University of Minnesota Design Projects

By inournature on May 11, 2012

Students from University of Minnesota’s Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) presented their Capstone Design projects last week. The room was filled with detailed poster boards illustrating their research and findings. Six teams, four to six students each, presented topics ranging from “Algae Dewatering” to “Fungal Lipids from Lignocellulosic Material for Biodiesel Production”. There was no shortage of smarts in the room!

Each team was evaluated on many different criteria – defining the problem, objectives and constraints, and considering global, economic, environmental and ethical issues. The BBE Department works to develop critical thinking in leaders who then create collaborative solutions to complex issues. This is why Andersen Corporation has supported the BBE for nearly four decades.

After watching some fascinating presentations, it quickly became clear why there is an abundance of energy and enthusiasm among group members. Their ability to address complex issues with vigor and passion is refreshing and helps ensure our future is in good hands!

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Sustainable Development: Ideal vs. Applied

By inournature on April 25, 2012

ASTM international, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials – a global leader in the development of consensus based standards – convened recently in Arizona for their bi-annual conference. The Committee on Sustainability, splintered off from the Performance of Buildings committee, helps guide material and product manufacturers in the areas of sustainability including environmental, social and economic.

Committee members tackled defining sustainability. The “ideal” vs. “applied” conflict quickly arose. As described by Chairman Dru Meadows, principal of the GreenTeam, Inc., the ideals of sustainability are necessary touch points that help guide our journey. However, along with “ideals” we need “applied” tactical and proven processes found in the marketplace to help advance us towards the “ideal”. The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development came from a report published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987. More commonly known as the Brundtland report, Our Common Future defines sustainable development as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Tackling the large, complex issues of sustainability is no small or easy task. Efforts by participating members of ASTM E60 strive to identify needs and opportunities, draft guidelines and provide a roadmap for continuous improvement in the areas of sustainability. The takeaway message suggests not getting bogged down with perfection – defining the possibly unattainable “ideals” – but rather implementing and advancing some of the proven “applied” sustainability efforts that move us along in the right direction.

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Andersen Corporate Foundation Celebrates its 70th Anniversary

By inournature on April 12, 2012

This year marks 70 years of philanthropy for the Andersen Corporate Foundation. Andersen’s founders realized the importance and value of strong communities, a healthy environment, and a profitable business decades before John Elkington coined the term Triple Bottom Line in 1994.

The mission of the Foundation is, “To better people’s lives and strengthen communities, focusing primarily where Andersen employees live and work.” With dozens of facilities, including manufacturing, distribution and retail showrooms many communities within the U.S. and Canada have benefited from over $49 million dollars given throughout the years. In addition, the company encourages its employees to volunteer their time in communities where they live, and applauds those efforts.

The Foundation helps fund libraries, hospitals, educational institutions and disaster relief. Fred and Kitty Andersen began the foundation in the early 1940’s. “Philanthropy was how the [Andersen] family approached life and how they lived their lives,” said Susan Roeder, vice president Andersen Corporate Foundation. Read further details in the recent article here.

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National Window Safety Week is April 1-7

By inournature on April 4, 2012

It is National Window Safety Week and a good time to revisit tips to help prevent window-related accidents.

“Windows and doors do more than provide views, sunlight and breezes, they can provide an important path to escaping a fire or emergency, yet left open, they can be a potential fall hazard,” said Andersen Corporation Manager Shawn Aherns. “We believe that companies making products for the home should help increase safety awareness in the home.” 

We’ve updated our LookOut for Kids® window safety program with new material and tips to help educate consumers and caregivers. Read the full press release here for more details.

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ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence

By inournature on March 27, 2012

Andersen Corporation President and CEO Jay Lund and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

ENERGY STAR® recognized the top U.S. manufacturers for their work on behalf of energy efficiency in this country and handed out a few awards recently in Washington D.C. We are very pleased to be the sole window manufacturer to receive this important distinction this year. Winning three years in a row means we are now an ENERGY STAR Sustained Partner. Thank you to our friends at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for recognizing us in this way and a special thanks for the opportunity for our CEO Jay Lund to meet personally with EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and talk about the future of energy efficiency.  It was a great honor!

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Andersen’s New Alternative Fuel – Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Follow up post….

By inournature on March 23, 2012

Watch video highlights from the CNG grand opening here!

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Andersen Supplier Becomes a “Green Professional”

By inournature on March 16, 2012

Cardinal IG, a major glass supplier, recently earned Green Professional status with the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council’s Green Masters Program. Cardinal IG provides energy efficient insulating glass (IG) for Andersen windows and doors. Successful performance in nine “sustainability areas” earned them this achievement.

Executive Director of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, Tom Eggert said, “Cardinal IG minimizes the environmental footprint of their products during production, and their products serve to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings that they are installed in. Since the housing sector is the largest single consumer of energy in the United States, Cardinal IG’s focus on sustainability is essential.”

Andersen’s ability to reduce environmental impact hinges on the actions of our suppliers. Taking the necessary steps to earn Green Professional status illustrates the value of our business relationship and a shared commitment to the environment and sustainability.

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LivingHomes’ Prefabricated Home – a Big Hit!

By inournature on March 8, 2012

Simplicity and sustainability made the prefabricated, LEED Platinum C6 home by LivingHomes a big hit during Modernism Week and the Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) Conference in Palm Springs and Long Beach, California recently. As a sponsor, Andersen 100 Series windows contributed to the home’s energy efficiency, durability and affordability.

photo by LivingHomes

Visitors who were intrigued and impressed by the home’s design and features include the likes of philanthropist Paul Allen, Olympian Jeremy Bloom and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The home’s simple elegance, environmentally friendly attributes and affordable price make it both appealing and attainable to many.

The qualities and values incorporated in the C6 home span generations, professions and income brackets. Perhaps this modest, environmentally friendly home bridges a gap by providing common ground for solving environmental issues into the future.

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Andersen’s New Alternative Fuel – Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

By inournature on March 2, 2012

Andersen celebrated the grand opening of a new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station this week near our Menomonie, Wisconsin plant. The Cedar County Cooperative Cenex station will provide a new alternative fuel source for us as we begin converting our transportation fleet to CNG, versus diesel. This begins with seven new trucks that reduce operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions.

 

“At Andersen, we believe finding new ways to use alternative energy is one way to help restore economic growth for everyone, and this project shows how the rubber literally meets the road,” said Lance Whitacre, Vice President, Logistics. “Leveraging this unique partnership today yields far reaching benefits for us that improve the triple bottom line – good for the people, profitable for the companies and beneficial for the environment.”

Natural gas vehicles show an average reduction in ozone-forming emissions of 80 percent compared to diesel-powered vehicles. Additionally, more than 99 percent of the natural gas used in the United States comes from domestic or other North American sources. Compared to liquefied natural gas and diesel fuel, CNG has the lowest price, lowest emissions and an extensive infrastructure in place. Of the 1,000 CNG stations in North America, though, less than half of those are truck-friendly.

Read all about our exciting new sustainability effort here!

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Andersen Corporation Honored with 2012 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award

By inournature on March 1, 2012

Andersen Corporation was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2012 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award for its family of brands including Andersen Windows, Renewal by Andersen, Eagle Window & Door, American Craftsman Window & Door Company and Silver Line Building Products.

The ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence distinction is reserved for ENERGY STAR partners demonstrating outstanding leadership year after year. The 2012 Sustained Excellence Awards are given only to organizations that have been named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for three or more consecutive years.

“Andersen Corporation’s outstanding accomplishments show that improved energy performance can be good for the environment and good for business,” stated Jonathan Passe, Chief, ENERGY STAR Residential Branch, in a letter to the company.

Andersen receives the ENERGY STAR designation for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by educating consumers through the use of ENERGY STAR information in consumer education programs, advertising, media relations, web sites, social media and training materials. This distinction honors Andersen’s ongoing commitment to providing energy-efficient products, as well as the company’s comprehensive continuous improvement using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to limit environmental impact.

“Andersen’s commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability is a part of our heritage. It is in our nature, our company culture, and every product we create,” said Jay Lund, president and chief executive officer of Andersen Corporation. “This is made possible only by the collective contributions of everyone at Andersen. Each of our employees should be very proud of what they have done to help earn this award.”

Andersen will be recognized March 15, 2012 at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, and new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Andersen has been part of the ENERGY STAR program since its inception in 1998 and was the first window manufacturer awarded the ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999.

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