the benefits
Goals of the ForeThinkingProgram
new sustainable products
New positive products and services will shape new markets and revenues for inspired companies.
how – moving through company’s cultural shift, focusing on fore market opportunities and eco_designing (design thinking tools).
example – GS4C srl (see gs4c.museumssites.com) is a start up company based in Milan. It proposes itself not just as a supplier of sustainable semi-finished materials (reinforcements, resins, etc.) but as a new product development partner; the vision of the founding partners of GS4C is one of collaborative effort toward a complete zero-landfill manufacturing.
Supported by a regional scheme for innovative projects (“FRIM-Startup fund of Regione Lombardia”), GS4C is now embarking in the manufacturing of a 100% recyclable sail-racing boat. The boat will be a Mini650, a boat designed to race single handedly across the Atlantic in a race known as the Minitransat. Given the tradition that sees the Mini650 Class at the leading edge of innovative thinking in the sailing world, the team decided that this could be the perfect showcase for something as innovative as a composite sail-racing boat made entirely from a single fiber and a bio-based epoxy that is 100% sustainable and recyclable.
new revenues fonts
New revenues fonts are generated by the design thinking process. Environmentally and socially superior credentials as a result of product long lasting design.
how – Long lasting design, turning products into a service, re-marketing product materials at the end of their traditional use.
example – Ercol (www.ercol.com) Ercol was founded in 1920 by a young Italian immigrant, Luciano Ercolani, whose simple goal was to make furniture that was well designed and made in a good working environment by craftsmen who really took pride in their work. Ercol has been designing and making quality furniture for nearly 100 years. In 1943, a singular event changed the future of Ercol. The UK was going through a serious shortage in raw materials and due to all the re-structuring and rebuilding there was a substantial demand for new furniture; the Utility Furniture Scheme, and its advisory Committee, was set up as a way to make sure that the scarce available materials were used in a sensible way.
Ercol’s 4a Kitchen Chair was going to be a prime example of a well made and efficient chair and one of the first circular economy bud. Thanks to its long lasting design characteristics, Ercol is a shining example of second life market products.
There is a large amount of selling and re-selling of old Ercol pieces which happens online through sites, as well as small companies who provide repair services such as replacement rubber webbing for seats etc. These are all activities done by independent people and companies not linked directly to the Company. Ercol makes furniture that lasts a very long time, so naturally if circumstances change people sell their old Ercol products on to somebody new.
cost reduction
one of the goal of the environmental policies is the reduction of costs through the sensible use of raw materials, production waste and energy fonts.
how – through re-using product material and increasing resource efficiency (water, energy spending).
Reusable packaging for raw materials, reduction of water consumption and energy savings are notable examples of efficiency Reusable packaging for raw materials, reduction of water consumption and energy savings are notable examples of efficiency.
example – Calia (www.caliaitalia.com), established in Matera in 1965, is the most ancient company of the Upholstery Furniture District in Basilicata. Calia Italia’s history begins with his founder Liborio Vincenzo Calia, a skilled master carpenter who started creating and producing sofas in Matera. The company designs, manufactures and exports worldwide sofas and chairs in leather and fabric, known for their outstanding craftsmanship, care for details, attention to design and unmistakable comfort. In 2006, Calia completed ISO 14001 certification (Environmental Management System) adopting international industry specific environmental standards. One of the most challenging goal of the environmetal policy of the company is the rrduction to zero of materials in the production waste register (reducing costs). Leather production scraps, for example, are sent to a cooperative of prisoners producing bags and other accessories. Today, Calia is one of the first italian companies that has started the fore_thinking strategy pattern.