Vermont Congressman Peter Welch recently toured Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.'s plant in Milton, Vt.
Energy efficiency projects allow Husky to save more than $200,000 annually — about $2 million over the last decade.
“Husky is concrete example of the best argument for energy efficiency initiatives,” Welch said. “Two million dollars, that's persuasive. That's the language of the bottom line.”
On the tour with Welch were Mike Boots, the acting director of the Council on Environmental Quality, and Greg Baker, account manager of Efficiency Vermont.
Husky's energy-saving projects include:
• Tuning its central machine cooling system, by studying and adjusting pressure settings to minimize pump outputs. That saved $110,000 and 1.2 million kilowatt hours annually.
• Replacing 530 metal halide high bay light fixtures with fluorescent lights, saving $66,000 a year and 1 million kWh.
• Shutting off molding machines during off hours. That saved $36,000 and 600,000 kWh a year.
“Husky is an organization that prides itself on living our core value of environmental responsibility,” said Geoff Glaspie, plant manager in Milton. “To be acknowledged by the government for our commitment to the environment goes a long way towards making people feel good about working here, and helps Husky feel like a welcomed member of the community.”
Husky, the machinery, robot and hot runner maker based in Bolton, Ontario, has executed 241 energy efficiency improvement projects over its six locations, according to John Ferraro, the company's director of environment, health and safety.