Suncast heads for the sun

By the end of 2022, all Suncast Corp. manufacturing facilities will be partially solar powered and the company’s West Chicago distribution center – 1.5 million square feet – will operate using 100% self-generated solar power, said the Batavia, Ill.-based company.

“As a company with ‘sun’ in its name, it’s only fitting that we harness the power of the sun for good. Renewable energy is key to our sustainability strategy and this solar milestone is the first of many to come,” said Jim Ahlborn, president and CEO of Suncast Corporation.

This manufacturer of resin products is harnessing the power of the sun with an expansion of its solar array as part of the company’s “Brilliant by Design” initiative to create a brighter, more brilliant future.

The company has already installed solar power at one-third of its manufacturing locations. This project will generate more than 14 million kilowatts of clean energy, it said, and save millions of pounds of carbon emissions.

The Brilliant by Design plan is focused on three core pillars:

• Powered by the Sun: Swapping wooden skids and blocks for recyclable corrugated cardboard versions, the firm will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% across all facilities by 2025 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
• Led by Innovation: Expanding its commitment to developing products that incorporate recycled content and can be recycled at the end of the products’ life. This includes reusing 100% of scrap resin in the manufacturing process.
• Inspired by Our People: Fostering a diverse community and promoting equal opportunity initiatives by supporting the people who make everything possible. Also, 50% of all executive and director-level positions to be held by women and minorities by 2025.

“At Suncast, we are always looking toward the horizon for improving our processes, products and environment to create meaningful impact,” said Ahlborn.

Founded in 1984, Suncast Corporation is a privately held designer, manufacturer, and distributor of consumer and commercial products for the home and industrial markets, all made in the U.S.