Continuously Improving Our Operational Efficiency
Caring for our environment isn’t just a nice-to or even a need-to, it’s woven into the very fabric of our company. Every decision we make looks through the lens of sustainability and how we can be better stewards of the resources our earth gives us. We constantly are looking for new ways to better our processes and decrease our carbon footprint.
Our Methods
Reusable Crates
We have invested in reusable crates for our work-in-progress materials, allowing us to forgo traditional cardboard boxes and move materials 60% faster, improving the efficiency of our forklifts. These crates were purchased refurbished, further reducing the carbon impact level.
Reduced Energy Consumption
We have invested in high-efficiency motor technology for our machinery by installing variable frequency drives (VFDs), which automatically reduces energy output during non-use times. Our legacy equipment has been outfitted with VFDs and any new equipment we bring features the technology, significantly decreasing the amount of energy we consume.
Compressed Air Program
We have reprogramed our air machines, which are used to keep motors from overheating and remove dust from workstations, with high-efficiency nozzles and pulsers that sends a spurt of air – instead of a constant stream – reducing energy output.
Motion Activated Lights
Working in partnership with Consumers Energy, we have replaced several areas of our facility with motion-activated LED lights to cut down on consumption when not in use. Currently, 75% of our facility utilizes high-efficiency LED lights, with a goal to reach 100% by 2025.
Air Circulation
We have installed technology that takes heat generated from our compressor and puts it back into our system, allowing us to reduce our dependence on traditional heating methods during cold months. We have also installed massive fans into our extrusion area that effectively keep heat from rising through the roof during the winter and keep spaces cooler in the summer.
Dust Collection System
Our state-of-the-art dust collection system allows us to recycle both material and reuse air for temperature control. The negative pressure system acts as a giant vacuum throughout our space collecting particle scrap material, which is then recycled. The air is filtered and can be sent back in during the winter for heating or kept out during the summer months.
Transport Packaging
Many of our retailers have bulk packaging requirements for distribution within their stores. Our buying team researched and is now sourcing plastic packaging bags with 25% post-consumer materials and corrugate boxes with 40% post-consumer material that use a closure system of glue instead of tape, cutting down on additional plastic usage.
Our Methods
Reusable Crates
Caring for our environment isn’t just a nice-to or even a need-to, it’s woven into the very fabric of our company. Every decision we make looks through the lens of sustainability and how we can be better stewards of the resources our earth gives us. We constantly are looking for new ways to better our processes and decrease our carbon footprint.
Reduced Energy Consumption
We have invested in high-efficiency motor technology for our machinery by installing variable frequency drives (VFDs), which automatically reduces energy output during non-use times. Our legacy equipment has been outfitted with VFDs and any new equipment we bring features the technology, significantly decreasing the amount of energy we consume.
Compressed Air Program
We have reprogramed our air machines, which are used to keep motors from overheating and remove dust from workstations, with high-efficiency nozzles and pulsers that sends a spurt of air – instead of a constant stream – reducing energy output.
Motion Activated Lights
Working in partnership with Consumers Energy, we have replaced several areas of our facility with motion-activated LED lights to cut down on consumption when not in use. Currently, 75% of our facility utilizes high-efficiency LED lights, with a goal to reach 100% by 2025.
Air Circulation
We have installed technology that takes heat generated from our compressor and puts it back into our system, allowing us to reduce our dependence on traditional heating methods during cold months. We have also installed massive fans into our extrusion area that effectively keep heat from rising through the roof during the winter and keep spaces cooler in the summer.
Dust Collection System
Our state-of-the-art dust collection system allows us to recycle both material and reuse air for temperature control. The negative pressure system acts as a giant vacuum throughout our space collecting particle scrap material, which is then recycled. The air is filtered and can be sent back in during the winter for heating or kept out during the summer months.
Transport Packaging
Many of our retailers have bulk packaging requirements for distribution within their stores. Our buying team researched and is now sourcing plastic packaging bags with 25% post-consumer materials and corrugate boxes with 40% post-consumer material that use a closure system of glue instead of tape, cutting down on additional plastic usage.
Do you want to learn about our other Sustainability efforts? Read more about FōM Manufacturing or Conservation Agriculture next.