Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/66838
12 • JUNE 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS American Fence Association names first group of Blue Ribbon Contractors under new program GLEN ELLYN, Ill. – The Ameri- can Fence Association (AFA) has an- nounced the designation of 20 AFA contractor companies as Blue Ribbon Contractors since launching the pro- gram in January of this year. This program was created to help "recognize companies that demon- strate the highest ethical and profes- sional standards in our industry and are actively engaged for the advance- ment of the profession," said David Gregg, chair of the Blue Ribbon Con- tractor Committee. Each company that submits an ap- plication and is accepted as a qualify- ing Blue Ribbon Contractor will remain a Blue Ribbon Contractor for two years, after which point they will need to re-submit for an additional two-year term. Blue Ribbon Contractors will be able to display the Blue Ribbon logo on their materials during this time frame. Gregg said AFA believes that a company's designation as a Blue Rib- bon Contractor differentiates it from others in the business and gives it a competitive advantage in the market- place. "More important, however, because Blue Ribbon Contractors are committed to the highest ethical and professional industry standards and the advancement of the profession, con- sumers can feel confident that they are getting a professional fence installa- tion when they hire a Blue Ribbon Contractor," said Gregg. "This is an important factor in today's market- place where consumers demand value for every dollar." Blue Ribbon Contractors may use the logo on their web site and in print. Starting in 2013, Blue Ribbon Con- tractors will be recognized at FENCETECH. The following companies have continued on page 26 CertainTeed's Buffalo, N.Y. vinyl fencing plant achieves ISO 14001 certification for environmental responsibility VALLEY FORGE, Penn. – Cer- tainTeed Corporation's vinyl fencing plant in Buffalo, N.Y. recently reaf- firmed its commitment to environ- mentally responsible manufacturing when it achieved International Organ- ization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification. ISO 14001 standards were created to help companies minimize their en- vironmental impact and achieve con- tinual improvement of environmental performance. The Buffalo plant has maintained a tight focus on environ- mentally responsible operations since it opened in 2004 on a reclaimed brownfield site, the company noted. Plant management has instituted a total production maintenance program to inspire employees to continuously search for new ways to make opera- tions more efficient and sustainable. In addition, the plant was recog- nized this year by parent company Saint Gobain with an Excellence in Energy Efficiency award for reducing energy use at the plant by 12.5 percent in 2011. "I'm excited about our ISO 14001 certification because it shows the pas- sion that our employees have for re- ducing our plant's environmental footprint," said Joe Begansky, manager of the Buffalo plant. "Our employees are actively engaged in our recycling programs and are always looking for new ways to operate more efficiently and reduce waste. They're the reason that we were successful in achieving this certification." Improvements made in the past year include the replacement of 300 light bulbs throughout the facility with more energy-efficient T5 fluorescent bulbs and the installation of motion sensors to shut off the lights after peo- ple have left a room. The facility uti- lizes 100 percent hydropower and incorporates a closed-loop water sys- tem that saves more than 372 million gallons of water per year. Through an extensive recycling program, materi- als, such as paper, plastic, oil, steel and lumber are recycled, rather than sent to landfills and incinerators as waste. CertainTeed manufactures its fence, rail- Bufftech® and EverNew® ing and deck products at the Buffalo facility. Offering long-lasting durabil- ity, the products are 99 percent recy- clable, low-maintenance and do not require chemical treatment or painting. For more information about Cer- tainTeed fence, railing and deck prod- ucts, visit certainteed.com.