Environmental actions

As in the previous years, Amer Sports companies continued educating their employees about changing their work-habits to reduce energy and paper consumption, increase recycling and rationalize travel. Employees were asked to consider every element of their jobs and how they could improve their performance while reducing their environmental impact. The environmental programs taken and developed in 2011 focused both on improving performance or focused on environmental aspects in products.

The key elements of the corporate-wide travel policy are to estimate the necessity to travel and consider the alternative communication methods instead. One of them is the existing video conference system which was upgraded in 2009 and has already 30 video centers.  Increase in the usage hours shows that the system is in active use today and reduces the need for air travel. The travel policy has been communicated throughout the company using internal communications channels and it applies to all areas and Amer Sports companies. There are also other online meeting applications and collaboration tools that are in a daily use making the communication easier and also reducing the necessity to travel.

Salomon

Salomon has conducted several life cycle assessments (LCAs) during the recent years to better understand and evaluate environmental aspects and production impacts associated with a product. As a member of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Salomon has worked to establish industry standards for product development and disposal, and in 2011 Salomon has started testing the OIAs Eco Index tool for Apparel Category, which is a project of the Industry’s Eco Working Group. As a continuation for its interest in taking into account environmental aspects in its products in 2011 Salomon also started a study on how to recycle alpine boots. Salomon received an Eco Ride award for its efforts in the Snowboard range.

Salomon is a co-founder of the Fondation Eau, Neige & Glace which aims to improve the management of mountain water resources, and as a member of Mountain Riders, a French non-profit organization, Salomon works to raise awareness on environmental issues and for the promotion of sustainable development in the mountains. Salomon cooperates actively with the other companies in the area of Annecy and Salomon has also founded an association called Outdoor Sports Valley to develop environmental actions together in the areas of Annecy.  When organizing events, Salomon focuses on several aspects to create these events more environmentally-friendlier so that can be measured as eco-events.

Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx is working to create a near zero waste program to reduce waste and make cost savings as well as rationalize travel. During 2011 Arc’teryx has started a project to launch Environmental Guidelines for the company. Arc’teryx is also a member of the Conservation Alliance, which has a mission to protect wilderness areas for their habitat and recreation values. Initiated and supported by the company, the Arc’teryx Green Committee is an employee-based group that dedicates part of their working week towards reducing the environmental footprint of the business, and by researching and identifying problem areas within the company, its members propose and implement more sustainable solutions. Based on the active work of the Green Committee, Arc’teryx also received well deserved recognition for their efforts during Vancouver's Bike to Work Week by ranked one of the greenest employers in Canada.

Precor

Precor systematically develops its environmental programs and year 2011 was a stellar year for the Precor Recycling Program. Precor implemented recycling of LDPE (low-density polyethylene, flexible translucent plastics) and ABS (rigid plastics) in 100% of their operations and as a result during 2011 recycled 43 tons of LPDEs, 1.4 tons of ABD, 243 tons of cardboard or mixed paper, 738 electronic items including phones, printer copies etc., and 48 pallets of electronics . By recycling these items, Precor demonstrates sustainable business practices but achieved also saving more than $10.000 in waste removal fees and recovered with IT electronics. Additionally, all the Production Supervisors and Managers worked closely to educate employees and ensured items were going to the proper location for recycling.

Precor also invested also in welding ventilation system to improve its energy efficiency and extend the life of the equipment.  To improve heat energy loss during cooler months Precor has installed high speed bay doors in its manufacturing buildings. Its strength equipment manufacturing facility in North Carolina was given the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold status. The company worked with the architects, developers and contractors to ensure the highest possible energy conservation in the new facility. Addition to the previous actions Precor has ongoing commuter reduction efforts.

Atomic

To improve air but also energy efficiency as well as heat recovery Atomic has invested in new exhaust and fresh air devices in the facility in Altenmarkt. Atomic has also taken new actions to improve waste management to separate all the materials by pure wood, aluminum and composite materials as well as further developed the separation of plastics into different types of plastics.  Atomic manufactures environmentally-friendlier Atomic Nomad Renu skis which followed the rewarded Renu Boots. Compared to conventional skis, the Nomad Renu uses 30% less fiberglass and epoxy resins. The top sheet is produced with rapeseed oil, while recycled materials are used for the production of the base and steel edges. The special combination of a laminated ash core and a nut veneered top reinforcement makes energy-intensive aluminum components unnecessary and as a result, the carbon footprint has been reduced by 50%. Atomic is also a member of a Climate Alliance participating in the work against climate change.

Suunto

In 2011 Suunto launched a trade-in campaign at retail for collecting used watches against a discount on a new product. To reduce the air-freight need products are transported from suppliers in Asia to Finland without individual packaging. This action has created significant carbon and waste reductions. Suunto also uses GoGreen shipping option, which is a carbon-neutral for express customers of DHL and Deutsche Post.  Suunto encourages employees to bike to work by providing cycles as a work benefit.

Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Americas

Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Americas (ASWO), located in Ogden, Utah, partners with several local organizations, for instance one of which mission is to promote, plan and preserve trails and open space in and around the local community. ASWO is also a member of the committee to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in Utah. ASWO’s employees have founded their own Green Committee, which meets regularly to review the company’s performance concerning environmental targets and to consider new opportunities. Similar committees also are in place at Amer Sports Sourcing and Arc’teryx headquarters in Vancouver.