For more information, contact:
Suzanne Freckmann, (414) 530-0844
BAYSIDE, Wis., (September 8, 2010) — Manufacturing executives, business owners, and academic and government representatives may all have different business objectives and agendas, but a quest for sustainable business practices was a common thread across all of these groups from Southeastern Wisconsin who attended the 3rd Annual Green Manufacturing Summit on August 31.
The free business forum (http://www.bradleycorp.com/greensummit/2010/) was presented by Bradley Corp., manufacturer of efficient plumbing solutions, in partnership with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and gathered nearly 200 business and community leaders who explored how going green makes their practices more efficient, productive and cost-effective.
“In our third year of hosting this growing event, it’s plain to see that sustainable strategies and technologies are not only here to stay, they are advantageous to businesses on several fronts,” says Mike Sipek, COO, Bradley Corp. “It’s motivating to hear how green manufacturing processes lower utility and operating costs, reduce companies’ carbon footprints, boost employee morale and retention, and reduce risks of future energy price spikes. It’s also inspiring to see that more Wisconsin-area businesses support green initiatives than ever before.”
The half-day event, which was held at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, hosted a series of speakers from around southeastern Wisconsin who shared real-world examples of how their companies have improved their operations through sustainable business practices.
In his keynote address, Tom Eggert, the founder and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council and adjunct faculty member of UW-Madison’s School of Business, highlighted key sustainability trends for businesses with an emphasis on how green manufacturing can impact ROI.
Underscoring the growing acceptance of the green business philosophy, Eggert estimated that 70% of the 100 largest companies in Wisconsin now have a sustainability strategy while 70% have an identified executive champion. “The world is changing and the market is changing,” Eggert says, noting that trends like sustainable business practices that start in Europe almost always make their way to America’s shores. “There will be winners and losers as companies adapt – or choose not to adapt – to these changes. What’s clear is that green is here to stay.”
In addition, educational breakout sessions provided insight into topics such as “Designing for Disassembly,” in which engineers from Design Concepts, a Madison-based product design firm, discussed planning for product life expiration. A Menasha VP presented “Sustainable Trends in Packaging,” which explored innovations in the “less is more” packaging model; and an attorney from Foley & Lardner talked about “Greenhouse Gas Challenges,” which included an up-to-the-minute look at how legislative changes are affecting manufacturers and other businesses.
The day finished with an in-depth panel discussion on energy efficiency featuring experts from FOE, Frito Lay’s Beloit plant, Serigraph, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and Pieper Power. Speakers shared case studies, research, strategies and recommendations for reducing energy reducing energy usage and operating costs. “Seeing that there is a lot of energy consumed in manufacturing operations, there’s a lot of energy wasted,” says Jon Dommisse, Director of Marketing and Product Development for Bradley Corp., who moderated the panel discussion. “Therefore there is a large opportunity to conserve energy and save money. This reinforces why energy management is crucial to our businesses.”
To view speakers’ presentations, see photos from the event and learn more about the Summit, please visit http://www.bradleycorp.com/greensummit/2010/.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com .
About Bradley Corp.
For more than 85 years, Bradley Corporation has designed and manufactured commercial washfountains, and today is the industry’s exclusive source for plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, restroom partitions, emergency fixtures and solid plastic lockers. Headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Bradley serves the commercial, industrial, health care, recreation, education, and corrections markets worldwide. For more information, contact Bradley, Telephone: (800) Bradley; Fax: (262) 251-5817; http://www.bradleycorp.com.
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