Industry News

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — In a quest to “green” and enhance their company’s manufacturing processes, nearly 200 Milwaukee-area executives attended the 2nd Annual Green Manufacturing Summit, presented by Bradley Corp., manufacturer of efficient plumbing solutions, in partnership with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The Summit gathered architects, engineers, and business and community leaders who shared sustainable strategies proven to make their processes more efficient and productive, while reducing utility costs.
“For 88 years, Bradley has designed and manufactured water- and energy-conserving plumbing technologies and fixtures that have helped green our customer’s facilities,” says Mike Sipek, COO, Bradley Corp. “Our long-standing green philosophy continues to drive us to further explore innovative sustainable strategies with fellow industry leaders – especially at a time when companies are looking for new ways to adapt to – and prosper in – a leaner and greener economy.”
A common theme of the Summit, which was held at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, was how operational savings from reducing use of energy, water and other natural resources offsets the initial investment of becoming green. “Green is not just environmental sustainability,” says Jon Dommisse, director of new product development and marketing, Bradley Corp. “Green is business sustainability too.”
In her keynote address, Kim Marotta, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, MillerCoors, presented a variety of sustainable strategies implemented by the prominent brewing company. By examining MillerCoors’ water, energy and carbon footprint reductions throughout its supply chain, along with other environmental sustainability efforts, this motivating case study helped set the stage for the day’s discussion.
Next, a dynamic panel discussion focused on ways companies can reduce their corporate water footprint and employ other water usage and efficiency strategies. The distinguished panelists included: Ann Beier, director, The City of Milwaukee’s Office of Environmental Sustainability; William Holahan; professor and chair of the economics department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Kim Marotta, MillerCoors; Richard Meeusen, chairman and CEO, Badger Meter, Inc.; and Mike Sipek, Bradley Corp.