" Ernest looks beyond the obvious to explore all aspects of a project. Then, they transition from ideas to solutions."
Bruce McMahon, Vice President of Logistics
Eric Reddish, General Manager

Regis Corporation is the beauty industry’s global leader in beauty salons, hair restoration centers, cosmetology education and professional hair-care products. They are also leaders in matters of environmental stewardship.

With more than 10,000 salons in North America, their daily product shipments consume a staggering amount of packaging materials. Which is why Regis asked Ernest to evaluate their overall packaging processes.

While Ernest’s recommendation to change from a polyurethane-based inner cushioning material to a paper-based product will actually yield savings of approximately 30%, as well as improved product protection, there is more. Regis accomplished their most important goal: transitioning into a completely sustainable packaging alternative.

" Sustainability, source reduction and savings. Ernest is a great partner – and I don’t mean vendor, I mean partner."
Dennis White, Operations Manager

Meticulous craftsmanship and a commitment to excellence are the core principles underlying Kalco’s leadership position in the decorative lighting industry. Indeed, Kalco transforms any fixture from a functional existence to an original piece of art.

Kalco’s philosophy extends to their strong sense of responsibility concerning matters of sustainable packaging, where they turned to Ernest for help. The recommendation may sound simple in concept: reduce the footprint of packages by eliminating the traditional crates in favor of a custom-designed, 100% curbside-recyclable corrugated carton, and reduce the thickness of stretch film. In development, the solution actually involved complex studies, multiple prototypes and testing.

In implementation, the amount of source reduction is huge, both in production and at job sites. The amount of energy savings is considerable. The amount of savings on freight costs is substantial. Some might call it a triple; we see it as a home run.

" Ernest delivers beyond our expectations. They really understand our needs… and our customers' needs."
Nick R. Van Hoogmoed, General Manager

Dean Foods/Swiss Dairy is the nation’s largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products, as well as the leading manufacturer of soymilk, organic milk, and other organic foods.

For many years, Swiss Dairy and Ernest have tackled the challenges of dairy product packaging together, balancing the need for quality with the goals of cost management. So it came as no surprise when Ernest was asked to evaluate the potential of changing milk carton outer packaging from corrugated master cartons to stretch wrapped multi-packs. The results also came as no surprise. Eliminating the corrugated would also eliminate its precious insulating properties, such as extended transport time for the consumer as well as the dairy.

Instead, Ernest recommended a new corrugated shipper, made from 100% recycled kraft. Ultimately, Swiss Dairy, their customers and the environment are all the better for the change.

" In a business climate that is barraged with products claiming to be green, it’s hard to distinguish between real and faux. We can always count on Ernest to find the truth that’s not always in the advertising."
Matthew Lehrer, President

Teamwork Athletic Apparel is a leading manufacturer of athletic uniforms for men, women and children, with thousands of SKUs in inventory and overriding benchmarks of quality and value. Their mantra, “Beyond Exceptional”, is applied to every realm of their business, from customer service to production processes. It is also applied to the intensity with which they are adopting green operating standards.

Knowing of Teamwork’s philosophy and commitment, Ernest was honored when they were contacted for their green expertise in facilities management. As they replaced conventional cleaning chemicals, papers and systems with Green Seal™ certified products, Ernest knew that they were helping Teamwork to achieve their green goals. Ernest also knew that Teamwork would realize additional benefits such as better cleaning results, fewer odors, and reduced costs.

Beyond Exceptional? Maybe. Beyond the Obvious? Definitely.

" As innovators in our industry, we feel an inherent responsibility to take the lead on matters of environmental citizenship. Ernest is helping us on our journey."
Helge Biernath, President

Perceiving an unmet need for flexible solutions to large architectural openings, the founders of Nana Wall Systems delivered their first wood-framed, opening glass wall in 1986. Today, they are the dominant provider of opening glass walls in North America.

As innovators, Nana Wall is always striving for new solutions, in every aspect of their business. When they were seeking to reduce the footprint of their packaging on the planet, they asked Ernest for help.

Today, they have replaced crates that once consisted of petroleum-based products, wood, metal staples and foam inserts… with a 100% curbside-recyclable package that yields a better design, reduced shipping costs and improved product protection.

Innovators once again.

" We want to improve our environment, inside and out. With Ernest’s experience, we know we can achieve our green goals."
Kim Verdeaux, Commissioner
Jerry Shower, Superintendent

Located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Kings County encompasses more than one thousand square miles and many thousands of lives. With offices and departments ranging from law enforcement to schools and public health, the need for effective and cost-managed janitorial and sanitary programs is obvious. With their sheer numbers, the need for green cleaning solutions is all the more critical.

To achieve the County’s dual objectives, Ernest recommended replacing their many, conventional cleaning solvents with one single product; a bona fide, green-certified multi-purpose chemical. Today, Kings County can see better results through more efficient cleaning processes. And while they can’t see their results on the environment, they can be assured that they are indeed making a difference.

" Ernest crafts a solution to our every issue. Then, they go the extra mile to make sure it is perfect for our needs."
Dr. Charles A. Sims, Co-Founder and Medical Director
Gary D. Weinhouse, Esq., Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel

California Cryobank’s Family Cord Blood Services has pioneered a natural, controversy-free method of acquiring stem cells from umbilical cord blood, for many critical care applications.

To ensure viability, cord blood must maintain a specific temperature range from the time it is collected in the hospital’s labor and delivery room… to the time it is tested in Cryobank’s lab. Understanding the total challenge, Ernest went beyond the temperature-sensitive elements to also consider cord blood collection, packaging and shipping. The result is a unique kit comprised of integrated TempEndure™ components in a modular design to make it easier for patients, nurses and physicians to package and ship specimens.

Driven by compassion and technical know-how, both Family Cord Blood Services and its parent, California Cryobank, are helping an ever-growing number of people realize their dreams of raising healthy children. Ernest is proud to help in their quest.

" Ernest cares about more than their individual clients. They care about their local communities and even world communities. It’s a company of genuinely good people from top to bottom."
Jill Youse, Founder and Executive Director, International Breast Milk Project
Joe Fournell, Vice President, Operations, Prolacta Bioscience

The International Breast Milk Project provides US donor breast milk to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Africa, where it has been found that infants who receive breast milk will have a 6 times greater chance of survival in the first two months of life. Prolacta is the pioneer in human milk-based nutritional products for critically ill and premature infants. Together, they are working to make a difference in the lives of the world’s smallest and most vulnerable human beings.

So when Ernest had the opportunity to facilitate shipments of breast milk to Africa, knowing that their donation of TempEndure™ coolers would be used to directly provide orphans with a greater chance of survival – there was no question other than “how many would you like?”

" Ernest understands that our needs are complex and our standards are high. Still, they rise to the challenges and exceed our expectations."
Shawn M. Schaffer, Ph.D., Executive Director, Quality and Regulatory

As the producer and distributor of Dermagraft™, a break-through product for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, Advanced BioHealing is poised to expand its role as one of the premier regenerative medicine companies in the world. As their advisor on the critical elements of thermal protection, packaging and shipping, Ernest is poised to help.

Dermagraft™, a next-generation bioengineered tissue product, carries stringent temperature requirements of -75˚±10˚C for at least 96 hours during shipping and temporary storage. So from Ernest’s design of the TempEndure™ system, to assisting with the writing of related testing protocols, to sourcing portions of independent testing and validation… the results were what counted. Ultimately, it was Ernest’s understanding of the entire process, coupled with their willingness to take on every aspect, that made it possible to meet Advanced BioHealing’s needs.