DMI Companies hosts tour spotlighting energy efficiency
Doug Gudenburr, director of operations at DMI (far right), conducted a tour for several state officials, including state Sens. Camera Bartolotta (center) and Patrick Stefano (right).
Mark Soroka
Doug Gudenburr, director of operations at DMI (right), briefed state Sens. Patrick Stefano (center) and Camera Bartolotta (left) about the company’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing, during a tour on Thursday.
DMI Companies, North America’s largest producer of HVAC solutions, operates a large production site in Monongahela.
A group of state officials toured DMI Companies’ production floor in Monongahela, where they saw firsthand how energy efficiency is driving regional job creation and saving money for consumers.
According to Ray Yeager, president and CEO of DMI Companies, energy efficiency programs benefit Pennsylvania’s businesses, workers and consumers.
“DMI is building a better world for ourselves and our children by providing a sustainable environment through our products, operations and personal conduct,” said Yeager, who leads North America’s largest producer of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) solutions. “Today, we wanted to demonstrate what a company like DMI can achieve through energy saving. We also wanted to show how state policies such as Act 129 create a growing demand for DMI’s high-efficient products and support the growing energy efficiency industry in various districts.”
Act 129, Pennsylvania’s energy efficiency law, requires each of Pennsylvania’s seven electric distribution companies to reduce energy demand and consumption within its service territory. These utility companies contract with third parties called Conservation Service Providers to implement programs such as high-efficiency appliance and lighting rebates, building retrofits and smart meter installation.
“At DMI, we have worked to bring about culture change by driving sustainability in our personal lives,” Yeager said during the Thursday tour. “Our employees are now thinking about ways to practice sustainability, not only in the workplace but also at their homes.”
Lisa Pavan, DMI’s sustainability and environmental compliance manager, noted that the company has implemented many effective energy savings and sustainability solutions. For instance, DMI’s offices are now equipped with skylights, compact fluorescent lighting, energy-efficient air compressors, solar panels and programmable thermostats.
“Energy savings and sustainability are in our DNA,” said Pavan. “We care about how we are treating the environment.”
The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (KEEA) estimates that energy efficiency accounts for 62,431 Pennsylvania jobs — most of which are found in the construction industry. Headquartered in Charleroi, DMI has been a leader for creating more clean area jobs and employs hundreds of worker at its Monongahela plant alone.
State Rep. Bud Cook, R-Coal Center, said he hopes that other manufacturing companies will follow DMI’s lead to create more employment opportunities in the Mon Valley.
“There is where high-tech meets manufacturing,” he said. “This is our future. These are high-paying quality jobs that will be around a long time.”
State Sen. Patrick J. Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, said DMI is one of southwestern Pennsylvania’s best-kept secrets.
“There are many emerging companies such as DMI that are success stories,” he said. “I’m so pleased that a company of this nature is here in the Mon Valley. I saw a lot of people doing great work and enjoying what they do.”
Stefano’s sentiments were shared by state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township.
“DMI is doing a great job at utilizing the skills and talents of its workers. They didn’t lay people off. They brought them back and teach them newer skills,” she said.
Staff from the offices of state Reps. Matthew Dowling and Mike Turzai also took part in the tour.