OZONE PARK, NY (BRAIN)—Worksman Cycles is flexing its power and conserving energy by installing a solar energy system at its New York factory.
“For all these years we’ve been promoting environmentally beneficial products and now we have taken the next step towards environmental responsibility,” said Wayne Sosin, president of Worksman Cycles, known for manufacturing industrial grade tricycles and bicycles in the USA.
“With all we’ve read about global warming and inspired by documentaries such as ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ the company set its goals on becoming proactive in this regard. We analyzed our energy consumption and delivery systems and recycling efforts. We realized that we could be and must be part of the solution,” Sosin added.
Located in a section of New York City called Ozone Park, the Worksman Cycles factory occupies a city block. Worksman Cycles is one of the first manufacturers in New York City to go solar. It was able to obtain incentives from the City of New York and well as grants from New York State agencies in order to make this project a reality.
The company currently is installing a solar energy system on the warehouse roof. A 15-kilowatt system featuring 72 solar panels will produce approximately 20 to 25 percent of the company’s electricity requirements to run the factory. It is expected to be online by late November 2007.
To reduce its overall electricity requirements, the company also is replacing every light fixture (over 400 fixtures) in the factory and office with high efficiency lighting systems. On the heating side, the entire factory roof surface is being insulated and re-surfaced. Finally, the company is recycling its corrugate by using a shredder to create packing material from flat corrugate panels that in the past were discarded.
“We feel good that we are taking the steps to reduce our energy requirements while positively impacting the environment,” Sosin said. “It is our hope that not only will Worksman Cycles become a more energy responsible company, but that we may also inspire other companies to get involved.”
