Solutions in Systems
Our approach to identifying and addressing all types of waste has led to systems improvements as well. The Considered ethos is not only removing waste from product design but is also helping Nike examine waste at every step of our business processes.
What we learned from our packaging and corrugated cardboard project caused us to rethink the shoebox. But we also applied that thinking to our business systems. We began to look at our purchase of corrugated cardboard across Nike, not only in footwear but in apparel and equipment, and not only in Nike-branded product but across our affiliates. In each of these areas, we purchased various cardboard products separately for different needs.
We came to see that, viewed together, corrugated cardboard was one of NIKE, Inc.'s largest materials purchases. By buying separately, we failed to share developments in design and waste reductions, and unnecessarily limited the scale to which we could apply new findings and approaches.
Combining these areas and purchasing cardboard as a commodity we believe will allow Nike to achieve scale and to influence our supply chain to consider using new materials and lighter-weight construction.