FTA Environmental Excellence Awards Recognize Four Companies
- Published: March 30, 2009
RONKONKOMA, NY | Flexographic Technical Assn. (FTA) has recognized four companies–Lauterbach Group, Coating Excellence International, AllpakTrojan, and Creative Labels–through the ninth Annual FTA Environmental Excellence Award program.
Lauterbach Group, Waukesha, WI, a label printer with 50 employees, has undergone a number of environmentally-focused initiatives to win the Process Improvement category. Its Lauterbach Productivity System focuses on ways to reduce, reuse and recycle through a process improvement program that has full employee participation. The company strives to make sustainability part of their everyday operations. With the main focus that “lean is green,” the company was able to reduce the amount of materials it consumes while increasing output and lessened its impact on the environment in a fashion that makes economical sense from a business standpoint.
Coating Excellence Intl. LLC of Wrightstown, WI, a leading manufacturer of wide web printed flexible packaging products, won for Technical Innovation because of its SuperTube woven bag. SuperTubes are 100% recyclable in pre- and post-consumer environments. The tubes take up less landfill space, if not recycled, than alternative packaging as they weigh less than half of the traditional multi-wall paper bags. SuperTubes have a lower carbon footprint than alternative packaging.
AllpakTrojan of Renton, WA, takes a holistic approach to sustainability, which earned it an honorable mention in the Process Improvement category. The facility incorporates and promotes healthy, ecologically sustainable business practices in four areas of the workplace covering the product and equipment, efficiency and protection, employees and jobs, and commitments and relationships. Its Environmental Action Plan encompasses a broader view of sustainability, which incorporates values and goals that encourage them to not only become better stewards of the environment, but also promotes positive economic growth and social awareness.
Creative Labels, a narrow web flexographic printer in Gilroy, CA, was awarded an honorable mention for Technical Innovation. Creative Labels chose to reduce its carbon footprint by undertaking two major projects. The first project was to review its lighting, especially in the production area. The company did installations and upgrades replacing high wattage lights with more energy efficient lighting that would be brighter. The company also installed a solar electric system that was specifically designed for it to achieve maximum possible energy cost savings benefits while minimizing expenses. The system generates clean electricity that reduces atmospheric emissions.
“The commitment to sustainability exhibited by all of the nominees is a testament to the value of these awards in promoting environmental stewardship,” said Judge David Lanska, Stork Cellramic. “It is encouraging to see broader application and incorporation of green technologies throughout organizations and the industry as a whole. They are certainly raising the bar for future nominees.”
To learn more about the 10th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards competition, contact Doreen M. Monteleone, director of special projects & EHS services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the FTA website later in the year. Entries are due December 31, 2009.
