By inournature on November 4, 2011
Last week a small crew from our Minnesota based corporate headquarters traveled to the southeastern U.S. to join volunteers from our storm door plant in Luray, VA in building a duplex. Andersen is a long-standing supporter of Habitat for Humanity (HfH), donating materials, skills and time as part of the company’s support of affordable housing. However, Andersen efforts are just one part of the whole volunteer story.
Each day during the build in Luray, coffee was donated by Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company (CBRC) – not your run of the mill coffee shop. Like Habitat, CBRC is committed to making the world around us a better place to live for everyone. Modern roasting technologies lower their carbon footprint by nearly 80 percent and 2 percent of sales support their H2O Initiative – dedicated to restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and ecosystem.
Habitat site in Luray, VA.
Kudos to Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company for their efforts! Habitat for Humanity job sites host collaborative efforts among companies who share common values and goals. While the rewards of building a Habitat home are reason enough to volunteer, rich experiences and relationships are gained even when sharing a simple cuppa joe.
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By inournature on October 27, 2011
It’s ENERGY STAR® Week here at Andersen Corporation. Most of us are familiar with the blue logo found on appliances, indicating greater energy efficiency, but what does it mean for windows? This week’s celebration was designed to bring awareness and clarity of the program to employees and dealers.
Our own Corporate Training group developed an educational module called “Learning on the Go”. It’s a fun, interactive way to engage and educate employees about ENERGY STAR. Participants learn how responsible shipping, renewable energy, efficient manufacturing and energy efficient products play a part in the overall ENERGY STAR program.
ENERGY STAR Week at Andersen Corporation
Along with the “Learning on the Go” booth, we hosted representatives from Xcel Energy and The Home Depot, each offered helpful hints on energy saving products and practices.
In 2010, with the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans avoided the equivalent of 33 million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions and saved $18 billion in utility bills! Look for the blue ENERGY STAR logo and help save energy and money!
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By inournature on October 19, 2011
We have a long-standing tradition at Andersen Corporation of supporting the communities in which we live and work. Fall kicks off our annual United Way campaign.
Current economic times are challenging for many; so this year it’s about “what we can do”. Employees across the enterprise pledged $236,000 in just the first week of the campaign! Combining that with the company’s match of fifty cents on the dollar makes for a good start to the year.
Efforts by employees to raise awareness for this year’s campaign resulted in fun and creative ways to celebrate giving. From penny wars to an airplane toss, bingo
Andersen Corporation's IT Group - Jungle themed mini golf putt putt hole
to putt-putt golf, and of course food! Pizza, popcorn, flapjacks, caramel apples and more all raised money and awareness for those in need, which could, and has been, any one of us.
Social responsibility is a part of how we’re measuring success. Profitability and environmental stewardship take into consideration societal impacts to maintain a healthy and sustainable business. Employees at Andersen Corporation understand the value of all three and it shows in what we can do.
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By inournature on October 14, 2011
In an industry-first licensing agreement, Andersen’s Fibrex® material will be used within the photovoltaic (PV) market. SOLON Corporation is one of the largest providers of PV products in the U.S. Andersen’s General Manager of Fibrex Strategic Operations Group, Scott Koenig said, “We’ve used Fibrex material with great success in our window products for nearly 20 years and we’re proud to be incorporating Fibrex material into proven renewable solutions by SOLON.” Read the full news release here.
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By inournature on October 7, 2011
There is some irony that the passing of Apple Founder Steve Jobs occurred during this year’s Greenbuild convention in Toronto, Canada. Remembered as a “visionary and creative genius” Jobs’ passion, resilience and ability to innovate outside the box fueled his great achievements. Common themes resonated throughout Greenbuild. Jobs didn’t just advance technology he transformed the way people think and act – similar to the task facing the building industry.
Passion to transform the built environment for the betterment of society, profitability and the environment itself is what drives those involved with Greenbuild. Keynote Plenary speaker Thomas Friedman spoke of the resilience common to those passionate about the green movement. He made the connection between the distressed state of our environment and our global economy, stating we are practicing faulty accounting with both the Market and Mother Nature.
Thomas Friedman - Greenbuild 2011
Friedman joked that those in the audience hadn’t gotten the word about these daunting issues facing us today. He said “Don’t get the word. Don’t ever give up!” In the spirit of Steve Jobs, Friedman pleaded, “Keep fighting the cause.” He concluded by stating it’s time the green movement stepped up to a green revolution, a time when the Green Building Council is known simply as the Building Council and its standards require the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability.
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By inournature on September 29, 2011
We look forward to experiencing the energy and inspiration next week at Greenbuild in Toronto! Follow us on Twitter @AW_InOurNature to catch all the buzz, and visit us at booth #1013N to see what’s next and sustainable at Andersen.
Join conference attendees at the Opening Keynote and Celebration. Thomas Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize-winner and internationally renowned author, reporter, and columnist, will provide the keynote, then lend his expertise to USGBC’s Resiliency Agenda panel, taking place at the opening celebration on Oct. 5. The panel includes ABC commentator Cokie Roberts; The Right Honorable Kim Campbell, Canada’s 19th Prime Minister; and Dr. Paul Farmer, Chair, Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Following the panel discussion, Grammy award-winners, Maroon 5 will take the stage! The band has been a staple in the music scene since 2002, and is devoted to fighting climate change and living greener for just as long.
Many educational sessions are offered throughout the conference, fostering the opportunity for expansion and exchange of ideas. Stay tuned!
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By inournature on September 20, 2011
Andersen Corporation’s Regulatory Affairs Department hosted a visit from Doug Anderson, manager of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Windows Program, on August 22. Anderson’s role on the Home Improvement Team is to research and promote cost effective ways to improve energy efficiency and comfort within homes, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Steve Johnson, Code & Regulatory manager - Andersen Corp., Shawn Aherns, Senior Marketing manager - Andersen Corp., Doug Anderson, Energy Star Windows Program manager, Mark Mikkelson, Corporate Regulatory Affairs director - Andersen Corp., Mike Koenig, Corporate Sustainability manager - Andersen Corp.
The ENERGY STAR Windows Program is currently working on the next criteria change, likely to take effect in late 2013. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor criteria are among key changes being discussed between the industry and the EPA. The EPA expressed their desire to “push the limits of dual pane glazing” in the next phase of the Windows Program. This likely means a more stringent U-Factor and SHGC in all U.S. climate zones.
Andersen highlighted the importance of long term durability and return on investment (ROI) as additional components to be factored into the upcoming changes. Other anticipated program changes may include an air infiltration requirement and a ratings verification component – to ensure product performance matches labeled performance.
Andersen Corporation supports and manufactures energy efficient, durable windows and doors and was the first window manufacturer to be named an ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999. Andersen was also named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2010 and 2011.
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By inournature on September 7, 2011
Andersen Corporation has supported the University of Minnesota’s Department of Forest Products’ scholarships for nearly four decades. This year’s donation will fund an endowed chair designated to teach and conduct research in the area of green building materials.
The Forest Products department has successfully educated and trained thousands of people including manufacturers and other professionals in the wood products industry. Their work positively influences home building and addresses strategies for improving environmental sustainability of the forest products industry.
The sponsored position continues this work with an eye towards the environmental life cycle of wood products and other sustainable building initiatives. The position seeks to capture product and market opportunities while educating future generations of industry professionals.
As defined by the University of Minnesota, “…a sustainable building is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner.” Nearly half of all green house gas (GHG) emissions are attributed to buildings. Therefore, improving the environmental footprint of building materials through research and education has the potential to improve overall building performance and substantially reduce their environmental impact. In this way, improved use of forest products in building materials can ultimately affect the economy, society and the environment.
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By inournature on August 23, 2011
Renewal by Andersen hosted Greening the Supply Chain: Drivers, Challenges and Strategies, August 18, 2011 at their headquarters in Cottage Grove, Minn. The event was put on by the Environmental Initiative, and Andersen has been a sponsor of their Business & Environment Series for over a decade.
Last week’s Greening the Supply Chain was the second of a three part Business and Environment Series for the year. When measuring energy use and environmental impacts, manufacturers find that the majority of a product’s total footprint lies within the supply chain. Therefore, while efforts to increase efficiency in the manufacturing plant are beneficial, the majority of opportunity is missed if supply chain activity is not addressed.
Mike Koenig, manager Corporate Sustainability - Andersen Corporation
Approximately 55 attendees represented a diverse cross section of industries including municipalities, governmental agencies and private and public companies. Such an expansive range of participants is one of EI’s greatest strengths, making for rich discussions that lead to environmentally friendly and profitable solutions.
The first Business and Environment Series studied best practices for leading sustainability initiatives and the last event, slotted for this fall, will address product stewardship. Find out more about EI and upcoming events here.
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By inournature on August 11, 2011
GradCo Structures & Homes, LLC recently completed one of the first LEED Platinum homes in the Houston, Texas area. The design and materials of this home helped reduce the HVAC demand by as much as 50 percent.
LEED Platinum Home - Cypress, TX. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Ryan, Ryan Photography
GradCo chose Andersen 100 Series windows with Low-E glass and made of Fibrex® composite material; a proprietary wood/polymer composite containing 40 percent reclaimed wood fiber from Andersen’s manufacturing operations. Fibrex® material never needs painting and won’t fade, flake, blister, chalk or peel. It’s twice as strong as vinyl and blocks thermal transfer better than aluminum, which contributes to reducing heating and cooling costs.
Within the LEED rating system buildings can achieve one of four levels of certification, Platinum being the highest ranking. According to builder Sergio Grado, they strive to implement a sustainable design approach in their construction. Installing Andersen windows helps Grado achieve this goal.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification system strives to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated. The building sector consumes nearly half of all energy produced in the U.S. annually. Replacing existing windows and installing new, energy efficient windows, helps improve energy efficiency which reduces environmental impacts.
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