May 6, 2004

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that Skilled Manufacturing Incorporated and I & W Industries, L.L.C. in Traverse City have been designated as Michigan Clean Corporate Citizens in a program recognizing environmental stewardship.

Skilled Manufacturing and I & W Industries become the 80th and 81st to earn the honor and the first Clean Corporate Citizens in Grand Traverse County. Both facilities are owned by Dodd Russell and Jerry Carlson, Traverse City entrepreneurs.

“I congratulate the management and staff at Skilled Manufacturing and I & W Industries for their accomplishments,” Governor Granholm said. “Michigan’s economic future relies on environmentally responsible facilities that combine consumer-driven production with strong and effective environmental programs.”

“Our commitment to the environment is tied up with our commitment to excellence,” said Russell. “We want to be on the leading edge of clean manufacturing processes, just like we want to show leadership in technology and quality. It’s the way we do business.”

Skilled Manufacturing provides machined castings and modular assemblies of automotive parts to the automotive industry. Founded in the 1970’s, Skilled Manufacturing has since registered to the ISO 14001 international standard for environmental management in March 2003. The facility’s environmental goals include the elimination of on-site hazardous materials storage, reducing metal scrap, reducing electricity and water usage, and an aggressive recycling program. Skilled Manufacturing also has a strong environmental and safety training program that includes training for their subcontractors.

I & W Industries fabricates power steering hoses and other small-diameter metal tubes and lines for the automotive industry. Founded in 1998, I & W Industries was nominated two consecutive years for Minority Business of the Year by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council. The facility was registered to the ISO 14001 international standard for environmental management in September 2003. The facility team has set pollution prevention goals to eliminate all disposal and landfilling of hazardous wastes, obsolete computer hardware, and fluorescent lighting tubes. Other environmental goals include programs to reduce their use of electricity and compressed air.

The facilities have also voluntarily joined the DEQ as partners in the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership, according to DEQ Director Steven Chester.

“I applaud both Skilled Manufacturing and I & W Industries for being the first in Grand Traverse County to achieve Michigan’s top environmental designation,” said Director Chester. “These small businesses demonstrate that managing for environmental protection benefits the Traverse City community and also contributes to economic success.”

To qualify as a Clean Corporate Citizen, candidates must adopt a strong environmental management system, a facility-specific pollution prevention policy and program, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

Clean Corporate Citizens are eligible for certain regulatory benefits under the state‘s environmental programs, including expedited permit approval. The program is open to establishments regulated under any of Michigan’s environmental statutes. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised May 6, 2004 by Pat Watson