Having a “green and sustainable” business approach is not really a new concept to most of us in the metal fabricating industries. We’ve been sustainable from day one.

Contact: Jack Gilchrist, President
Phone number: 603.889.2600

Earth Day was a few short weeks ago and we noticed that not as much hoopla seemed to be made of it this year as in years past. So we got to thinking that it might be good to remind folks that, in Earthgeneral, metal fabricators are good environmental stewards year round. We’re proud to say the metalworking industries have always done their share for conservation and sustainability.

Metal is extremely recyclable. The steel and metal working industries have been recycling countless tons of their own products and byproducts since smelting was invented, and that was a really long time ago!

Gilchrist Metal Fabricating Company has been pioneering the efficient use of resources and the minimization of its impact on the environment since its founding in 1975. Not only does this serve the best interest of future generations, it also has a positive effect on the business side of the equation. Consuming less of anything means you don’t need to pay for as much of it.

The way company president Jack Gilchrist figures it, GMFCo actually reduces the amount of new carbon created in the environment by all the recycling they do. “Let’s face it, every ton of steel we recycle results in less ore being extracted from the earth and less CO2 is produced by extracting it.”

The recycling of steel and other metals has immediate and significant impact on the amount of mining needed to supply demand. Mining ore can devastate or at least transform large tracts ofSteel Scrap pristine land. Heavy machinery & equipment needed for road building, mining and transportation add plumes of carbon to the atmosphere.

The more we recycle, the more we preserve open spaces. And the good news is that recycling scrap metal is very efficient in the production of new steel, iron, aluminum and some other metals. According to the EPA, in 2008 the steel industry recovered and recycled more than 14 million tons of shredded steel scrap from automobiles—a recycling rate of 95 percent. It’s worth repeating. Recovering steel not only saves money, but also dramatically reduces “greenhouse gasses” and energy consumption, compared to making steel from virgin materials.

Carrying the efficiency and good stewardship of recycling into everyday business operations is another way that GMFCo demonstrates being serious about sustainability. Throughout the shop floor, lunchrooms and offices, discarded materials such as bottles, cans, paper, cardboard and various plastics are collected for proper recycling. More importantly, the company has taken major steps toward continuous energy efficiency improvements including:

Upgraded high efficiency lighting
Conversion to variable speed compressed air
Inversion powered welding
100% wind energy powered
Donates part of recycling proceeds to local schools

It really isn’t more expensive to operate a “green” business when you do it for the right reasons. Conserving valuable resources and lowering energy costs is simply being efficient and cost effective. The steps we’ve listed are having major impacts on lowering some of our more burdensome costs. It’s nice to know we’re helping to keep the planet a little tidier at the same time.

Gilchrist Metal Fabricating Company is always happy to review your designs and shop drawings at any stage in the process. We can advise you of the feasibility and costs associated with taking your project to the next stage in manufacturing.