Wisconsin paper producer exemplifies fusion of Lean manufacturing with environmental sustainability

A Wisconsin-based paper and materials converting company has been selected to participate in a statewide sustainability and Lean manufacturing initiative. The program is designed to scale back material use, energy consumption, CO2 emissions and unwanted by-products, while also improving product and service value.

Resource One International, based in Fox Valley, will participate in the Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative, supported by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

“We use renewable resources whenever possible and are constantly looking for creative ways to implement friendly changes in our paper converting processes,” said Tom Sonntag, president of Resource One. “Our ongoing goal is to become better stewards of our environment to match with our philosophy that we do not inherit our surroundings but are borrowing them from the next generation.”

One of the environmental efforts Resource One has adopted involves the optimization of material use by increasing paper converting yields and reducing raw material consumption, packaging and waste. The paper producer is also developing more efficient and cost-effective modes of shipping and transportation. Sonntag added that the company heats 100 percent of its manufacturing facility with energy generated entirely from its manufacturing processes.