Environmental Plant Optimization in Small Sized Enterprises through an Operative Framework

Environmental performance is fast becoming a key issue for brand selection both for consumer and for industrial markets (Kleindorfen et al., 2002). In certain market segments customers use often environmental criteria in selecting one brand over another, while in current industrial context supplier selection is often based also on vendors’ environmental performances (Cushing et al, 2005; Corbett and Kirsh, 2001). This paper is finalized to explore the possible impacts related to ISO 14000 implementation on Small or Medium sized Enterprise (SMEs) and their implications also in terms of how these regulations can impact on plant utilities and structures. In the first part of the work we propose a deep analysis of the motivations that can lead SMEs to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) with related direct and indirect eco-efficiency benefits on plant performances. In the second part we propose a framework oriented to setup specific environmental indicators for a faster development of an EMS. An industrial case related to the application of some of these indicators has been conducted in an automotive production site, where the approach allowed to define specific environmental indicators for better monitoring and reducing of the highest impacts.