The company, which produces gray iron, ductile iron and austempered ductile iron castings, said it's the first metalcaster in the country to receive the ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification.
The certification confirms Waupaca Foundry has created a system of "continual improvement in energy use, efficiency and consumption," the company said.
Teams created and implemented a pilot program in energy management, and after 12 months of preparation and the completion of a certification audit, the certification was granted.
Mike Hoecker, Waupaca Foundry’s energy manager, said the certification will accelerate the company's sustainability progress and competitiveness.
“We are setting the pace in our industry by committing to continuous improvement in environmental sustainability by reducing our energy use,” said Waupaca Foundry president, chief operating officer and chief executive officer Mike Nikolai. “Our efforts not only reduce our impact on the environment but make us a more competitive iron castings supplier in the global marketplace.”
Energy costs the company about $180 million each year, Nikolai said.
The plant, located a 406 N. Division St., is one of three gray iron foundries the company operates in the city. Waupaca Foundry also owns and operates machining and assembly operations in Effingham, Illinois and Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.
By 2020, Waupaca Foundry aims to reduce its energy intensity by 25 percent, promote state-of-the-art pollution control technologies, reduce spent foundry generation by 30 percent and reduce water consumption by 80 percent.
