Sports Equipment Manufacturer Receives Statewide Recognition for Environmental Excellence
Reduced Fuel Consumption has Positive Impact on Company’s Bottom Line

SUNBURY, Northumberland County – In a ceremony on April 10, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Kathleen McGinty announced the 12 winners of the 2007 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Among the awardees was Resilite Sports Products, Inc., a client of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers’ Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP). The Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence honors projects that demonstrate a commitment to developing and building environmental stewardship and economic development in the Commonwealth. “Each of this year’s winners is making invaluable contributions to improve the health of Pennsylvania’s natural resources,” McGinty said.

Award winner Resilite Sports Products, Inc. has been manufacturing quality athletic mats for over 40 years. Located in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, the company has provided over 100,000 schools, universities, clubs, and personal homes with Resilite Athletic Mats.

Paul Gilbert, president of Resilite, originally contacted EMAP for assistance with environmental compliance issues. While working with an EMAP consultant, he learned of the program’s energy efficiency services and requested an energy efficiency assessment.

The typical EMAP energy assessment consists of three parts: an analysis of one year’s worth of electric and fuel bills; an on-site assessment of the facility; and a detailed report providing recommendations for improvement, including associated costs and payback periods. For Resilite, the priority recommendation was to upgrade their boiler and steam distribution system by insulating the main lines and the condensate tanks. To help offset the $11,600 cost of this project, Resilite applied for a DEP Small Business Advantage Grant and received the full eligible amount of $5,800.

In the first nine months following implementation of the boiler project, Resilite reduced fuel oil consumption by 20,100 gallons, saving $39,960 in fuel costs. After applying the grant funds, the company’s payback on the investment was only one month. In addition to a reduction in fossil fuel use, the project has other benefits to the environment, eliminating the emission of 3,154 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 482 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 99 pounds of carbon monoxide, and 41 pounds of PM10.

Following the success of the boiler project, Resilite was interested in other opportunities to reduce fuel costs. With the continued rise in diesel fuel costs, Mr. Gilbert decided to purchase two Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) to reduce the fuel consuption of his trucks when idling. The estimated savings are 2,160 gallons of fuel and $6,480 per year. Resilite applied for a second DEP Small Business Advantage Grant for the APUs and was awarded the grant in September 2006. The company is currently implementing that pollution prevention project at its facility.

Mr. Gilbert appreciated the in-depth technical assistance he received, stating, “EMAP was a valuable source of expertise for our company.”

Resilite joins a growing list of EMAP clients receiving recognition for their environmental efforts. In the past three years, EMAP clients have received 10 local, state, and national awards, including six out of eight nationwide 2006 U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Small Business Awards.

CONTACT

Megan Schmidgal

(215) 898.1219