Contact: WMEP: Teresa Schell schell@wmep.org Phone: (262) 345-3381
* Companies to complete sustainability diagnostic by December 31, 2011
* PSI Pilot Program Demonstrated Substantial ROI for Manufacturers, State of Wisconsin
MADISON–An innovative program to promote sustainable manufacturing in Wisconsin has been expanded to include an additional 30 manufacturers. The Profitable Sustainability Initiative, managed by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), helps small and midsize manufacturers develop sustainable practices that save money and improve competitiveness.
A report released in June stated that the five year economic impact from the first 45 firms participating in the Profitable Sustainability Initiative is projected to be $54 million, along with immediate and long term environmental benefits. The Profitable Sustainability Initiative (PSI) is funded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Applications from manufacturers were reviewed for alignment with program goals and objectives as established by the WEDC, as well as the applicant’s commitment to sustainability described in the application essay. Applications were processed on a first come, first served basis.
“We’re very pleased with the positive response that the PSI Phase II program has received,” said Paul Jadin, CEO of the WEDC. “These thirty manufacturers will benefit from the cutting-edge approach that has already assisted more than forty-five companies across Wisconsin,” said Jadin. “The first phase of PSI is projected to deliver a 31:1 return on investment when all projects are fully implemented. The Profitable Sustainability Initiative demonstrates our commitment to making Wisconsin not only the best state for business but the best state for profitable and sustainable business.”
Buckley Brinkman, CEO of the WMEP noted that sustainability is a key issue for state manufacturers. “The recent 2011 Next Generation Manufacturing Survey shows that Wisconsin manufacturers have made dramatic strides since 2008 in both awareness of sustainable practices and in implementing sustainable processes,” said Brinkman. “The Profitable Sustainability Initiative is the most effective program in the nation to jump-start efforts to reduce environmental impact while driving profit and competitive advantage.”
Unique Public/Private Partnership The PSI program – the only one of its kind in the U.S. – features a multidisciplinary approach to sustainability, using partners with specialized expertise to help drive improvements. Under the program, a team of energy, environmental, logistics, lean and finance experts are dispatched to take a 360-degree view of the participants’ business enterprises to diagnose, assess and implement improvements.
Wisconsin Manufacturers are Enthusiastic
ATACO Steel, a participant in the initial PSI Pilot Program
“The Profitable Sustainability Initiative really benefitted ATACO Steel,” said Rick Reichertz, CEO of the Cedarburg-based company. “The whole process made sense – a team from WMEP came in and provided a 360 degree diagnostic of our operation. Ultimately, we implemented a paperless work order system that streamlined our production control department, eliminated the mountains of paper we previously consumed and stored, and improved the accuracy and timeliness of our labor reporting information system.”
Resource One International, of Little Chute, a new PSI participant
“At Resource One International, we understand the importance of environmentally focused operations in the contract paper converting industry and are committed to playing our part in protecting our surroundings,” said Tom Sonntag, president of Resource One. “We use renewable resources whenever possible and are constantly finding creative ways to implement eco-friendly changes in our paper converting processes. We are excited to be a part of the Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative. I hope that the PSI program can help make us better stewards of our surroundings and at the same time increase our quality while reducing our costs.”
List of participating manufacturers in PSI Phase II
Athea – Milwaukee
Beck Aluminum Racine – Racine
Berntsen Brass & Aluminum Foundry, Inc. – Madison
Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters – Watertown
Butter Buds Food Ingredients – Racine
Capital Brewery Co., Inc. – Middleton
Compo Steel Products – Milwaukee
Flambeau, Inc. – Baraboo
Gusmer Enterprises, Inc – Waupaca
Huebsch Services – Eau Claire
Inland Label & Marketing Services, LLC – La Crosse
Loudspeaker Components, LLC – Lancaster
MCL Industries – Pulaski
Melron Corporation – Weston
Metal-Era Inc. – Waukesha
Mitchell Metal Products – Merrill
Northern Engraving Corporation – Sparta
Oshkosh Door Co. – Oshkosh
Oshkosh Plating Services, Inc – Oshkosh
Resource One International – Little Chute
Robbins Manufacturing Inc. – Fall River
S&S Cycle Inc – Viola
SFR Industries, Inc. – Cadott
Shape Products, LLC – Menomonie
Skana Aluminum Company – Manitowoc
Tailored Label Products, Inc. – Menomonee Falls
The C.A. Lawton Company – De Pere
Watry Industries – Sheboygan
XeteX – La Crosse
Xten – Clintonville
PSI Results
The Profitable Sustainability Initiative demonstrates the power of sustainability to drive savings, growth and competitive advantage for state manufacturers – while at the same time reducing environmental impacts.
Five-year financial and environmental project impacts for the initial 45 participating firms include:
* $26.9 million in savings
* $23.5 million in increased/retained sales
* $3.6 million in investment
* $54 million total economic impact
Environmental impacts include reductions in:
* Electricity: 17.3 million kilowatt hours
* Carbon dioxide equivalents: 45.6 metric tonnes
* Transportation: 10.8 million miles
* Solid waste diverted from landfills: 11,245 tons
* Air emissions: 83.7 tons
The financial and environmental impacts are based on rigorous cost-benefit and data analyses completed by WMEP and its partners, Focus on Energy, SCS BT Squared, Inc., LogiServe® and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP and North West Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center (NWMOC) in consultation with PSI participants.
Visit http://www.wmep.org for more success highlights or to view the report on the impacts of the first year of the Profitable Sustainability Initiative.
PSI Partners
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center (NWMOC) provides business assistance and management expertise to small and midsize manufacturers and is part of the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
Focus on Energy (FOE) works with Wisconsin manufacturers to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. FOE provides information, resources, and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled.
SCS BT Squared, Inc., delivers economical and environmentally sound solutions for solid waste management and other environmental projects throughout the world. SCS BT Squared provides engineering, construction, and long-term operations and maintenance services to private and public sector clients.
LogiServe®, a logistics management firm with offices in Wauwatosa and Rome, Ga., helps clients achieve optimum cost and performance in transportation, logistics and supply chain activities through tactical and strategic approaches.
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, with staff totaling more than 1,350, Baker Tilly provides a wide range of accounting, tax, assurance, and consulting services. Ranked as the 16th largest* firm in the country, Baker Tilly serves clients from offices in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Washington D.C., and throughout Wisconsin.
About WMEP
WMEP is a private, nonprofit organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers. Since 1998, WMEP has helped to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact and create and save more than 13,000 state manufacturing jobs, according to results documented by customers. WMEP receives financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. WMEP also partners with many public and private organizations to serve Wisconsin manufacturers. For more information, visit http://www.wmep.org.
