Tapemark has numerous green initiatives related to facilities improvements, purchasing practices, and productivity. In 2007, Tapemark consolidated from five down to three facilities, minimizing energy costs for product transportation between buildings and eliminating energy costs to operate those facilities. In 2010, the company reroofed its 232 facility using the energy-efficient Duro-Last® roofing system. The high reflectivity of this white roof reflects the sun's energy, keeping the building 15 degrees cooler. Tapemark uses its state-of-the-art HVAC systems to not only maintain proper clean room environment, but also to cool its new data center with our existing chiller rather than depending on freon for cooling. In the data center, we've virtualized fifteen servers already, with plans to virtualize more, resulting in reduced energy consumption. We’ve reduced the energy demand to maintain pressure control in clean rooms by using frequency drives on variable motors, using energy only on-demand rather than requiring constant 60 Hz supplies. Tapemark participates in our energy provider’s saver switch program, cutting our office and warehouse energy requirements for 15 minutes every hour during peak demand. We are replacing lighting with more energy-efficient models, have converted to automatic paper dispensers in wash rooms to minimize paper usage, and are converting to automatic soap dispensers which can accommodate biodegradable soap. For equipment and clean room maintenance, we use biodegradable detergents if permissible for the products manufactured in that area.

Where possible, we select local vendors to reduce the energy impact related to transporting raw materials. Our vendor of choice for packaging (the printed “primary” boxes that are on the store or pharmacy shelves) is local, uses 100% wind power, and is FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council) for their commitment to use paperboard from suppliers who practice responsible forestry. Recycled paper choices are available to meet our customers’ needs, and printing uses agri-based inks rather than petroleum-based. Much of the raw material we purchase has some component or percentage that is plastic, especially for our liners, layers of films, and material used in medical devices. Our selected vendors all have strong internal plastic resin recycle/re-use programs.

We operate four production shifts, depending on product demand. Our two primary shifts are based on 4-day rather than 5-day workweeks, with 3-days each for our 3rd and 4th shifts, reducing internal energy consumption as well as employee transportation needs. Tapemark has a strong Continuous Improvement initiatives, and we have trained nearly 100% of our employees on lean manufacturing principles. Standard Work ensures consistency of production, and 5S efforts result in equipment and tools that can be redeployed or remarketed. Our kaizen events focus on, among other things, ways to reduce waste and non-value-added steps in all our activities. Waste reduction in manufacturing processes has a direct, positive effect for Tapemark’s green initiatives.

These are just a few examples of Tapemark’s commitment to our environment. Much more is underway, and activities involve every department.