MADISON, Wis. — CUNA Mutual Group said more than a year and a half of restructuring is on track to save the company $11 million over the next two years.
CUNA Mutual just released its initial results of a companywide effort to streamline several internal operations that aim to promote efficiency, protect the environment and support local nonprofits. Through an initiative called "UPLIFT, operational departments spent nearly two years analyzing internal operations and practices, identifying strategies to reduce waste, and implementing new efficiencies that will result in environmental and operational savings, the company said.
Highlights of the effort include reducing office copy/print usage from 38 million to 26 million pages per year, equating to 435 trees at 23,000 pieces of paper per tree. CUNA Mutual said it has also recycled 850 of 1,100 skids of obsolete or unused print material (1.6 million pounds) that was stored in warehouses, eliminating the cost of storage and inventory and risk of out-of-date materials reaching a customer.
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CUNA Mutual has also removed, recycled or donated the majority of 500 desktop printers that cost four to seven times the price per print compared to the new multi-function printers, the company said. The new printers are expected to save CUNA Mutual more than $500,000 each year.
Overall, UPLIFT is expected to save the company $3 million in 2006 and $8 million in 2007, CUNA Mutual said.
"We have made tremendous strides to create a company that competes successfully and profitably in a constantly changing, increasingly competitive marketplace," said Christopher Roe, CUNA Mutual vice president.
In addition to significant operational successes, UPLIFT has resulted in the donation of $30,000 worth of equipment to local nonprofits.
On Aug. 22 CUNA Mutual employees were given the chance to further support UPLIFT by participating in a "Blue Jean Bash," which raised funds for a local nonprofit organization. Employees purchased the opportunity to wear jeans and have some fun by taking a bat to outdated printers being recycled and replaced by more efficient and cost-effective multi-purpose machines.
Employee funds raised during the bash along with matching funds from the CUNA Mutual Group Foundation, were donated to Sustain Dane, a local nonprofit, environmental organization aimed at creating sustainable communities. Bryant Moroder, executive director of Sustain Dane, said funds raised through this effort will be used to help re-launch their Web site in early September to highlight area businesses engaging in sustainable activities.
CUNA Mutual said UPLIFT is one of several key projects under way to ensure the growth, efficiency and long-term success of the company.
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