals are great steps. Simply being good and inquisitive goes a long way in getting the right information. Ask question after question. Things like looking deeper into the sourcing of the materials — where does it come from, how does it get here, how is it handled, what else might be added to it that I might not know, how is it CONSUMER GOODS TECHNOLOGY | J U LY 2 0 0 8 phrase used around our office that I love is “progress not perfection.” This applies to both our products and to how we think and educate ourselves on environmentally fit products and ingredients. If our goal for tomorrow is making the perfect product, we will make slow progress and may never introduce it. But, if we can make significant progress every day, then our products are in a much better place and so is everyone that touches them: consumers, manufacturers, chemical producers and retailers. Perfection is tough with time limits, but aggressive and continual progress gets us darn close, fast. It’s a super time to be a formulator right now with all the change and technical challenge of emerging materials, natural chemistry and evolving consumer demands. Great fun and challenge for all of us to make a difference in the future. CG | W W W. C O N S U M E R G O O D S . C O M A variety of natural ingredients for exploratory new products FAV O R I T E Q U O T E : “Don’t worry, be happy.” “I BELIEVE IN C O L L E C T I V E LY P U S H I N G T H E B O U N DA R I E S O N B E S T A P P L I C AT I O N S TO BRING ECONOMIC A N D E N V I RO N M E N TA L P RO F I T S .” 11 http://WWW.CONSUMERGOODS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008

Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008 Contents Edit Note Insights Special Report Catching Up With... Energy-Minded Efficiency Waste to Wonder Greater Good Natural Business Built to Last Setting Sustainable Goals Sustainability, Part 2 CGT Events Between the Lines

Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008

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