Contact: Kay Nachreiner, 608-231-9664 ext.10
Sustainable Engineering Group wins 2009 Dane County Small Business Award
In yet another example of sustainability impacting the local economy, Sustainable Engineering Group (SEG) has received a 2009 Dane County Small Business Award. The award celebrates small businesses and the contributions they make to Dane County’s communities and overall economy.
Located in Madison, Sustainable Engineering Group specializes in making buildings energy efficient. The firm works with various building types including hospitals, universities, K-12 schools, pharmaceutical, government and general office buildings to reduce gas and electric costs while creating healthier and more productive indoor environments. Manus McDevitt and Svein Morner are the company’s principals.
In addition to helping reduce resource consumption and environmental degradation, the company contributes to the Dane County community through unique initiatives like the firm’s Green Commute program. With Green Commute, employees earn $1 for every mile they bike to and from work. The earned dollars are then contributed to a charitable organization chosen by the employee. Morner notes that prior to joining Sustainable Engineering, staff members are already committed to conserving energy. “With our benefits program we are creating opportunities to push them to the next level,” he said. “The end result is healthier employees and a greener environment.”
While Sustainable Engineering Group’s initiatives benefit employees and the environment, clients are also realizing the value of the firm’s services. SEG client, Chuck Sasso of Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation states “The WECC staff has found great value in the building commissioning process provided by Sustainable Engineering Group, from the design stage all the way through construction and building occupancy.”
McDevitt believes several key factors have spurred the company’s growth and subsequent economic contributions to Dane County. The first is timing. Until recently, green building practices had not gained much traction in the mainstream. “This has changed considerably in the last several years,” he said. The growing demand for SEG’s services can be attributed to rising energy costs and an increased awareness of climate change from CO2 emissions.
Another major contributor to the firm’s success is fostering a work environment that encourages professional development and training among its staff. “The depth and knowledge of our employees is shown clearly in their high quality of work,” McDevitt noted.
For more information about Sustainable Engineering Group call (608) 231-9664 or visit their website at http://www.sustaineng.com.
