Naturally Vitamins: Lean and Green Instead of Outsourcing Overseas.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2004

Environmental responsibility and the production of nutraceuticals go hand in hand, or so Phoenix-based Naturally Vitamins' president Joe Lehmann told IMPO magazine recently. And in light of today's crisis of outsourcing U.S. manufacturing abroad, the value of going lean and green is greater than ever. Manufacturers have cut payrolls for 43 months straight, and an estimated 1 million of the nearly 3 million jobs lost since 2001 have been outsourced overseas. "Re-engineering and streamlining manufacturing practices is not only better for the environment, it's a smart way to stay competitive, eliminating the need to outsource," said Lehman.

After taking the tour of Naturally Vitamins' green manufacturing facility and meeting with the staff, IMPO's editor in chief Rick Carter deemed the company worthy of a March 2004 cover story (Best Practices: Naturally Vitamins, Inc. Lean and Green -- www.impomag.com). As an example of lean and green efficiency, the article explains Naturally's green initiatives throughout the lifecycle of their products, including their energy-efficient gravity-feed system and their ecologically efficient use of solar panels and box recycling. "By using the latest in technology and procedural flow to remain environmentally friendly and naturally efficient," Lehmann said, "we're able to stay ahead of the curve while keeping jobs here, not overseas."

Outsourcing is a hot issue emotionally and politically, with loss of U.S. jobs and related costs savings the most common considerations. However, the lowering of work standards is another concern, since the same rules and regulations may not apply when jobs are outsourced to other countries. "Manufacturing quality takes on a new meaning when the product being made is for human consumption," wrote Carter. "This is true in any food industry, but it's especially true in the world of nutraceuticals, where products are designed to provide medical or health benefits." Although running a competitive operation and maintaining an environmentally friendly philosophy may sound mutually exclusive, Naturally's business model proves it's just good business. "Every penny needs to be effective and productive," Lehmann explained. "At the end of the day, it's still about return on investment."

IMPO magazine's March cover story, "Best Practices: Naturally Vitamins, Inc. Lean and Green," is available on the IMPO Web site: www.impomag.com. For more information on Naturally Vitamins' products and practices, call 888-284-2454 or visit www.naturally.com.