The company NIKE, with factories and logistics centres spread internationally, becomes an example to follow by making large investments in technology and sustainable business practices. In 2012, it created the NIKE Materials Sustainability Index, and a year earlier in 2011, the company achieved LEED Platinum certification for its logistics centre in Taicang (China), the company's largest distribution centre in Asia.
Valued at 19 billion dollars, the world's largest supplier of clothing, equipment, and sports footwear owns and operates factories and logistics centres internationally. From an environmental perspective, Nike has invested heavily in sustainable technology and business practices. In 2012, Nike created the publicly available NIKE Materials Sustainability Index to track the environmental impact of the purchase, use and marketing of its raw materials and products.
In 2011, the company achieved LEED Platinum certification for its China Logistics Centre located in Taicang (China), the company's largest distribution centre in Asia. In the 200,000 square meter facilities, the logistics of all domestic shipments of Nike products destined for Chinese consumers are managed. It is China's first LEED Platinum warehouse, and is expected to create 1,500 permanent jobs in Taicang. It is also the 7th largest Nike distribution centre.
The space embodies the spirit of economic growth and environmental sustainability. China is the second-largest consumer of Nike products, and the goal of this logistics centre is to meet the growing demand in that country. With this space, Nike demonstrates its long-term commitment, especially through energy savings, with an estimated saving of up to 4,400,000 kilowatts of electricity each year, thanks to the use of efficient lighting, an in-house solar heating system and ample access to natural lighting, among other amenities. At the same time, these savings are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 4,200 tonnes per year. The centre also has a real-time display where you can see the achieved electrical savings.
Sustainability was central to the design and construction of the facilities. Shanghai Pacific Energy Center (SPEC) was the LEED consultant for the project and worked closely with the Nike team from project conception to completion. Most of the materials used were procured within 800 km of the project construction site. The general contractor recycled 97% of the waste produced during construction, and 50% of the wood products used were FCS certified. The raw materials from the plant that would normally become production waste are sent to the paper mill located 10 km away to be reused and recycled.
The facilities are also water efficient and are designed to reduce annual consumption by 80 % compared to initial consumption. Around the facilities there are three artificial ponds to collect runoff and rainwater, which is reused for watering the plants and as an emergency sprinkler in case of fire.
The new China Logistics Center constitutes Nike's commitment to China to develop its activities in the geography of Mainland China with practices that take the environment into account
Nike's Taicang Logistics Centre is a model for other companies to follow and is a real testament to a new era of corporate branding through sustainability. With this logistics centre, Nike continues to demonstrate that it is still a profitable company that actively works for sustainability. According to Craig Cheek, Vice President and General Manager of Greater China for Nike, Inc., "The new China Logistics Center represents Nike's commitment to developing its activities in Mainland China with environmentally conscious practices." China is Nike's second-largest single market, and we will continue working to achieve our goal of doubling our revenue here in 2015.
Source: USGBC
