Close the Loop - About Us

About Close the Loop

Close the Loop is dedicated to making the Circular Economy a reality by providing best-in-class sustainability solutions to companies that want to enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility through effective and efficient recovery and re-use of valuable resources from their products. With a steadfast commitment to zero waste to landfill, the company draws on its strength in innovation to handle even the most challenging materials. Close the Loop’s global footprint includes strategically located operations centres and a broad network of sustainability-minded, cost-efficient partners, making its services a clear choice for companies on every continent. Close the Loop helps companies:

Get the most from a new or existing sustainability program

Audit efficiencies of existing take-back, logistics, processing and recovery services
Uncover hidden value in materials choices and other upstream design decisions
Implement product traceability throughout the end-of-life stage
Ensure accordance with government sustainability regulations
Streamline global logistics to be cost efficient and environmentally friendly

Use sustainability programs to increase market share

Discover untapped insights about product usage through proprietary Business Intelligence Software
Set up customer loyalty programs
Identify fraudulent activity

Fulfill commitments to brand stewardship

Protect the intellectual property of the brand
Manage warranty return programs
Provide services supporting product recalls
Design solutions for hard to recycle materials
Provide a safe and environmentally responsible disposition of product with zero waste to landfill

History

Close the Loop (CtL) is an international company headquartered in Australia with operations in Australia, New Zealand, United States and Europe based in Belgium. Now employing more than 200 people, the CtL is recognised as the global leader in imaging consumables takeback programs. Founded in 2001 with a zero waste to landfill brand promise, CtL has successfully adhered to that promise. In 2003, Close the Loop partnered with Planet Ark to create the Cartridges for Planet Ark (C4PA) program. This program is one of the most successful voluntary stewardship programs in the world. In 2007, Close the Loop took the success they had in Australia and expanded to the United States. Here they expanded the relationships they had with the imaging companies and began to service their sustainability initiatives on a global level. Then again in 2016, Close the Loop acquired Clozdloop BVBA, a company based in Belgium who's services aligned with CtL's. Known globally for being a resource recovery and sustainability solutions provider, CtL helps major imaging companies become sustainability pace-setters within the industry. Today, Close the Loop translates that success and experience across all industries, in all regions of the world. CtL is broadening their horizons managing other streams that leverage our existing skills and adding new capabilities to the business while staying true to their core values of transparency, innovation and integrity.

Board of Directors

Craig Devlin – Non-Executive Director and Chairman

Craig was appointed to the Close the Loop Board in June 2001 and appointed as company Chairman in 2009. He has 43 years’ experience as a practicing accountant and management consultant. He was the founder of Devlin & Co, Accountants, and is currently the principal of Devlin Business Development Group Pty Ltd. Craig serves on several Boards as either director or Chairman. Craig holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University, a Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne and a Diploma of Corporate Management from AICS. He is a Certified Practicing Accountant, and a registered tax agent.

Silvio Salom - Director

Silvio was appointed to Director at Close the Loop in December 2007. Silvio sits on numerous boards and advisor groups in various positions. Silvio holds a Bachelor from Monash University, a Master of Engineering Science from Melbourne University and a Master of Fine Art from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Robert Parry-Jones – Group Chief Executive Officer

Rob joined Close the Loop in October 2013. Rob has been based in the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and the US prior to moving to Australia in 2009 and has held responsibility for businesses across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the US, and Australia, ranging from start-up to in excess of $1bn in turnover. Rob has a strong track record of building efficient and successful companies and his sector background spans Biotechnology, Medical Devices, and Automotive as well as Hi-Tech Electronics. Rob holds a Master of Science from Aston Business School in the UK and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Marc Lichtenstein – Chief Financial Offer and Company Secretary

Marc joined Close the Loop in May 2017 as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of the Group and reports to the Board and CEO. Over the past 24 years Marc has become a highly experienced Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary providing various services to a range of listed public and large private Companies across a wide range of industries. Marc has extensive experience in leading businesses through significant periods of change, particularly in the areas of business transformation and performance improvement including IPOs, significant capital raises, exponential periods of growth and major acquisitions. Marc was born and educated in South Africa but has spent his entire working life in Australia where he is qualified as a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Secretary and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Steve Morriss – Founder, Non-Executive Director

Steve has been a pioneer of Sustainability and the Circular Economy and has gained a number of awards in the area. His 25 years experience in cartridge collection led to him becoming the Founder of Close the Loop. His passion for innovation led to the invention of products such as eWood® and TonerPave® which in turn have meant that Close the Loop has been able to develop into the global leading Sustainability Solutions Provider that it is today.

Greg Toll – Director

Greg was appointed director at Close the Loop in November 2017. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science (Veterinary) Degree with First Class Honours from Sydney University and is Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is the former CEO and Executive Chairman of Clean TeQ Holdings Limited. Greg was appointed as CEO in 2007 until 2010, and subsequently appointed to the Chariman’s role until November 2013. Greg previously had senior executive positions in R&D, sales and marketing with Uncle Bens’, Masterfoods, Nestle and Lion Nathan.

Strategic Team

Tom Ogonek – Chief Operating Officer

Tom joined Close the Loop in 2011, bringing more than 20 years of valuable operations experience and environmental industry perspective to the leadership team. In his role, Tom oversees all aspects of global operations. Tom is responsible for driving continuous improvement of operating efficiencies and facility management in all global operating centers, meeting financial growth goals, and growing the business through relationships with new and existing clients. With a background in chemistry and manufacturing, Tom’s insight and experience are valuable to the company’s vision to further diversify the business.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology from Northern Kentucky University. He currently works as an adjunct professor at Cincinnati State in the Center for Innovative Technology and serves on the Industry Alumni and Student Advisory Board at Northern Kentucky University’s Engineering Technology Program.

Malcolm Davidson - Chief Engineering Officer (CEngO)

Since joining in the company in 2011, Malcolm has been leading Close the Loop’s Project Engineering, Equipment Sourcing and Installation strategies as well as Technical Assessments of current and future operations. His background is a balanced combination of leadership roles and valuable industry experience including more than 30 years experience in agriculture, manufacturing and sourcing in Australia, Africa, USA and Asia. Malcom also brings leadership experience in operational, technical and CEO roles where he specialised in company turn-arounds, restructuring, productivity improvements and general management.

Malcom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics (Hons) and an MBA from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.

Kesh Nair – Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Kesh joined Close the Loop in 2008. Kesh provides leadership for the strategic development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology across all of Close the Loop’s global operations sites.

Since joining the company, Kesh successfully expanded and enhanced the company’s IT infrastructure to optimize Close the Loop’s premier sustainability solutions. He also helped architect the company’s resource recovery initiatives in the Business Intelligence space, creating unforeseen added value for customers.

Previously Kesh ran the IT systems for the Education Department at La Trobe University, directing the management of information systems, applications development, computer operations and technical support. Kesh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Business Systems.

Megan Elfers – Director of Marketing

Megan leads the global marketing efforts for Close the Loop, helping increase awareness and secure the global reputation of the company. She joined Close the Loop in 2010 as part of the sales team, where she spent years working closely with some of the company’s biggest customers, helping create programs to meet their sustainability and brand stewardship goals. Her experience on the front lines of the sales force gives her invaluable insight for creating powerful and strategic marketing strategies to globally promote Close the Loop’s capabilities.

Megan earned an MBA degree with a focus marketing from Northern Kentucky University. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Communications at Thomas More College in Kentucky.

David Hitzler – Technical Manager

David joined Close the Loop in September 2014, bringing 23 years experience as an industrial chemist with extensive product development, formulating and raw material knowledge. In his role at Close the Loop, he applies his expertise as a material and process scientist to help customers uncover new value within product design, development and commercialization decisions. Leading the technical aspects of the innovation team, David is responsible for research and development in creating valuable products from waste materials – in essence developing novel re-use applications for materials recovered from the cartridge recycling process, particularly recovered waste toner and other plastics.

David’s broad knowledge of process design and machinery, covering materials handling, mixing and size reduction technology help shape Close the Loop services and inform decisions for future offerings. David earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry from RMIT University.

Certifications & Standards

Focused on a brand promise of zero waste to landfill, Close the Loop is committed to handling all products in an environmentally friendly manner and aligned to the highest global standards. Known for innovation, Close the Loop has been recognized with many awards and certifications that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and dedication to the environment. These awards reflect the demanding work by all members of the Close the Loop team and the support of our many partners. Close the Loop holds the following Accreditations and Certifications:

Australia

ISO 9001:2018, ISO14001:2018, OHSAS 18001:2019 & AS/NZS 4801:2019

Europe

ISO 9001:2018, ISO 14001:2018, OHSAS 18001:2018 & KBS certificate from OVAM 2019

United States

ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007 & Responsible Recycling (R2) Rev. 7/2013

Awards

Through always striving for excellence, Close the Loop has been recognised with many awards that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and dedication to the environment.

These awards reflect the hard work by all members of the Close the Loop team and the support of our many partners.

2016 Awarded Sustainability Leader with Manufacturing Leadership 100 awards along with Lexmark for our collaboration on the TonerPave project
2016 Inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame
2013 Awarded Gold at DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation US
2012 Awarded Planet Ark C4PA ZWTL Certificate
2011 Finalist – Steve Morriss – Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
2011 Hume City Council Business Awards – Environmental Sustainability - eWood Solutions
2009 Awarded Lexmark Green Partner (USA) view the award
2008 Awarded Kentucky Chamber of Commerce award view the award
2008 Winner Hume City Council Sustainability Awards
2006 Winner United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) World Environment Day Awards 2006 Best Specific Environmental Initiative view the award
2006 Winner PACIA (Plastics And Chemicals Industry Association) Sustainability Award
2005 Winner New Inventors “people’s choice” award for our episode in August 2005 for the product – eWood® view the award
2005 Finalist IAG Supplier of the Year
2004 Finalist Premier’s Sustainability Awards (Victorian Government)
2003 Winner City Pride Awards (business sustainability) Whittlesea City Council
2003 Winner Import Replacement Award June 2003. Presented by the Industry Capability Network (Victoria) Ltd.
2003 Awarded Ricoh Green Partner (Australia)

Mission Statement

“Close the Loop will be the globally preferred ‘premier sustainability solutions provider’. It will provide secure recovery models for consumer take-back programs specialising in complex waste streams while providing a safe and productive working environment for its employees.”

Vision

The business will have a customer base spread across multiple industry sectors and multiple geographies around the world, where it will provide customer support, logistics, sort, data analysis, end-of-life and repurposing services. In doing so, CtL will provide added value to the customer’s own business models. This will be achieved by building a management team capable of operating and growing a multinational business. Capital investment will be sought to stay ahead of the market place as well as internal demands, while the business will also seek to acquire companies to grow rapidly by sector and by geography.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Close the Loop (CtL), as a member of the international business community, recognizes that its business activities have an impact on the quality of people’s lives, not only today but in the future. Our license to operate is granted by all members of the communities within which we operate. By acknowledging this, we can live up to the expectations of all our stakeholders and future generations. The company is dedicated to enhancing the environmental outcomes or reducing the environmental impacts of its customers in ways that are commercially sustainable on a long-term basis. We are committed to ensuring that our business is conducted in all respects according to rigorous ethical, professional, and legal standards. Our objective is to reduce our impact on the environment including factors contributing to climate change, through a commitment to continual improvement and to comply with environmental legislation and regulations.