WMSBF September 8 Membership Meeting

Light Corporation, Grand Haven

Introductions:

Marylu Dysktra: Thank you for coming. Marylu asked new members to stand up and introduce themselves.  These included:

q       Ryan Steffens of B.R.E.E.T.H

q       Richard Morrison of Morrison Industries

q       Terri Schroeder of Shepherd Advisors

q       Don Goetcheus of Smith Barney Investments

q       Janine Oberstadt of Foodprint

q       David Miller of the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce

q       Cindy Moe of Light Corporation

Those present were asked to meet and shake hands with those around them.

Presentation: Light Corporation

Marylu commended Light Corporation on its integration of the triple-bottom line into the design and production process.  She then introduced Brad Davis, President of Light, Lynn Bosgraff, Director of Engineering, and Cindy Moe, Director of Human Resources and thanked them for hosting and providing lunch.

Cindy Moe introduced Bad Davis who gave a brief history of Light including its beginnings in 1986, relationship to its sister companies, and expansion in employees, products, and markets in the past 22 years.  He stressed the company’s passion for developing products that are environmentally friendly, ergonomic, and energy efficient – including present work with LEDs and Radio frequency (RF) controls.

Moe presented a slide show emphasizing Light’s mission, which centers on its products, processes, and people.

q       Products

o       LED and RF controls which are able to use less energy, focus light where it is needed, and reduce usage when it is not needed

o       Developing integrated systems.

q       Processes

o       ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

o       Recycling has reduced waste to one dumpster per week.

o       Continuous cycle of self-auditing to create more efficient systems.

o       Currently introducing a recently installed paint-application system utilizing powder coat technology.

§         Reduces amount of time and fuel used in shipping product back and forth to paint shop.

§         Allows for more direct manufacturing to the customer order.

§         Questions and answers:

·         Did not require expansion of production floor, but increased space by reducing the amount needed for inventory.

·         Utilized grants from the Michigan Department of Economic Development to implement.

q       People

o       Training/Development

§         Utilize top-grading in the hiring process to hire the right people.

§         Trains all employees in basic business finances, including recent company performance.

§         Partners with Grand Haven High School to bring CAD students in.

o       Employee engagement

§         Utilizes daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual meetings to increase communication.

§         Utilize themes to have fun with meeting strategic goals.

q       Groups of ten were led on a half-hour tour of the facility.

q       Q & A Session:

o       Q: What’s eluding Light in terms of sustainability?

§         Product perspective: continued evaluation of product design and process.

§         People perspective: striving to make employees happy.

o       Q: Does Light recycle its glass?

§         Yes.

o       Q:  Are there any products that are difficult to recycle?

§         Twice a year, management looks through materials being thrown out to seek out additional recyclables.

Best Practice Presentation: Lindsey Frye

Kevin Youngquist and Pat Palazzolo from Earthtonics introduced their company and its goal to reduce the carbon footprints of individuals and organizations.  Part of this effort is working with Lindsey Frye and her “Project Light Change” in Grand Haven. Frye was then introduced.

Frye began by explaining her efforts were rooted in an NPR story about a grassroots effort in Canada to hand out one compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) to every household in order to bridge the gap between awareness and action.  In the Canadian exercise as well as hers, CFLs were used in part because they are symbolic of individual empowerment.  It is expected that this program will increase environmental awareness, increase energy conservation, and promote further action.  This project also includes operating the “Grand Haven Green” store in Grand Haven.  Though some products are sold, the focus of the operation is education of residents, tourists, and children.  Part of this education is in correcting misinformation such as the danger of mercury in CFLs and the harshness of the light emitted by them.  In the future, Frye is moving forward with WMEAC and Earthtronics as partners as well as considering the reopening of Grand Haven Green next summer.  Additional funding is needed.

An additional piece of information worth noting is that many stores are recycling CFLs, including WalMart and Home Depot. 

Announcements-

q       Paul Murray requested that attendees to October’s meeting take a survey relating to the SBF.  Questions will be provided prior to the meeting.

q       Gayle DeBryun discussed the WMSBF’s collaboration with GRCC/M-Tec and Habitat for Humanity on two houses being retrofitted to be LEED certified residences.  She asked for support with materials and money from members.

q       State Sustainable Business Forum is scheduled for Thursday, November 13 on Western Michigan University’s campus. 

q       Diedre Remtema called for volunteers to the Kentwood Public Schools career day on October 29.  Contact her or Kyle Ten Broeke for more information.

q       September 27: Grand River clean up

E-mails are now being included in the minutes to facilitate greater communication among members