Earthcharter

SBA Case Study: Bay Tech Label

Friday, 26 February 2010 18:39

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

Company Name: Bay Tech Label

Contact: Russ Burchell, Quality Manager
Website: www.baytechlabel.com
Number of Employees: 30

Certifications/Affiliations:
Year Established: 1986
Industry: Print

Introduction: Bay Tech Label offers a full in-house graphics design in addition of their primary operation which they offer to convert pressure sensitive and tag material using flexographic printers. Furthermore, they continually invest in new equipments to sustain competitively in the rapid changing market environments. The two manufacturing facilities located in St. Petersburg, Florida (Headquarter) and Asheville, North Carolina.

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives (Planet)

Technology/Infrastructure: The printing machines have been redesigned that they were able to reduce their utility bills 25% less than the year before. However they capabilities of the printing machines stay the same; they offer virtually any label products imaginable while following strict detailed guidelines of the industry. Some of their specialty industries knowledge includes pharmaceutical, food products, nutriceutical, electrical, and industrial.

Materials and Recycling: The Sustainability Management Team at Bay Tech Label oversees several initiatives. Some examples include the Art Department that has been operating paperless in almost a year; in addition, their water is heated using solar energy, and plant lighting was replaced with ballasts that give off 20% less heat and require 35% less energy. They recycle in any opportunity for items such as paper, card board, cartridges, corrugated, wood pallets and ink. They were a proud sponsored of the Pinellas Living Green Expo where they offered product solutions with less environmental impacts.

Products/Services: They have adjusted and altered their manufacturing process in many aspects. The most important of all is which they modified their printing machines that utilize hot air circulation in order to dry ink efficiently. They have redesigned by connected the machines’ hot air intakes to the outside instead of taking cold room’s conditioned air. This has resulted in a significant lower utility bill.

Economic Impact (Profit)

 
As Bay Tech Label continues to success over the years, indicated by its profit being above an average of the industry, its management team has gained insights; thus, strategically grew and sustained through the current economic downturn without losing a single lay-off in 7 years. They also do local hiring and support local businesses that service the area such as painting, plumbing, electrical work, roof repair, heat and ac services.

Community Commitment (People)

External: Bay Tech Label voluntarily complied with the University of South Florida and Occupational Safety and Health Administration in regards to health and noise concerns which was done through periodical on-site inspection. They also always look to educate suppliers where they found most challenging in communicating their sustainability efforts. Therefore, newsletters have been a method to communicate with stakeholders and suppliers.
Internal: Bay Tech Label offers life and dental insurance plus matching 401k. They encourage employees to take buses at Karl Nurse who is the President of Bay Tech Label is also in the Boards of PSTA. Flexible work hours and tuition reimbursements are available for Bay Tech employees. They do provide classes for the Art Department and trainings for Manufacturing’s new-hires.

Partners/Recognition: USF, OSHA, and Progress Energy have recognized Bay Tech Label as a sustainable entity. Progress energy has done an audit in order to provide Bay Tech with the specific direction in order to reduce its utility bills. Their goal is to lower energy consumption by 5% this year.