MERCURY MARINE EARNS FOURTH “GREEN MASTER” DESIGNATION

Green Masters

 

Mercury Marine has earned “Green Master” designation from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council for the fourth consecutive year, keeping the Fond du Lac manufacturer in the top 20 percent of the 175 participating companies. Mercury learned of the achievement Wednesday during the 2015 Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council annual conference in Milwaukee.

The Green Masters Program measures and ranks companies on a broad range of sustainability issues, and Mercury ranked exceptionally high in energy and water conservation, waste management, community outreach and education. Mercury Marine scored well above the state average in nearly all of the nine sustainability categories, and scored 479 total points – 37 points higher than in 2013 – out of a possible 592. The program average was 314. “Applying sustainable manufacturing processes to create the most sustainable products is at the core of our culture at Mercury Marine,” said John Pfeifer, president of Mercury. “In every facet of our business – from product design and manufacturing to employee wellness initiatives and community education and support – Mercury is committed to setting and accomplishing significant goals in sustainability.”

 

Strengthening Mercury Marine’s overall score were employee initiatives such as accelerated college degree and internal education programs; individual health improvement projects, including health coaching and at-work weight-reduction support; and community involvement that raised funds for many organizations, including the United Way, Relay for Life, local food drives and troop support activities.

Mercury earned its first Green Master designation in 2011. 

“To earn this prestigious and important designation once was an honour,” said Kevin Grodzki, Mercury Marine president of global sales and marketing. “To earn this four consecutive years speaks volumes about Mercury’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Our customers look to Mercury as the leader in the marine industry and we will continue to manufacture the most sustainable products using the most sustainable manufacturing processes.”The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council pointed at Mercury’s recently introduced Enertia ECO Propeller as an illustration of the company’s commitment to environment-friendly products. The ECO prop, specifically designed for high-horsepower outboard-powered vessels, offers boaters a 10-percent increase in fuel economy at cruising speeds while maintaining the performance and reliability standards inherent in all Mercury propellers. “For the fourth year in a row, Mercury Marine has shown outstanding dedication to sustainability,” said Tom Eggert, executive director of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. “Mercury Marine is part of a very small group of Wisconsin companies that consistently score in the top 20 percent in the Green Masters Program.”

 

Additional accomplishments by Mercury in 2014 included:

Responsible Consumption of Energy

•             Energy conservation through the use of variable frequency drives, direct digital controls, and demand controlled 

 

high-efficiency ventilation systems.

•             Lighting upgrades using high efficiency lighting in factory offices and exterior locations to reduce energy 

 

consumption while improving lighting levels.

•             Reduced energy use through factory burner equipment tune-up for peak burner performance, improving energy 

 

efficiency with more efficient burns.

Wastewater Treatment

•             Implemented a process to treat oily wastewater (generated from parts washers and machine coolants) that resulted 

 

in approximately 500,000 gallons of wastewater not being shipped offsite for treatment. The process eliminated 

 

approximately 22,750 miles of semi travel on area roadways and alleviated the associated environmental impacts.

Electronic Recycling Event / Office updates

•             Mercury Marine sponsored a communitywide Electronics Recycling Event in conjunction with the opening of the 

 

Mercury Museum in Fond du Lac. Those who dropped off items for recycling received a voucher for free admission to the 

 

museum. The collected items weighed a combined 23,700 pounds

•             Recycling bins are placed next to all trash containers

•             Eliminated individual printers / scanners for shared, multifunctional devices

•             Copiers and printers are set to two-sided printing

•             Paper files replaced by an electronic system

•             Company removed from bulk / junk mailing lists

•             Purchased environmentally friendly office supplies (paper, toner, ink cartridges)

•             In order to reduce the volume of disposable cups, the company distributed 3,500 reusable drinking mugs to 

 

employees.

Water

•             Mercury reduced overall water usage by utilizing cooling water from its Internal Test Center as makeup water for 

 

engine cooling in Dyno cells in its Engineering Research / Product Development Center.

•             Implemented a water-saving project to monitor water usage at Mercury through the city water department measuring 

 

system. City water usage is now monitored and trended to alert plant personnel of large variances in consumption.

Landfills

•             Mercury diverted more than 50 percent of its waste away from landfills.

Additional information on the Green Masters Program and a complete list of participants are available at 

 

www.greenmastersprogram.com.

 

Related Posts





Vote for Dorothy, BC’s Iconic Sailing Yacht, in the Classic Boat Awards 2024

CMRA

You are invited to support an historic, recently restored and refitted BC sailboat, Dorothy, by voting for her in a contest, the Classic Boat Awards 2024, run by the UK’s prestigious Classic Boat Magazine. The Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC), owner of this sleek, wooden vessel built in 1897, believes she’s the oldest sailboat in Canada. As she isn’t the only classic yacht in the running, you’re urged to go online and vote for her in the category of Restored Sailing Vessel under 40ft.

Read More




Need to Catch up on News This Week?

Every Tuesday we publish a fresh Digest with informative articles pertaining to the Canadian boating and marine industry. Stay up to date with the latest products, research and industry developments.

Missed an Issue of Boating Industry Canada News Week? If you’re looking for a specific issue, or simply want to catch up on previous issues, check out our Boating Industry Canada News Week Archives.

Not signed up for News Week? Subscribe here.



Even more BALIs at BALI

CATANA GROUP launches its 14th BALI CATAMARANS model, the BALI 5.8, for the brand’s 10th anniversary! Always bigger, always more powerful, always more… BALI!

This time, the new BALI 5.8 is completing the range from the top down.

Read More


Water heater offers dynamic heat source choices

Hubbell-Marine Stainless steel outlet covers
Hubbell-Marine Stainless steel outlet covers

After a long day on the water, having ample supplies of hot water for multiple showers and meal preparation is a welcome luxury. The 1700 Series Marine Water Heater from Raritan Engineering was created specifically for marine use. With a proven long-life design, it’s available with a 115V AC or 240V AC heating element, and the option to include an innovative heat exchanger that uses the vessel’s hot engine coolant.

Read More