- Next Generation Manufacturing Services
- Systemic Continuous Improvement
- Customer Focused Innovation
- Sustainable Products & Process Development
- Advanced Talent Management
- Global Engagement
- Extended Enterprise Management
- Customer Successes
- Advanced Talent Management
- Customer Focused Innovation
- Extended Enterprise Management
- Global Engagement
- Sustainable Products and Process Development
- Systemic Continuous Improvement
- Sadoff & Rudoy Scraps Waste
- Centerline Machine: Lean = Triple-digit growth
- Dalco Metals: Lean Office Cuts Processing Time 50%
- Design Specialties, Inc.: Lean Reduces Inventory by 80%
- GenMet Revs Up Sales with Lean
- Gusmer Enterprises: Reduces Setup Time by 70%
- Marsh Electronics Surges with EBT
- Bachhuber's Strategic Planning Reveals Profit
- Berntsen Reaches Summit with Strategic Planning
- Events & Workshops
- Resources
- Research & Reports
Seven Ways to Reduce Manufacturing Energy Costs
- Install energy-efficient lighting, such as florescent or LED fixtures, and consider lowering light levels if possible.
- Optimize air compressors and fix leaks. Many people don’t realize air compressors are one of the most energy-intensive pieces of equipment in a facility. A rule of thumb: if you can hear the hiss of an air leak, that one leak can cost you at least $500 per year, (depending on size). It’s not uncommon to find dozens or, in some cases, hundreds of costly leaks in a production environment. Click here to read about how Ball Corporation saved by reducing use of compressed air.
- Overhaul or replace aging HVAC systems and consider reducing the amount of air exhausted from your facility by the HVAC system. The installation of economizers (mechanical devices that reduce energy consumption) will also help reduce cooling costs. Retro-commissioning of HVAC and other equipment can result in significant energy savings.
- Create an energy management team comprised of maintenance, engineering, production, accounting and management staff to meet regularly, monitor energy usage and identify and evaluate potential energy-reduction projects.
- Where possible, reschedule usage of high powered electric machinery to avoid high peak demand (kW) utility charges.
- Make sure energy reduction is folded into your continuous improvement strategy and encourage everyone at your company to be involved.
- Consider conducting an energy assessment to identify how much energy is being used at different times of the year and at different production/activity levels. Have your energy management team work with an energy engineer to become trained and to identify energy efficiency measures that can be readily implemented.
Source: SCS BT Squared, Inc. and Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative
Click here to contact us about setting up an energy assessment