Industry Insights

The Corporate Environmental Function as a Source of Capital

During the current period of tight credit markets, Cameron-Cole’s clients must be creative to find sources of capital and to stretch existing capital sources.

As a creative source of capital, organizations are finding that it is possible to outsource activities employing an “as-needed” approach for items that previously consumed capital. In essence this involves piggy-backing on someone else’s capital.

For example, Cameron-Cole employs an advanced, Web-based data management and automated reporting system for its own projects to reduce costs in data handling, eliminate errors and to maintain data security and accessibility. This system is the product of over $1.5 million of capital investment by Cameron-Cole. However, the proportional use of the system by new users, even with some specific application development, is very low (as low as $500 per month) in operating cost and maintenance. The initial data load-up cost can also be adjusted so that the threshold cost to move to the system is not a barrier at the outset. The ultimate benefit is that a client would avoid (or delay) its own capital outlay, while gaining the full benefit of the investment that has already been made and the documented successful operating experience. Another benefit is that the client’s environmental function gets use of a system that is specifically designed for environmental data.

In the area of site remedial technologies, Cameron-Cole offers creative approaches that permit select clients to enjoy the benefits of remediation technology components for only the cost of the design, installation, operation, maintenance, monitoring and reporting services.

This shared investment approach permits clients to deploy scarce capital to other areas and gain a competitive advantage during this challenging period.