Foundry's Energy Manager Wins Award for Energy Management and Development

(WAUPACA, Wisconsin) October 2, 2024—Marco Gonzalez, corporate energy manager at Waupaca Foundry, has been selected as the Energy Manager of the Year for the Midwest by the Association of Energy Engineers. The award will be presented at the association’s regional awards in September. 

The association recognizes individuals for outstanding accomplishments in promoting energy management and development practices and principles.

In his role, Gonzalez is responsible for leading the company's energy and decarbonization efforts at plants nationwide. Waupaca Foundry is on a journey to be net zero and has invested in sustainability initiatives since 2001. Gonzalez and the environmental team have driven the iron casting supplier to achieve the following sustainability benchmarks: 

• Cumulative energy intensity reduction of 22% since 2009.
• Joined the U.S. Better Climate Challenge in 2022
• Joined the U.S. Better Buildings Low Carbon Pilot in 2021
• Earned ISO 50001 energy management certification at its Plant 1 in 2016
• Prepared its first CDP report (FKA Carbon Disclosure Project), and the first U.S. metalcaster to do so, in 2015
• Developed a formal energy plan and roadmap in 2014

Joined the US DOE Better Buildings, Better Plants Save Energy Now program in 2009, among the first 32 charter companies. “Foundries are energy-intensive operations. We are responsible for achieving our sustainability goals for our team members and customers,” said Waupaca Foundry President, COO, and CEO Mike Nikolai. “With Marco’s leadership we have reduced our energy requirements 22% since 2009 and this would not have been possible without his commitment to this goal.”

“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award,” Gonzalez said. “This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence on our journey to increase energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Waupaca Foundry has embedded sustainable business practices into its operations to gain efficiencies and offset costs while meeting both regulatory and stakeholder demands. The iron casting supplier is committed to environmental performance in addition to carbon and energy reduction. The following results have been achieved:

• 80% of spent foundry byproducts (sand) are recycled
• Water consumption has decreased by 70%
• Air pollution control systems at all plants are considered as “best available” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and associated state regulatory agencies.

More information about Waupaca Foundry’s sustainability journey may be found at this link. 

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