Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

A Company that Really Gets Green

By Paul Heney | August 24, 2012

Share

There’s a lot of PR value in talking about green. Many consumers want green because they feel it’s the responsible thing to do. Machine builders want green, too, because that can be a buzzword for increased efficiency—and with today’s exorbitant fuel costs, that means a lot less capital going toward energy. Green marketing has become so large, in fact, that it’s spawned a whole new term, greenwashing. Greenwashing is the practice of falsely claiming to be green or spending more marketing the idea that you’re a green company than actually doing something environmentally responsible.

In between engineering writing gigs, I covered the hotel management industry for a few years earlier this decade, and the practice of greenwashing is prevalent there. So I think I have a bit more of a skeptical eye than most when I hear that a company is doing something green. But at a recent industry event in Philadelphia, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the bearing company SKF is not only promoting itself as green, but seems to be truly putting its money where its mouth is.

From a manufacturing perspective, there are a couple of main green avenues to tackle. One is in the manufacturing perspective—aka, how well designed are the products? Do they achieve their structural and design goals without using excess materials or processes? And do they operate in as efficient a manner as possible, allowing the systems they are designed into to use a minimum of energy? The other is the company itself. Are its facilities (be they manufacturing, distribution, or operational) energy efficient? Or they all 1940s-era buildings, losing heat through ancient windows and pouring heated process water into a nearby stream?

green-engineering

SKF comes out a winner on both of these sides. Products released recently include integrated bearing sensor systems, electric cylinders, low friction engine seals, rotor positioning bearings, linear actuators, and low weight bearing hub units are all significantly more efficient then their predecessors.

Poul Jeppesen, President SKF North America, explained that the company is committed to its BeyondZero program, a strategy that endeavors to leave a positive effect on the economy. In fact, the company has grown 25% since 2006 and over that timeframe, the company’s total energy consumption has decreased 10% and its carbon footprint has decreased 25%. He highlighted some amazing parts of the program, from a global car policy that requires SKF employees to rent smaller, more fuel efficient cars to construction of their new North American headquarters, which earned a LEED Platinum rating. The building includes a geothermal heating/HVAC system, refurbished furniture, daylight harvesting and high efficiency lighting, and water-efficient fixtures.

Did the company rest on its laurels after achieving Platinum status? The answer is no—the company recently spent $2 million to add solar panels to the building roof. To me, that shows more than PR, that shows commitment.

Do manufacturers have a responsibility to be green? Weigh in on Paul’s blog at the Engineering Exchange.

Paul J. Heney – Editorial Director
[email protected]


Filed Under: Commentary • expert insight, Design World articles, Green engineering
Tagged With: SKF
 

About The Author

Paul Heney

Paul J. Heney, the VP, Editorial Director for Design World magazine, has a BS in Engineering Science & Mechanics and minors in Technical Communications and Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He has written about fluid power, aerospace, robotics, medical, green engineering, and general manufacturing topics for nearly 25 years. He has won numerous regional and national awards for his writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

Leading — and not giving advice
stem education
How to get a free STEM education
Hirschtick on the cloud, CAD, and the future
china-manufacturing-future-image
Is China’s manufacturing future in trouble?

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Industrial disc pack couplings
  • Pushing performance: Adding functionality to terminal blocks
  • Get to Know Würth Industrial Division
  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard

Design World Podcasts

July 26, 2022
Tech Tuesdays: Sorbothane marks 40 years of shock and vibration innovation
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings