26 June 2015, 13:54
Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, achieved two significant sustainability milestones at its Minster, Ohio, manufacturing facility: zero landfill status and ISO 14001 certification. Crown expects to divert more than 28,000 pounds – approximately 14 tons – of this facility’s waste from landfills each year because of efforts implemented to earn these achievements.As part of Crown’s sustainability commitment and lean manufacturing practices, a team of employees began evaluating the facility’s operations for waste reduction opportunities in August 2014. Employees identified methods for recycling or reusing when possible, including reusing spools and containers needed for the manufacture and assembly of wire harnesses. Any remaining waste not reused or recycled is sent to a waste-to-energy facility.
“These latest sustainability achievements are a testament to the commitment of our employees to the communities in which we live and work,” said Tonja Rammel, environmental health and safety manager, Crown Equipment. “We are always looking at new ways to minimize waste and manage energy, and our employees have played a major role in creating a culture of focused, conscious stewardship of our community resources.
“And, many of our customers view Crown’s commitment to sustainable initiatives as a benefit to working with us. They want to work with a company focused not only on delivering quality products and solutions, but one that does so with a strategic and sustainable development process.”
The Minster manufacturing facility is the fifth Crown facility to achieve zero landfill status and the third to earn ISO 14001 certification. Others include manufacturing facilities in New Knoxville and New Bremen, Ohio (ISO 14001 and zero landfill status), as well as Crown Lift Trucks sales and service locations in Dayton, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky (zero landfill status).
Crown’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability is evident throughout many aspects of its manufacturing and operations. Numerous organizations have recognized the company with sustainability awards, including the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, Ohio EPA, Inbound Logistics and more. Most recently, Food Logistics recognized Crown as a 2015 Top Green Provider. In April 2014, the Ohio EPA honored Crown with its first-ever, gold-level award in its Encouraging Environmental Excellence (Ɛ3) program. For a complete overview of Crown’s environmental initiatives and achievements, download a copy of the ecologic™ Report.
Source: ORCA Affairs GmbH; Crown Gabelstapler GmbH & Co. KG