The Reedsburg, WI, facility of Grede Holdings LLC, a leading producer of cast iron components for the transportation and industrial markets, has received the Business Friend of the Environment Award in Environmental Innovation from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). WMC is the state’s chamber of commerce and largest business association.
For 24 years, WMC has been recognizing Wisconsin companies that have made significant improvements in the areas of pollution prevention, environmental innovation and environmental stewardship with the Business Friend of the Environment Awards. Six companies received the Business Friend of the Environment Award in 2013. Grede Reedsburg was the only foundry to be recognized in 2013.
Grede Reedsburg has developed several innovative environmental programs that helped it earn the award. This included its Cupola Technology Improvement Program that was initiated in 2011 which implemented a new process for melting iron in the foundry cupola. Grede Reedsburg worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and designed a new melting process that decreased carbon monoxide emissions by 85% and sulfur dioxide emissions by 97%, saving more than $3 million in fuel.
“We are very honored to have won this prestigious award and to be recognized for our environmental programs,” says Dan Antonetti, General Manager, Grede Reedsburg. “It is a validation of our strong and ongoing commitment to improving Grede’s environmental footprint. What people often forget is that being in the foundry business, we are the ultimate recycler because we take scrap steel that would otherwise go to a landfill and we turn it into new, high-quality castings.”
The award was presented at a luncheon at the Country Springs Conference Center in Pewaukee, WI, on May 15, 2013.
