Dunn-Edwards Facility Receives LEED® Gold Certification
PHOENIX - Dunn-Edwards has been awarded the LEED Gold Certification for its new manufacturing facility in Phoenix, AZ. The certification is established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. The 336,000-square-foot plant was custom designed and is the world’s first LEED-certified paint manufacturing facility. The ultra-modern building encompasses manufacturing, product development, quality control laboratories, a distribution center, a retail outlet and office space.
“We have incorporated innovative, energy-efficient equipment and protocols, such as unique high-efficiency process equipment with integrated dust-suppression technology, so that no particulates are emitted to ambient air, and advanced wastewater recycling techniques to conserve water. Our systems are classified as ultra-low discharge, meaning that waste generation is virtually eliminated,” said Karl Altergott, President.
Dunn-Edwards is an environmentally friendly paint manufacturer and an industry leader in eco-efficient principles. For example, throughout its operations, the company focuses on initiatives such as energy efficiency, waste minimization, recycling, emissions reduction, and health and safety protection. “So, not only are we manufacturing paint that is more eco-friendly, we have taken great steps to conserve energy and material resources, and to reduce waste in our physical environment,” said Altergott.
Even small changes can add up to big eco-savings. The company eliminated cardboard boxes for packaging one-gallon containers and now uses heat shrink wrap. This amounts to a reduction of cardboard consumption by one million boxes, which equates to approximately 250 tons of cardboard per year.
Altergott reports that energy calculations on the new plant show a 50 percent reduction over the company’s two existing operations. One was first built in the mid-1950s and the other in the mid-1970s. “Our innovative automation at the new plant is one of the most comprehensive systems in the industry and light years beyond what we had at the older facilities,” he explained. “We are so much more efficient, saving time, money and resources. Increased automation has reduced the physical demands of workers, and thus potential injuries.”
“We have incorporated innovative, energy-efficient equipment and protocols, such as unique high-efficiency process equipment with integrated dust-suppression technology, so that no particulates are emitted to ambient air, and advanced wastewater recycling techniques to conserve water. Our systems are classified as ultra-low discharge, meaning that waste generation is virtually eliminated,” said Karl Altergott, President.
Dunn-Edwards is an environmentally friendly paint manufacturer and an industry leader in eco-efficient principles. For example, throughout its operations, the company focuses on initiatives such as energy efficiency, waste minimization, recycling, emissions reduction, and health and safety protection. “So, not only are we manufacturing paint that is more eco-friendly, we have taken great steps to conserve energy and material resources, and to reduce waste in our physical environment,” said Altergott.
Even small changes can add up to big eco-savings. The company eliminated cardboard boxes for packaging one-gallon containers and now uses heat shrink wrap. This amounts to a reduction of cardboard consumption by one million boxes, which equates to approximately 250 tons of cardboard per year.
Altergott reports that energy calculations on the new plant show a 50 percent reduction over the company’s two existing operations. One was first built in the mid-1950s and the other in the mid-1970s. “Our innovative automation at the new plant is one of the most comprehensive systems in the industry and light years beyond what we had at the older facilities,” he explained. “We are so much more efficient, saving time, money and resources. Increased automation has reduced the physical demands of workers, and thus potential injuries.”
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
