BELLEVUE, Wash., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Outerwall Inc.
(Nasdaq: OUTR), a leader in automated retail, today released its
third annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, which
outlines its 2013 efforts and long-term goals to cultivate an
exceptional workplace, support local communities, and reduce
environmental impacts. The report is now available online at
outerwall.com/responsibility.
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In 2013, Outerwall made changes to the leadership team,
introduced a new brand identity and acquired ecoATM while working
to further integrate CSR across its operations.
"As our business evolves, we remain focused on our employees,
our communities and the environment," said J. Scott Di Valerio, chief executive officer at
Outerwall. "In 2013, we looked inward to better understand our
impact, drawing inspiration from our community and retail partners
to boldly innovate and develop sustainable solutions. We'll
continue working with employees to explore new opportunities to
drive efficiencies and create shared value."
In 2010, Outerwall set a goal to reduce operational greenhouse
gas emissions intensity by 15 percent by 2015. Transportation used
to service the company's kiosks accounts for roughly half of its
overall carbon footprint. In 2013, Outerwall's Coinstar business
expanded its use of hybrid vehicles, which now represent 86 percent
of its passenger fleet. Additionally, the company's Redbox
logistics team continued to benefit from a routing optimization
initiative implemented in 2012; while its Redbox® kiosk count
increased last year, total miles driven to service kiosks
decreased. Coupled with other efforts, Outerwall reduced its
greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 22 percent last year,
exceeding its 2015 goal ahead of schedule.
To further curb environmental impacts, Outerwall also aims to
reduce average kiosk energy use by 15 percent by 2015. By
implementing kiosk design changes that minimize lighting needs,
Outerwall is improving kiosk efficiency. For example, in 2013 the
company installed timers in Redbox kiosks, enabling lighting to be
turned off when retail stores are closed or foot traffic is
minimal. The company also eliminated the need for some lighting
features on its Coinstar® kiosks, resulting in a 29 percent
reduction in average kiosk energy use. Across its lines of
business, Outerwall reduced average kiosk energy use by 1 percent
in 2013.
Beyond its environmental efforts, Outerwall elevated its
commitment to local communities in 2013, increasing corporate
charitable giving and employee participation in volunteer
opportunities. Last year the company met its goal to donate 1
percent of the previous year's after-tax profits to charitable
causes, contributing more than $1.5
million in cash and in-kind donations to community
organizations. In 2013 Outerwall also succeeded in mobilizing 28
percent of employees to participate in company-sponsored volunteer
events, continuing to build momentum toward its goal of engaging
one-third of the workforce in volunteerism by 2015.
"At Outerwall we believe in cultivating an inclusive work
environment where employees are empowered to take an active role in
CSR initiatives," said Nicole
Trimble, Outerwall's senior director of corporate
responsibility. "We work to help provide employees with access to
opportunities that will support their personal and professional
development while enriching our communities and protecting the
environment. In doing so, we're also able to advance our business
objectives."
About Outerwall Inc.
Outerwall Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTR)
has more than 20 years of experience creating some of the most
profitable spaces for their retail partners. The company mission is
to create a better everyday by delivering breakthrough kiosk
experiences that delight consumers and generate revenue for
retailers. As the company that brought consumers Redbox®
entertainment, Coinstar® money services, and ecoATM® electronics
recycling kiosks, Outerwall is leading the next generation of
automated retail and paving the way for inventive, scalable
businesses. Outerwall™ kiosks are in neighborhood grocery stores,
drug stores, mass merchants, malls, and other retail locations in
the United States, Canada, Puerto
Rico, the United Kingdom,
and Ireland. Learn more at
www.outerwall.com.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. The words "believe," "will," "expect," "intend,"
"anticipate" and variations of such words, and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not
mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking
statements in this release include statements regarding Outerwall's
corporate social responsibility initiatives. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future actions, results,
performance or events, which may vary materially from those
expressed or implied in such statements. Differences may result
from actions taken by Outerwall or its management, as well as from
risks and uncertainties beyond its control. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in
Outerwall's strategic and financial objectives, and the ability to
attract new retailers, penetrate new markets and distribution
channels and react to changing consumer demands. The foregoing list
of risks and uncertainties is illustrative but by no means
exhaustive. For more information on factors that may affect
Outerwall, please review "Risk Factors" and other disclosures
described in Outerwall's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as well as other public filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking
statements reflect Outerwall's expectations as of the date of this
release. Outerwall undertakes no obligation to update the
information provided herein.
SOURCE Outerwall Inc.