1987  /  Installation of fume scrubbers removes 99% of Contaminants in airstream.

Linetec has been environmentally focused long before green was anything other than a color. As an example, in 1987, Linetec’s installed fume scrubbers at its anodize facility. This equipment removes 99% of the contaminants in the airstream prior to exhausting outside into the atmosphere.

1992  /  MULTI-FACILTY MATERIAL RECYcLING PROGRAMs LAUNCHED

Since 1992, Linetec has led a multi-facility material recycling program. Each year, tons of aluminum cans, paper, plastic bottles, light bulbs, scrap PVC, wood, steel and other metal, cardboard and banding are diverted from the waste stream.

1994  /  DESTructive oxidizer protects from vOCs

In 1994, Linetec installed a destructive oxidizer that protects the environment by destroying the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the painting process. The facility captures 100% of the VOCs released and, of those, 99.4% are destroyed in its oxidizer.

1994  /  LINetec partners with re-usable containers

Partnering with its customers, in 1994, Linetec created a re-usable container system that uses material carts and cradles for shipping raw and finished product, without disposable packaging material and wood pallets. These carts and cradles are designed for stacking to effectively use the space within a truck or trailer bed to maximize trailer space.
These shipping containers are re-used for many years. Each year, hundreds of thousands of pounds of plastic, wood and cardboard associated with packaging are eliminated and diverted from landfill.

1996  /  Streamlining shipping & packaging waste reduction

Linetec also has focused on minimizing the amount of packaging materials, while not compromising the integrity of the packaged product. Since 1996, Linetec’s re-usable shipping containers have been available. These minimize the use of disposable wood pallets, and maximize container space within a truck or trailer bed helping reduce fuel for transportation. Minimizing wasted time and fuel, Linetec’s optimized truck routes and dedicated transportation fleet can ship finished materials directly to many of its customers and their job sites.

1998  /  Streamlining shipping & packaging waste reduction

Numerous miles of trucking and hours of driving also have been eliminated due to maintained inventory. Starting in 1998, key customers could ship large quantities of material to Linetec. This is stored and controlled by Linetec until the customer needs it to be finished and shipped. On average, 3 million pounds of customer-supplied aluminum is under Linetec’s supervision and care.

1999  /  Energy saving construction begins

Also helping save on energy costs, Linetec’s facilities began updates in 1999 to have white or light-colored roofs. This resists heat absorption and enables the buildings to cool down faster and minimizes air conditioning loads.

2003  /  TWO large dry coolers naturally reducing temperatures with little energy consumption

Given our Northern climate, Linetec used Wausau’s cold temperatures during fall, winter and spring to provide cooling for its anodizing tanks. To control the build-up of heat in the anodizing bath Linetec installed two large dry coolers in 2003, which act like a cars radiator. Water is pumped through the coolers, which reduces the temperatures, and the chilled water is returned to the building and used to cool the tanks. Linetec shuts down all electrical-run process chillers when outside temperatures dip below 35ºF. The facilities continue to benefit from this “free cooling” system until the outside temperature exceeds 55ºF, which provides a significant reducing in electrical consumption.

2007  /  DIESEL FUEL Consumption reduced through auxiliary power units

In 2007, auxiliary power units were added to trucks reducing unnecessary diesel fuel consumption by more than 85%. This has since become a requirement on trucks in California and New York.

2008  /  Scrubbers enhanced by circulating water supply

In 2008, the investment was enhanced by treating and re-circulating the water used from the scrubbers so that fresh water does not need be used in this process, saving more than one million gallons of fresh water per month.

2011  /  new automated paint dispensing system managing further waste reduction and cost savings

In 2011, Linetec’s added a new automated paint dispensing system that produces only the amount of paint needed for each specific customer’s order. “Just in time” savings and efficiency are realized when Linetec makes the batches and manages the waste reduction during agitating, cleaning, etc. Thousands of gallons of unneeded paint have been saved from this new dispensing system.