Eaton Manufacturing Plant Awarded "Efficiency Partner 2009" Recognition by Xcel Energy Corporation
April 6, 2009 - EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. ... Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced it has received Xcel Energy's Efficiency Partner 2009 Recognition for its Eden Prairie hydraulic pump, motor and steering unit manufacturing facility.
"We're very pleased to earn this recognition," said Lawrence P. Harer, maintenance and tool room manager for the 40-year-old, 233,000 square foot plant. "What's especially beneficial is that we didn't just reduce our carbon footprint, we also improved the efficiency of our operations."
Harer said that the Eden Prairie plant focused on opportunities related to its air management system. The plant requires a significant amount of compressed air for a variety of operations such as air-drying of painted parts, powering hand tools and removal of metal chips from machined parts.
"We replaced one of three compressors, invested in quieter, more low pressure types of air nozzles, eliminated some high volume compressed air blow offs with high efficiency blowers and installed an automated system to completely manage the plant's air handling, he said. "Along with a series of other incremental changes, the improved air management system was the key to our success."
Xcel Energy spokesman Ryan Schunk said the Efficiency Partners Recognition program recognizes a small group of businesses and trade partners for their outstanding efforts in 2008. "Energy-efficiency efforts, such as those at Eaton's Eden Prairie plant, are typically 'invisible' projects to those not directly involved with the project," he said. "This program is a way to publicly congratulate those efforts in a fashion that employees and customers can recognize."
Xcel Energy is headquartered in Minneapolis and serves residential and industrial customers in the Midwest and Southwest.
Eaton's Hydraulics Group is a segment of the company's Industrial Sector. The business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic systems and components for use in mobile and industrial applications. Mobile and industrial markets include agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, utility, material handling, earthmoving, truck and bus, machine tools, molding, primary metals, automotive, power generation, port machinery and entertainment. Eaton's Hydraulics Group provides customer-driven solutions under product names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydro-Line®, Synflex®, Vickers®, Walterscheid(TM), and Weatherhead®. For more information, visit eaton.com/hydraulics.com.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2008 sales of $15.4 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 75,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
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