Wire Belt is a fourth generation, family-owned business and is one of only a few manufacturing facilities to achieve ISO 14001 registration, an international standard certifying the company's commitment to the environment and its pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle natural resources.
With two solar hot water systems and a 274-kilowatt solar array, solar energy is an integral part of Wire Belt Company of America's dedication to sustainability and energy cost reduction in domestic manufacturing industry. At the time of its initial installation in 2015, Wire Belt's 100-kilowatt array was the largest in the state. Over the years, ReVision Energy has installed two array expansions to subsequently add 174 kilowatts to their system.
The Londonderry, New Hampshire-based company manufactures customized conveyor belts, mainly for the food industry. McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are processed using the company's conveyor belts. The belts are also in use at Dunkin' Donuts, Quizno's, and many pizza chains such as Papa Gino's and Domino's.
The solar energy improvements further boost the company's goal of eventually offsetting 100% of the facility's energy use through renewable technologies, a milestone already achieved at the company's facilities in Germany and the United Kingdom.
"Manufacturing companies have many cost centers, and generating roughly 80% of our own energy is a huge relief valve," according to Wire Belt CEO David Greer. "It's a cost center that we no longer really worry about, no matter what the electric utilities do with pricing."
Wire Belt's mission is to grow manufacturing in the state by operating as a lean, green, values-driven team. Solar energy improvements have paved the way for Wire Belt to pursue those values, and the company has received positive feedback for its efforts. The solar installations are a point of pride among employees. Greer says customers also view Wire Belt as a positive example for the manufacturing industry. "Many of our customers are very pleased. Some have said that they truly appreciate companies like ours, and want to do business with us."
