Energy Scouts Visit TRUMPF
Last week, three ebm-papst energy scouts from Germany took their sustainability vision further – much further – by embarking on a one-week trip to the United States. They spent time at the company’s U.S. subsidiary – ebm-papst, Inc. (Farmington, CT). There they presented their expertise to colleagues and shared their experiences with more than 200 employees. And that was just the beginning of their visit.
Armed with tools including a thermal imaging camera and compressed-air measuring devices, the energy scouts conducted energy assessments throughout the week at Sound Manufacturing, Inc. (Old Saybrook, CT), a precision sheet metal manufacturer, and TRUMPF Inc. (Farmington, CT), an industrial laser and fabricating equipment manufacturing facility. They identified specific energy leaks and made suggestions to each facility on how to reduce energy waste and maximize their resources.
“We have a great relationship with ebm-papst and were very excited to host the energy scouts here. The program not only enables us to become more efficient in the production of our fabricating equipment, it also provides an invaluable opportunity for the apprentices – an understanding and knowledge that they will carry and apply throughout their careers,” said Stephan Bundschu, vice president, engineering and manufacturing, for TRUMPF.
In addition to the business-to-business agenda, the energy scouts were eager to talk about their work with peers. The next stop on their itinerary was Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester, where they were welcomed by Mayor Jay Moran and Principal Robert Sartoris. The scouts presented their mission and accomplishments to the HVAC, plumbing and carpentry trade students. After their presentation, they toured Cheney Tech’s E-house and were treated to a luncheon prepared and served by the culinary arts trade students. “Cheney Tech’s students were extremely honored to host ebm-papst’s energy scouts,” said Sartoris. “The energy conservation and sustainability knowledge sharing was amazing and to have that peer to peer connection is extremely valuable. We definitely forged a great partnership today as well as lasting friendships,” he said.
The energy scouts wrapped up their week with a celebration of Green Day at the ebm-papst, Inc. headquarters in Farmington. Afterwards, they headed to New York where they were guests of Elliott Harris, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNEP Director, New York Office and the German American Chambers of Commerce and the Consulate General of Germany.
Based in Mulfingen, Germany, ebm-papst’s five-year-old energy scouts program brings awareness on topics of climate protection, energy efficiency and sustainability, and gives credit to U.S. President Barack Obama for initiating. To date, the energy scouts project boasts a reduction in energy costs of approximately €1 million.
Their objective is a business-targeted, energy efficient mission, aimed at saving energy in production unit and increasing sustainability while lowering energy consumption. They also focus on encouraging younger generations to help shape their future by taking an active and responsible role in sustainability.
With its U.S. headquarters in Farmington and European headquarters in Mulfingen, ebm-papst is the world’s leading source for engineered air movement products, providing more than 14,500 different products and total customized solutions. Their professional teams solve heating, cooling and ventilation challenges for industries and applications including ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, residential, IT and telecom, industrial, transportation and more.
