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On Veterans Day 2015, Precision Plus Thanks the Team Members Who Served Our Country

Michael Reader

Precision Plus  of Elkhorn, WI is proud to employ veterans and support veteran organizations. On November 11, 2015, Veterans Day, we thank the following team members for their unconditional service to our country:

Michael Brown, Corporal
United States Marine Corps, 5 years of service
1-year team member

Angel Cabrera, Private First Class – Artillery
United States Army, 3 years of service
2-year team member

John Espinoza, Lance Corporal
United States Marine Corps, 2 years of service
12-year team member

Neil Fleischhacker, E8 Staff Sergeant
United States Army, 12 years of service
2-year team member

David Lee, Lance Corporal
United States Marine Corps, 4 years of service
4-year team member

Adam Rosseland, Private First Class
United States Army, 3 years of service
11-year team member

Kevin Wilson, E4 Third Class Petty Officer
Specialized in nuclear cooling systems aboard the USS Fulton Submarine
United States Navy, 4 years of service
1-year team member

Veterans Day (originally called Armistice Day) has been observed for nearly a century. On November 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m., a temporary truce was called to cease the fighting at World War I. Seven months later, the war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Wilson also declared November 11, 1919 as the first date to commemorate the ceasefire. Armistice Day did not become a legal national holiday until 1938. However, it was not until 1954, that the 83rd U.S. Congress approved to change the word “Armistice” to the word “Veterans,” and recognized this day to honor all Americans who served to protect our country.

On Veterans Day 2015, we extend our gratitude to our team members, and honor and celebrate them as well as all American veterans “for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

Precision Plus’ Solar Array Stats: CO2 Emission Saved: 15,189.97lb; Equivalent Trees Planted: 390.04; Light Bulbs Powered: 30,305.88 For a Day

Michael Reader

Today is August 29, 2015, at approximately 12 pm. It is a cloudy day in Elkhorn, WI, with the temperature barely making it over 60°F, and 80% chance of storms. Yet, the solar array installed on Precision Plus’ rooftop, is currently generating 22.46 kW of power (of its potential 99 kW), having produced 34.8 kWh so far today. Somewhat low, if compared with the total 649.523 kWh generated August 11th, a sunny day. But it’s cloudy and it is raining.

Since the array went live on August 7, 2015, it has produced more than 10MWh of energy. All things considered (sunny and cloudy days in Elkhorn, Wisconsin) the solar array is predicted to produce about 6.5% of the power consumed by Precision Plus

The installation, under the supervision of Kettle View Renewable Energy, LLC of Random Lake, WI took about a month to complete. The video below documents its progress. The images and the video within, are courtesy of Neil Fleischhacker, Facilities Manager at Precision Plus, who was also responsible for this project.

To read more about Precision Plus’ solar array, click HERE.

For any questions or comments, please contact Neil Fleischhaker by phone or email.

Green Initiatives in Place at Precision Plus in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, are Also Fiscally Responsible

Michael Reader

By Neil Fleischhacker
Facilities Manager, Precision Plus

More than just a trend, green initiatives are a reality. Helping protect our environment by taking decisive measures is at the top of the list of many organizations and commercial enterprises, including Precision Plus

There is, however, a flip side to the green coin, as green projects should not only be accountable for their impact on the environment, but they must also be seen as a business model for sustainability. In other words, they must be fiscally responsible.

Solar Array Installation

Early in July 2015, Precision Plus began installing solar array panels that will generate about 6.28% of the company’s demand for energy. This project has been in the works for the last 18 months. There were many considerations for this installation, including expandability, flexibility, the ability to be repaired and/or updated with new technology, and its return on investment.

At what point, considering all aspects, would the installation become a profit center? Look for more updates in August, after the installation is completed.

Filtering System for Oils

The same premise of maintaining a fiscally responsible sustainability initiative was put in motion when assessing a system that would filter varnishes and other particulates that shorten the life of the oil used in the plant’s machinery.

The $22/gallon oil used for this purpose is specially formulated with additives that make the equipment run optimally. With time, the oil becomes more acidic, slushy, and without the right lubricity, it increases the chances for damaging tools and parts, and even stopping production. If a machine goes down, it takes approximately 24 hours to drain it, clean it and restart it.

In the past, the unusable oil would be taken to an incinerator which handles these types of products. After researching other options, Precision Plus commissioned a custom-built filtering system from Hy-Pro, which recycles the oil by cleaning it and reinjecting it into the machines. To ensure the quality of the filtered oil is par with the requirements, a before and after sample is sent to a lab. In the last year, 600 gallons were recovered, extending the usability of the oil by an average of six months.

When the oil is no longer usable, rather than being incinerated, it is sent to a facility in Michigan to be reconditioned and completely stripped of additives and particulates, and subsequently resold. For each gallon the facility receives, Precision Plus is paid the current market price, with the highest price to-date being $1.35 per gallon. Although this already offsets the cost of shipping the oil to the facility, Precision Plus is looking to partner with other companies to help reduce LTL freight costs, and increase the profit for each gallon sold.

Shop Towel Oil Recovery Spinner

Another self-sustained green initiative has been put into place by spinning soaked shop towels and rags, and recovering regular oil. The spinner has a centrifuge that spins solids out of it. The recovered oil is then filtered and reused. In a typical week, 10 gallons of oil are recovered.

LED Lighting

Precision Plus has begun looking at LED lighting and whether it can also become a fiscally sound green initiative. LED lighting has been installed in the Shipping Department, and preliminary calculations indicate that it does make fiscal/environment sense to use in that department.   Included in the equation are initial cost, efficiency, maintenance required, life span, and predicted energy increases.

Precision Plus is committed to a business model of sustainability that benefits both the environment and the company.

Veterans Day 2014: Precision Plus Honors Those Employees Who Have Served

Michael Reader

Veterans Day is probably one of the most significant days in our country…a day when we stop so that together we can remember that we would not be here without the effort, dedication and sacrifice of our veterans. We want to take this opportunity to thank our own Precision Plus’s  team members who selflessly served our nation and defended our rights.