We have an obligation to our community, our children, and our employees to have the deepest environmental commitment possible.

Our goal is clear: "Nothing will leave this plant. Zero emissions, period."

A strong environmental policy is not only good corporate responsibility, it's good business.

We have discovered that in many cases production costs can be reduced and production processes enhanced through tough environmental standards.

In 1979, we began recycling naphtha, lacquer thinner, and used machine oils. Today we recycle all of our coolants. Eight-hundred gallons of coolant per minute -- on just 2 lines -- 94 hours a week, with an up-time rate of 99%.

In fact, recycling has become an integral part of our quality program. The ability to control the quality of our coolants means better machining. The reduction in scrap parts due to recycling control pays off.

And there are other paybacks, too. Metalworking coolants cost more to dispose than to make. By recycling them we become decidedly more competitive.

Additionally, we designed and built our own sand reclamation system for our foundries. Twelve tons of sand every 24 hours: clean and ready for molding. By drastically reducing the amount of sand we send to landfills, this facility was able to pay for itself in less than three years.

And the sand and emissions from our dust collectors that we are unable to reclaim? We are in the process of converting that waste into nonpolluting products.

And finally, our water purification facility -- designed and built by the R. H. Sheppard Company -- will meet all of our water reprocessing needs.

This profound environmental commitment provides other competitive advantages, as well. A healthy internal environment means healthy employees, and healthy employees make a better product, with lower insurance costs, and less absenteeism.

Meeting and exceeding governmental regulations means never jeopardizing your customer's production schedule due to regulatory delays. Plus, it assures market strength, and in today's fast moving world, survival.

Because of our environmental leadership, we have become a model company for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. In fact, we received the state of Pennsylvania's 1992 and 1994 Governor's Waste Minimization Awards. And in partnership with the DER, we invite other companies to observe the many creative and innovative methods we have developed to achieve our zero emissions goal.

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