U.S. CEEM Continues to Grow: 6 New Members in the First Half of 2012

The U.S. Council for Energy Efficient Manufacturing (U.S. CEEM)  has gained six new voting members: General Dynamics, Holcim US, Nissan North America, Volvo Trucks, Harbec Plastics and JR Simplot. These additional members, which bring the total number of manufacturers on the Council to 19, possess a wealth of energy management expertise in manufacturing, which will contribute to U.S. CEEM’s ability to articulate the industrial sector’s unique needs and solutions.

According to U.S. CEEM Chair, Fred Fendt, of the Dow Chemical Company “…we need good representation from a broad spectrum of industries because things that are important to the chemical industry may not be that important to automobiles or to steel. This level of broad, cross-industry representation will ensure that we can articulate industry’s perspective more fully.” These new partners are described below.

General Dynamics

General Dynamics is an industry leader in the fields of aerospace, defense and information technology.  The General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical Systems division has a longstanding commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability as evidenced by their participation in the Better Buildings, Better Plants program. The Scranton, PA, Army Ammunition Plant is participating in the SEP demonstration.

Holcim (US)

Holcim (US) also has a strong commitment to energy efficiency, having joined the Better Buildings, Better Plants program and become an EPA Green Power Partner. Holcim’s concrete plant in Midlothian, TX, is participating in the SEP demonstration and is also an ENERGY STAR Plant. The facility, which supplies building materials for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and surrounding region, has also taken measures to reduce sulfur dioxide and other emissions. Such sustainability efforts are being replicated throughout the company.

Nissan North America

Part of Nissan North America’s sustainability strategy is making considerable increases in energy efficiency. To that end, they aim to decrease energy use by 25% in three of their North American plants by 2020. At its SEP-certified plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, Nissan achieved a 7.2% reduction in energy intensity. The company is furthering their sustainability efforts by increasing energy efficiency at the distribution level and engaging their suppliers to implement energy efficiency.

Volvo Trucks

The newly SEP-certified Volvo Trucks New River Valley Plant in Dublin, VA, has demonstrated a considerable improvement in energy performance. With an energy intensity improvement of 25.8% the plant was able to achieve SEP certification at the Platinum level. These accomplishments are the result of better plant automation and upgrades to their space heating and compressed air systems. The plant has implemented other sustainability measures that help reduce water use and landfill waste. Energy is also generated onsite through the use wind turbines. In addition, Volvo is participating [PDF] in DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plant program and had participated in EPA’s Climate Leaders program .

Harbec Plastics

Harbec Plastics is a plastic injection molding company in Ontario, New York, that produces a variety of custom plastic components. The company has a long history of sustainable manufacturing having received many awards including the MEP Excellence in Sustainability Award from NIST and the EPA Energy Star Small Business Award. Energy Efficiency measures include implementation of combined heat and power, renewable power generation and use of electric molding machines instead of hydraulic units. Currently, Harbec’s Ontario, NY, plant is participating in the Superior Energy Performance program.

JR Simplot

One of the country’s largest food and agribusiness companies, the JR Simplot Company is involved in every step of food production, from seeds to distribution producing both food and agricultural supplies. The company is a Better Buildings Better Plants Partner that has participated in U.S. Department of Energy programs since 2006 and is currently participating in an SEP pilot at the company’s fertilizer plant in Pocatello, Idaho. JR Simplot has also been taken measures to conserve and recycle water, reducing waste and energy needed for transport.

As membership in U.S. CEEM continues to grow, representation from a wider spectrum of manufacturers will more fully articulate industry’s needs. These new members bring excellent records of accomplishment of success in energy efficiency efforts to the U.S. CEEM.

Alliance Industrial Intern Nathan Robins contributed to this article.