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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

New Age Leads Charge Among Distributors in Removing Electronic Waste Through a Greener Supply Chain

 

Supply Chain and Logistics Innovator Highlights Four Ways it Works with CE Manufacturers and Retailers To Extend Conservation Initiatives

 

Carson, Calif. – September 17, 2007 – New Age Electronics, Inc. (New Age), a leading solution and logistics provider delivering an unsurpassed supply chain model to consumer technology retailers and vendors, is leading the charge among consumer electronics distributors to reduce electronic waste and create a greener supply chain for a more environmentally friendly future. Through its role in helping large consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers manage nearly every facet of the supply chain, New Age is uniquely positioned to help its partners extend important conservation efforts once products leave the factory floor or outlive their retail shelf life.

 

Several New Age customers have been recognized for their efforts in creating programs that promote energy efficient design; develop green manufacturing facilities; make effective use of resources to conserve raw materials and facilitate recycling; and replace potentially harmful substances with non-toxic materials.

 

However, once these products leave the manufacturer’s floor or outlive their retail shelf life, the responsibility to continue conservation efforts falls into the hands of channel management solutions providers such as New Age, who take on responsibility for the products serving as both distributors and product managers.

 

Following are four ways New Age is making a difference:

 

1. Creative Repackaging Programs – Through creative repackaging and product bundling programs, distributors can help partners not only increase profitability, but also eliminate waste by finding creative opportunities to move old or returned product back into the retail mix. For instance, products that have outlived their retail shelf life can be paired and packaged with complimentary products such as a digital camera and mobile printer to make the offer more attractive for the consumer.

 

2. Waste-Saving Refurbishment Programs – Distributors can also refurbish products in need of repair, recovering the highest percentage of original parts and accessories possible to re-use in finished goods. By procuring only the parts and accessories needed, distributors can ensure minimal waste is created during the process. The result – fully functional products are returned to retail channels in original full color packaging and with original warranties – assuring quality along with 10 to 15 percent lower prices.

 

3. Conscientious Recycling Programs – While some waste is inevitable, distributors can ensure scrap units are sent to the recycler, dismantled to separate plastics and metals, and provided to industries that can re-use the materials in production. Similar processes can be employed for paper, cardboard and polystyrene packaging.

 

4. More Efficient Logistics Management – Through their expertise in logistics management, distributors can help minimize product touch points, which in turn saves on fuel consumption and associated pollution and ultimately aids conservation efforts by helping eliminate damage to the ecosphere. By working with a variety of manufacturers, distributors have the ability to ship an assortment of products and brands to retailers in a single truckload often from a local distribution center, reducing emissions and further helping conserve the environment.

 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly three million tons of consumer electronic waste – including computers and peripherals, televisions, cell phones and other electronics – was generated in 2003 alone, the latest year for which statistics are available. Experts predict this figure has increased significantly in recent years as consumers continue to replace electronic products at a rapid clip. Many products contain lead as well as other potential toxics, which can be harmful to the environment, and New Age is committed to working aggressively with its partners to do its part in creating a greener future.

 

“New Age understands the importance of creating and implementing consumer electronic conservation programs and we are extremely proud to partner with manufacturers and retailers who are taking an aggressive stand in helping preserve the environment,” said Lee Perlman, CEO and Chairman of New Age Electronics. “We feel it is our calling to extend these programs where our customers leave off. We’ve been tapped to fill an important role as it pertains to the distribution and management of these products, and we are fiercely committed to taking creative approaches geared towards keeping these products in use and out of landfills.”

 

About New Age Electronics, Inc.
New Age Electronics is a sales and supply chain solutions innovator that provides consumer technology (CT) manufacturers with a broad offering of logistics, distribution and remanufacturing services. Extensive experience in the CT industry and a customer-centric approach has made New Age the provider of choice for manufacturers such as HP, Panasonic, Kodak and Sharp, and national and regional retailers such as Big Lots, Aaron’s Rents and Nebraska Furniture Mart. New Age distinguishes itself with extremely efficient operations and relentless focus on customer satisfaction. Founded in 1988, New Age is headquartered in Carson, Calif. For more information on New Age, call (310) 549-0000, toll-free (888) 234-0300 or visit the company’s Web site at www.newageinc.com.