Spend Matters Report Ties Sustainability and Green Practices to Savings

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - October 14, 2008) - Spend Matters, the leading procurement and supply chain blog and research hub, today announced the publication of a research report entitled, "Redefining Sustainability: Saving Money, Reducing Risk and Going Green." The paper provides case examples and analysis that show sustainable procurement and supply chain practices now include cost reduction as well as other factors such as safety, quality, environmental concerns and overall supplier stability.

According to Jason Busch, Spend Matters Editor, "Many of the world's most respected companies are pursuing green and sustainable sourcing and supply chain practices. But they're not talking about the more strategic aspects of their programs in the public domain. That's because they view the cost and risk reduction side of their activities as a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This paper unearths some of these strategies and the results that leaders are achieving whether they're engaged in global sourcing activities or working with regional or local suppliers."

Spend Matters' findings suggest that the companies getting the most out of green and sustainable investments are making these initiatives as much of a supply management (and cost) priority as corporate social responsibility (CSR). The research also suggests that companies are expanding their definition and focus on sustainability across multiple categories including packaging (e.g., corrugated), transportation / logistics, plastics and even metals.

In addition, the paper provides examples that show how industry leaders are working closely with their suppliers to define new materials and contract specifications and to develop alternatives to save money and reduce risk in volatile commodity and credit market environments.

"Today's financial crisis is not a time for companies to turn their backs on sustainability. Rather, the environment provides cause to expand the definition of sustainability and to prioritize new types of cost reduction initiatives that such programs can bring," Busch said.

Readers can download this free report and other complimentary research studies directly from the Spend Matters website: http://www.spendmatters.com/pages/perspectives.cfm

About Spend Matters

Spend Matters is a blog and research community dedicated to examining a range of procurement and supply management issues. Founded in 2004, http://www.spendmatters.com is the longest running and highest trafficked social media site in the sourcing and supply chain realm.

Contact Information: Media Contact: William Busch: 215-508-7414