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Green buildings help manufacturers increase efficiency
Manufacturers are building new efficient facilities to save on long term costs
Many Minnesota manufacturers are extending the lean benefits of going green beyond their processes and products by building efficient, environmentally-friendly, and green facilities.
Metal Craft president Jack Mowry, for one, says his decision to build a green facility fit the company's values and made financial sense.
 Metal Craft, a precision machining provider to the medical implant and device industries, moved into a new Elk River facility in early 2009. The company worked with Heritage Construction, architectural firm Archnet USA, and Reliance Electric to fashion its green building, and the new 78,000 square foot facility features many aspects that help it conserve energy and save costs, from paint colors to motor efficiency.
Among the most impressive energy saving technologies at Metal Craft is a white reflective roof that keeps the facility cool in summer while a number of machines operate inside and produce massive amounts of heat. A white roof, says builder Andrew Christensen, president of Heritage Construction, causes up to a 55 degree difference in surface temperature during the hottest months and saves Metal Craft approximately ten percent tonnage of cooling required inside.
In addition, the roof uses a rotunda feature with a special glass called Kalwall panels that let in the sun's light while blocking UV rays. The result is more naturally created light without added heat to the shop floor.
"People think of manufacturing floors as drab and dusty and dark," Christensen said. "Metal Craft is nothing like that."
Inside the facility, Metal Craft's walls and floors are painted with a light, reflective color that traps sunlight and reduce energy costs. A special ductwork configuration enables the company to pump hot air from the ceiling down to floor level in winter, and reverses the entire system in summer months to pump warmer air away from already hot machines at floor level.
Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) in Bloomington also recently completed a green facility. QBP, the largest parts and accessories distributor in the bicycle industry, moved into a building certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the US Green Building Council.
QPB achieved LEED certification by meeting high standards of energy efficiency, water conservation, and material use.
Solar panels provide up 10-15 percent of the building's energy and what the company coins its "wall of windows" provides natural lighting throughout much of the facility.
QBP installed motion detectors in inventory racks so that lights only turn on when someone is working in the area. High efficiency motors run the conveyer system, which, though more expensive, the company expects a return on investment within five years.
Metal Craft president Jack Mowry says that the long term efficiency and savings outweigh an up-front expense.
"It wasn't that much of a difference in cost that it was still a no brainer," Mowry said. "We thought of payback in all of our decisions."
To learn more about how other Minnesota manufacturers are going lean and implementing green, register to attend Enterprise Minnesota's Upcoming event: The Next Generation of Lean
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The Next Generation of Lean
When: April 29, 2009, 8:00am - 11:30am
Where: Elk River City Hall - Upper Town Conference Room
Cost: Early Bird Rate $79 (before April 15), Group Rate 4 for $237, or Regular $110
*Continental breakfast provided.
Who should attend:
CEOs, General Managers, CFOs, CIOs, VPs, Mid Level Managers, & Supervisors
- Continuous improvement directors/managers
- Plant managers
- Manufacturing engineers/supervisors
- Production supervisors
- Process development managers/engineers
- Business development managers
- Corporate financial analysts
What to expect:
Competing and winning today in business requires foresight that includes Green (environmental sustainability) and Lean (reduced costs and increased efficiency) to create strategies that deliver clear, measurable, and rapid returns. Come learn how today's successful organizations are combining Lean and Green practices to improve productivity, competitiveness and opportunities for growth.
Presenters:
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Judy Wlodarczyk, director of environment and energy, CONNSTEP
CONNSTEP provides solutions to Connecticut's manufacturing industry, including a full complement of environmental assistance such as regulatory compliance, environmental and pollution prevention (P2) assistance, waste elimination, resource selection and utilization, energy conservation, and ISO 14001. Wlodarczyk advocates "Clean Manufacturing" practices, integrating lean manufacturing and quality, and focus on reducing all wastes and costs.
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Ed Polin, LBC-Sensei, lean enterprise manager, Central Container
Central Container, located in Brooklyn Park, manufactures custom corrugated cardboard boxes, folding cartons, paper boxes, product packaging and custom containers. The company was recently featured in Enterprise Minnesota magazine's Best of Manufacturing 2008 as the Most Dedicated Green Business. Aside from being socially responsible, Central Container has found that going green is economically viable in today's marketplace.
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Jed Falgren, vice president, Dotson Iron Castings
Mankato-based Dotson Iron Castings supplies 3,000 different castings to a wide range of clients including transportation, agriculture, construction, recreation, and medical. Implementing lean and clean manufacturing, Dotson is on the leading edge of the country's foundries, being named 2006 Foundry of the Year by the American Foundry Society's Modern Casting magazine and to Enterprise Minnesota magazine's "Ones to Watch" in 2007.
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John Connelly, director of new product management, center director, Enterprise Minnesota
Enterprise Minnesota helps the state's manufacturing enterprises grow profitably by using highly personalized services tailored to the specific needs client companies. Connelly has more than 20 years of manufacturing and management experience, including general, program and sales management, sales, marketing development and implementation, and business consulting.
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For questions or more information email events@enterpriseminnesota.org or call our events line at 612.455.4239.
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Industry News
Tour of Manufacturers: The Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) will host the Tour of Manufacturers on Saturday, April 25. This free event will showcase 11 central Minnesota manufacturers and offer attendees an opportunity to tour each company and learn more about their products and processes. Students and their parents are encouraged to attend.
Manufacturers open for tours include:
For more information click here to visit CMMA's website.
State of Manufacturing: Enterprise Minnesota president and CEO Bob Kill presented to the American Foundry Society - Twin Cities Chapter this week, speaking about the "Face of the New Manufacturer." Kill talked to the crowd of Minnesota and Wisconsin based foundries about strategies for successful manufacturers in the 21st century, and that, "the region's success will pivot on how much they invest in their people and processes, knowing that the economy will eventually turn." Kill also presented information from Enterprise Minnesota's survey of Minnesota's manufacturing executives.
Extended CPM Deadline: The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) is extending the deadline to register for the CPM exam from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009. All exams (including retakes) must be completed by December 31, 2009. For more information visit the ISM website.
Minnesota Cup Submissions: The Minnesota Cup is accepting applications for the fifth-annual statewide competition that seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs and their breakthrough ideas. To enter this year's competition, fill out the short entry form before May 22nd, 2009, or for further information visit the Minnesota Cup website
In The Headlines
Lean Times, Lean Principles (Thief River Falls Times, 4/15/2009)
Alexandria Extrusion Helps Fight Cancer (Alexandria Echo Press, 4/10/2009)
Upcoming Events
Understanding & Managing Behavioral Differences
April 21, 2009, IKON Learning Center, Roseville
8:30am - 5:00 pm
Registration
MN Quality Award/Recognition
April 30, 2009
11:30am - 4:30pm
For more information email Brian Lassiter
Southwest Initiative Foundation 2009 Banquet - "What Matters Most"
April 23, 2009
Jackpot Junction Exposition Center, Morton
5:00pm
More Information and Registration
Motivating Employees in Today's Economy
April 24, 2009
Rose Vine Hall Banquet Center, Roseville
9:30am - 2:00pm
More Information and Registration
Insider Issue Series - State Budget
April 24, 2009
St. Paul Hotel, St. Paul
7:30am - 9:30am
More Information and Registration
Insider Issue Series - Session Wrap Up
May 20, 2009
3:30pm followed by reception at 4:30pm
More Information and Registration
Defense Alliance Networking Event
May 7, 2009, HGA, Minneapolis
5:30pm - 8:30pm
More Information and Registration
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