ROUND2 Uses Balers to Efficiently Deliver Green Economics

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ROUND2 INC. has been coined the “largest recycler in the Midwest”. ROUND2, an Avnet Company, is a national provider of integrated and customizable electronics reuse and recycling programs. They deliver Green Economics through commercial and environmental solutions for end-of-life technologies such as IT Asset Disposition, Product Remarketing, Certified eCycling and Data Destruction. ROUND2 is focused on providing environmentally responsible recycling solutions for manufacturers and users of electronics such as commercial, industrial, municipal, and governmental entities.

Troy Zimmerman is a Project Engineer at ROUND2 and knows the importance of finding the right equipment solutions for their specialized recycling needs.  He explains, “As an engineer within ROUND2, I am in charge of all the industrial equipment, process improvements and other technical projects in various departments. My main goal within the organization, is to keep the company running as LEAN as possible and design new ways to improve its operational efficiency.”

Troy and the team at ROUND2 first learned about Harmony Enterprises from a joint recycler who used the down stroke Harmony balers at all of their regional locations. Troy networks with other companies to find the best possible solutions to improve their operating efficiencies. His advice, “When sourcing equipment to help you manage your e-waste, speak with companies in your industry that have experience with many different machines.”

ROUND2 chooses waste management equipment based on three important factors:

  1. The quality of the machine

  2. The level of technical and customer service

  3. The efficiency of the equipment for specific types of waste

ROUND2 has a wide array of equipment that they use to deliver their e-waste solutions to their customers nationwide. Part of their fleet of trusted products is the T60XDRC and S60XD balers from Harmony Enterprises. ROUND2 knows that when service or support is needed, that the Harmony staff is reliable and knowledgeable. Troy has observed it first-hand, “Harmony’s technical support and prompt response time has helped ROUND2 run at maximum capacity during the most crucial of times.”

T60 – Tough and Versatile
Bales plastics, motherboards, non-ferrous metals

ROUND2 uses the T60XDRC from Harmony Enterprises because it gives them flexibility. Troy explains, “The T60 is the most versatile baler we have ever used. It can bale anything from plastics, motherboards, and non-ferrous metals.” The T60XDRC is powerful enough to tackle tough jobs and Troy agrees, “The hydraulic ejection is a key feature with this machine when producing bales over a ton. The T60’s automatic cycle and rear chute allow us to constantly feed the machine while the sensors and control system prevent overloading of the baler and let us know when the bale is ready for ejection.”

S60XD – High Density Bales
Bales ABS and PE Plastic, cardboard, shrink wrap

ROUND2 uses three S60XD’s to bale ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PE plastic (Polyethylene) along with cardboard and shrink wrap. The S60XD helps Troy achieve his goal of running as lean as possible and improving operating efficiencies. Troy specified, “We chose the S60 baler because of its low cost, automatic controls and its ability to produce high density bales. The durability of the baler is great for baling rigid plastics such as ABS, and requires little maintenance or down time.”

Since the S60XD baler create high density bales, the Harmony equipment has helped ROUND2 to achieve maximum container volume for outbound shipments. Troy admitted, “The efficiency of the Harmony machines has helped us free up floor space from commodities that originally we weren’t able to bale.” ROUND2 prides themselves in helping their customers turn their green recycling initiatives into profit in the most efficient way possible. Harmony Enterprises is honored to be a small part of making that goal happen.

 

Filed Under: Case Studies, Green Business, Non-Ferrous Recycling, Plastic Recycling, Waste Managment Equipment Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reliable Balers, Reliable Maintenance

February 29, 2012 By 2 Comments

Front Range Maintenance, based out of Littleton, Colorado has been a distributor of Harmony compactors and balers since 1999. The owner, Skeeter Gosney, has been repairing balers and compactors since 1972, and then bought Front Range Maintenance with his wife Linda in 1998. They have a crew of five (including Skeeter’s brother, Ron, the Installation Manager) who service and install the products they sell. Although they sell products nationwide, their installation and service area includes the states of Colorado, northern New Mexico, western Kansas, western Nebraska, southwest South Dakota and Wyoming.

By primarily using word-of-mouth as their advertising, they stay extremely busy selling, installing and repairing Harmony balers and compactors, as well as equipment from other manufacturers. They sell recycling and waste management equipment to a variety of facilities, from mom-and-pop grocery stores to larger chains like Safeway, and Recycling Facilities. Front Range Maintenance’s focus is on providing their customers with reliable equipment, by selling products from brands they trust and by offering a Preventative Maintenance Plan.

Reliability was a key factor in Skeeter’s choice to start selling and servicing the Harmony line of recycling equipment. Since the beginning, Skeeter has been impressed with the quality and durability of the Harmony products. Skeeter explains, “The first thing we do before working with a new company is visit the factory. We knew from the start that Harmony makes good high quality equipment.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Case Studies, Waste Managment Equipment Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Value-Driven Recycling at Fareway Stores

February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With 100 grocery stores across Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska, maintaining the recycling and trash for Fareway Stores is no easy task. But they have the equipment, systems, and staff in place to make it efficient. Leo Hickey, who has been responsible for the “In Store” maintenance since 1993 explains, “Each of the 100 Fareway Stores has one M60MD Baler for baling recyclable cardboard. They also have one M42BC Baler that is used to make trash bales. Our warehouse recycles cardboard, plastic, and aluminum.”Harmony Baler at Fareway Stores

With the commitment to their green recycling and waste management initiatives, Fareway Stores has made huge strives that benefit both their company and the environment. “All of our qualified employees are able to use the balers because they are simple and straightforward to operate,” Leo goes on, “Last year, as a company, we recycled 9000 tons of cardboard.” In addition to the positive impact to Mother Earth, the landfill fees that Fareway Stores has saved is enormous.

“Last year, as a company, we recycled 9000 tons of cardboard.”

The balers that Fareway Stores uses have proven themselves to be reliable and easy to use over not just years, but decades. Fareway currently has a large number of the M60 Balers that are 25 years old or older. The advice that Leo would give to other retailers or grocers who are trying to manage their waste or recycling is simple, “Use the M60MD Baler by Harmony Enterprises. It is a ‘workhorse’. We have proven it.”

“Use the M60MD Baler by Harmony Enterprises. It is a ‘workhorse’. We have proven it.”

When Fareway needs replacement parts or customer support, they get the same service they pride themselves on giving their own customers. Leo explains, “Harmony’s customer service is top notch. They consistently come thru with whatever I need and as quick as humanly possible. I can’t say enough how pleased I am with their service.” Leo sees the similarities between the two companies, “Fareway Stores has been built on the promise of ‘Economical Food Distribution’ and outstanding customer service. We always carry your groceries to your car and put them in it for you. Harmony Enterprises reminds me a lot of us. They seem to have the same values that we have at Fareway.”

Filed Under: Cardboard Recycling, Case Studies, Green Business Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Horizontal Baler Custom-Made for Multinational Bottling Company

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Rockwell Automation Speeds up Time to Market and Expands Global Reach

Harmony Enterprises designs custom recycling and waste management solutions, so they are experts at creating horizontal balers to meet specific needs, on a tight deadline. But by teaming up with Rockwell Automation, at a higher level, they have made the custom design process happen on-time and on-target for the global baler market.

Harmony began designing a new SSG2 horizontal baler for a large, multinational beverage company in 2010. The bottling company was looking for a high-capacity baler for one of its bottling facilities to be delivered in just 3 short months. Harmony’s team of engineers were up for the challenge, but also knew that there was a lot to learn about the enduser’s design requirements in order to meet the deadline.Harmony Horizontal Baler Rockwell

Although Harmony Enterprises had been using Rockwell Automation’s programmable logic controllers (PLC) for years, Steve Cremer, President at Harmony, and his team knew that this project required more control and integration. To Cremer, it was an opportunity to expand his team’s expertise to an integrated control platform and design a new piece of equipment to meet expanding customer needs. Cremer explains, “We want to design equipment that will still lead the way five years down the road and beyond.” Harmony Enterprises again teamed up with Rockwell Automation for this aggressive custom project, to gain the higher level of integrated machine solutions and safety control for the baler, as well as engineering support. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Case Studies, Green Business Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Renault’s Moroccan Car Factory Reduces Waste with Baler

December 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Harmony Europe, SITA Solving, and the Moroccan Renault Car Factory

It’s not very often that you can tie an industrial baler to an electric French car, but we can.

Harmony Enterprises has been working with a leader in the French waste recycling industry, SITA Solving, for over fifteen years. But with the fairly recent opening of the Harmony Europe office, Harmony is now able to provide enhanced worldwide service.  Jean-Marie Rosenzweig, Managing Director of Harmony Europe explains, “With the growing balers market, our Harmony Europe office gives us the capacity and reactivity for worldwide repairs and maintenance….As SITA Solving expands they were looking for a better waste control system, and  Harmony Enterprises has been able to provide the solution through their large choice of equipment.”renault green Moroccan Car plant

Jean-Marie Rosenzweig goes on to explain how a Harmony baler got into a Moroccan car factory, “SITA Solving deals with waste solutions in the Renault Car Factory in Morocco, in a tax free zone considered as a European economic territory.” The Renault car factory in Morocco is the number one French car manufacturer, and its alliance with Nissan makes it the world third largest automaker. According to the Renault.com, “The Renault-Nissan Alliance is developing a complete range of 100% electric powertrains… For Renault, the electric vehicle is a real long-term solutions to today’s environmental and noise pollution issues in cities.”

According to the European Commission Environment, the Renault Moroccan car plant has already established a reduction in energy consumption, reduction in water consumption, and reduction in waste. Renault aims to cut their carbon dioxide emissions by 98% at this same Moroccan plant, making it the first car factory in the world to use renewable energy. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Case Studies, Green Business Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Recycling Center Uses Automatic Baler for Greener Revenues

November 22, 2011 By 2 Comments

This isn’t your ordinary recycling center, because it isn’t an ordinary person running it.  Terry Buenzow has been the Department Manager of Winneshiek County Recycling Department  since early 2000. Terry is enthusiastic about recycling and it shows. Prior to coming to the Winneshiek County Recycling, Terry was the purchasing manager of a precision metal fabrication company.  This is where the interest for recycling started.  Terry explains, “I dealt with a large amount of scrap materials when I was in manufacturing and that is in many ways an extension of what I am doing today.”

Terry oversees the recycling of everything from cardboard and Winneshiek County Recycling plastic, to lawnmowers and bikes.  This recycling center does it all and has the whole county behind them.

As a recycling center owned and operated by Winneshiek County itself, the management and staff is very cognizant of efficiency and revenue.  Terry’s strategy, “We try and divert as much recyclable material as possible from the Winneshiek County Landfill at the lowest possible cost and at the same time deliver the most revenue possible back to the taxpayers of Winneshiek County.”

The Winneshiek County Recycling staff are not the only ones who are focused on the end result.  The local community of Winneshiek County, Iowa, seems to be very engaged and on-board with the recycling initiatives.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Case Studies, Plastic Recycling Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

McDonald’s Equipped with SmartPacks Save Time & Money

October 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Fast food restaurants like McDonald’s are known for quick service, but they also need to be clean and keep their costs down. One way that some McDonald’s save time and money is by installing a SmartPack automatic trash compactor in their restaurant lobby.

C & R Restaurant Management, based in West Jordan, Utah, was started by Chuck Sparrer when he purchased his first McDonald’s franchise over 35 year ago. The company has continued to grow and his two children Chris and Rob have both become McDonald’s owner operators. So far C & R supplies the restaurant equipment to 26 McDonald’s restaurants. Scott Pugh has been working with C & R for 26 years. He remembers, “ I started as a crew person in high school, worked my way through college, graduated and then decided I was working where I wanted to be and with people that I really enjoy.” Today Scott is the Director of Operations at C & R Restaurant Management.McDonald's Progressive with Waste Management

A big part of Scott’s job at C & R is to supply the McDonald’s Restaurants with equipment that will keep them profitable and running efficiently. Scott remembers what it was like when they used standard trash receptacles in the restaurants, “Prior to the SmartPack’s we would change the trash cans about five times a day.” Then, they saw an automatic trash compactor in action, “We saw the SmartPack in another restaurant and wanted to try them out in a new restaurant that we were building at the time.” The rest is history. To date, C & R has installed 42 SmartPacks trash compactors in 16 of their McDonald’s restaurants. The McDonald’s that have SmartPacks installed are saving time and money in trash clean-up and removal. Scott is proud of the savings in time and money, “Typically we only have to change our lobby trash cans once a day with the SmartPacks. We are saving labor, operating costs and in trash removal costs.”

“Typically we only have to change our lobby trash cans once a day with the SmartPacks. We are saving labor, operating costs and in trash removal costs.”

Time and money savings aside, the SmartPack also enhances the McDonald’s customers’ experience. Scott explains, “Our customers love the compactor. The experience is more positive because the lobby’s trash cans are never overflowing. The appearance and feeling is also that we are a more eco-friendly business.” It is also a morale booster for the McDonald’s staff. Scott has observed, “Our crew likes these because their jobs are easier. No one really enjoys emptying the trash. Plus the SmartPacks are incredibly reliable. We rarely have a break down or equipment failure. ”

Scott’s advice to other quick-service restaurant and facility managers is straightforward, “The SmartPack is worth the investment! We love the idea of compactors saving us time and money in trash cleanup and removal.” In the end, the investment benefits not just the restaurant management, but also the employees, customers, and of course, Mother Earth.

 

Filed Under: Case Studies Tagged With: , , , ,
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