Sustainable Apparel Coalition Selects Schneider Electric as Development Partner for Higg Index 2.0 Online Platform for Apparel and Footwear Industries
Louisville, KY (PRWEB) September 24, 2013 -- Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, announced today that it has teamed with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to develop and implement a dynamic web-based solution for the SAC’s sustainability assessment tool, the Higg Index 2.0. Utilizing Schneider Electric’s sustainability and energy management software platform, StruxureWare™ Resource Advisor, this web-based tool will mark a ground-breaking moment for the apparel and footwear industries.
“Finding the right software solution and sustainability partner were critical in our pursuit in taking the Higg Index to the next level,” said Jason Kibbey, Executive Director of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. “Schneider Electric displayed a firm understanding of our goals and mission for the Higg Index 2.0. Along with the superior functionality of Resource Advisor, we believe this partnership will increase usability and sustainability decision-making for our members.”
The Higg Index is a self-assessment tool designed to measure the sustainability impacts of apparel and footwear products, with objectives to:
- Facilitate industry-wide adoption of the Higg Index
- Develop a logical, scalable, affordable and fair model to provide access to the tools for the entire supply chain
- Encourage radical supply chain transparency
“The work of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition continues to transform the apparel and footwear industry as we know it, and we are honored to contribute to this important mission,” said Steve Wilhite, Senior Vice President, Supply & Sustainability at Schneider Electric. “By combining the technology foundation of Resource Advisor with the industry-leading elements of the Higg Index, the SAC and its members will advance their status as true leaders in social consciousness and supply chain transparency.”
The SAC’s membership includes some of the best known global footwear and apparel brands, retailers, and suppliers. With Schneider Electric as its development partner, the SAC now has additional resources to focus on the organizations goals to:
- Understand and quantify the sustainability impacts of apparel and footwear products
- Reduce redundancy in measuring sustainability in apparel and footwear industries
- Drive business value through reducing risk and uncovering efficiencies
- Create a common means and language to communicate sustainability to stakeholders
Schneider Electric will be showcasing its sustainability services at the Retail Industry Leaders Association's 2013 Retail Sustainability Conference in Orlando, Florida, September 30 - October 3, in Booth #323.
About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Building, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company's 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of 30.8 billion US dollars (24 billion euros) in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.
http://www.schneider-electric.com/us
About the Sustainable Apparel Coalition
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, representing more than one-third of the global apparel and footwear industries, was formed by sustainability leaders and leading environmental and social organizations to address current social and environmental challenges. Recognizing that improved supply chain practices are both a business imperative and an opportunity, the Coalition seeks to lead a shared vision of industry supply chain sustainability through the creation and use of the Higg Index. In measuring and evaluating apparel and footwear product sustainability performance through the Higg Index, the Coalition aims to spotlight priorities for action and opportunities for technological innovation.
Steve Flores, Schneider Electric, http://www.schneider-electric.com, +1 (502) 614-2404, [email protected]
Share this article