Rapid Growth in Sustainability Market Drives Merger of Leading Players

STUTTGART, Germany and BOULDER, Colo., June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Two sustainability leaders, PE INTERNATIONAL, a preeminent provider of sustainability management software and expert consulting services, and Five Winds International, one of the world's most experienced sustainability management consulting firms, announced they have merged to enable market penetration in North America and bring Five Winds Consulting Services to a global audience.

The merger addresses the steep growing demand in the market for business solutions that drive improvements in product-level and enterprise-wide sustainability performance.  Businesses are integrating sustainability principles into their operations to manage supply chain opportunities and risks arising from climate change, water shortages, energy demand and other sustainability issues. According to research firm Forrester the market is growing at 83% per annum and is forecasted to reach $903 million by 2013.

The new combined company will provide strategic management advisory services coupled with technology solutions to the North American market and will roll out Five Winds Strategic Consulting methodologies and processes through all PE INTERNATIONAL companies across the globe.

"There is a strong demand for integrated consulting services and technology solutions that allow clients to identify cost savings and take advantage of new revenue and growth opportunities," said Michael Betz, CEO PE INTERNATIONAL. "PE INTERNATIONAL and Five Winds currently share a number of client relationships like Kraft Foods, Carnival Corporation and Johnson & Johnson demonstrating the complimentary value that we can now bring to our customers. As one organization we have the people, enterprise sustainability solutions and capabilities to enable valuable business transformations for our customers."

PE INTERNATIONAL recently announced that it raised 10.8 million USD in venture capital funding from Siemens Venture Capital and the European investment company Gimv.  The investment will fund the ambitious growth plans of the combined organization, and further develop its software plus services platform. The sustainability solution platform combines Five Winds' extensive sustainability management consulting services such as strategy development and implementation, advanced benchmarking content, product innovation processes and tools with the innovative sustainability IT portfolio of PE INTERNATIONAL. PE's solution portfolio includes GaBi software solutions for product sustainability (life cycle assessment and product footprints) and SoFi software solutions for managing corporate sustainability.

"C-level executive clients are looking for integrated services and software solutions that enable them to implement sustainability strategies that drive growth," said John Heckman, Managing Director of the combined organization's North America business, PE INTERNATIONAL, Inc. "Through the long-standing experience in management consulting and the deep understanding of industry processes in our two organizations we are providing the platform for companies to promote innovation and manage supply chain risks."

The merger is the natural progression of a long-term collaboration between the two companies that began with a strategic alliance in 1998. In 2006, the companies founded a joint venture, PE Americas, to bring together the strength of PE INTERNATIONAL's software solutions and services with the expertise of Five Winds in sustainability consulting for North America.

About PE INTERNATIONAL

PE INTERNATIONAL is a leader in software solutions, strategic consultancy and extensive services in the field of sustainability. With 20 years of experience and 20 offices across the globe, PE INTERNATIONAL serves more than 1,500 customers including Allianz, Bayer, Daimler, Levis Strauss, Motorola, Deutsche Post DHL, Siemens, HP, Intel, Timberland, Toyota Volkswagen, BP, Celanese, Cisco, Eastman Chemical, ExxonMobil, GM, Herman Miller, Kraft Foods, and more.  For more information: www.pe-international.com  

About Five Winds International

Five Winds International is one of the world's most experienced sustainability-focused management consulting firms. Founded in 1998 with 7 offices in North America and Europe, the company's goal is to help clients understand sustainability, improve their performance and succeed in the marketplace. The firm's best practice techniques, tools and processes have helped well-respected firms achieve leadership in sustainability, including SC Johnson, DuPont, Diversey, 3M, Johnson & Johnson, L'Oreal, Carnival Corporation, InterfaceFLOR, Kraft Foods, Rio Tinto, BASF, Wrigley, Armstrong World Industries, and more.  For more information: www.fivewinds.com

SOURCE PE INTERNATIONAL