Crystal Window & Door Systems Goes 'Green'

The design of Crystal's Energy Star® rated Series 200 double-hung vinyl window is just one of the many "green" initiatives and practices identified in the recent corporate review.

Coinciding with Earth Day 2008, Crystal Window & Door Systems recently completed a comprehensive survey of its environmentally friendly corporate practices and initiatives for the national manufacturer's main New York headquarters and production facility. The review covered the broad corporate areas of product design, production equipment, manufacturing processes, raw materials, recycling, building operations and personnel practices. The company looked at items such as how it purchases and stores raw materials, how it manages waste and even how employees commute to work. In total, 45 important specific corporate practices or initiatives that are environmentally friendly or reduce the company's environmental impact were documented.

"We knew our end products were environmentally friendly by design, but we wanted to look at our entire operation to see how progressive we are in other areas," Crystal Window Executive Vice President Steve Chen said. The results were impressive, revealing that Crystal was even "greener" than it originally thought and confirming what company executives already believed- that being environmentally responsible is also good for the business bottom line of the fast growing national window and door manufacturer.

With increasing societal emphasis on environmentally responsible corporate efforts, and with greater economic incentives and regulatory requirements, construction projects from commercial developments to residential remodeling jobs are incorporating "green" products and practices. Crystal has long been a manufacturer of energy efficient window and door products. All Crystal vinyl and aluminum windows offer energy efficient features and options such as dual-pane "Intercept" spacer insulated glass systems, low-E glass coatings, multi-chambered frame designs, and for aluminum products thermal break or Insul-bar technology to reduce energy transfer through the frames. In fact, several of its vinyl windows are US DOE/EPA Energy Star® rated.

The specific "green" initiatives or practices go beyond the product line and cover much of the company's operations. In the area of manufacturing, for example, raw vinyl powder is shipped and stored on site in bulk, significantly reducing the required transportation and packaging associated with smaller deliveries. State-of-the-art computer controlled production equipment ensures minimal waste glass and vinyl. Aluminum products are finished using powder coating, a much more environmentally benign process than wet painting.

Recycling is key to managing waste throughout the plant. Vinyl scrap is reclaimed and recycled and aluminum and glass scrap is sold to commercial recyclers, as are wood pallets and cardboard packaging. Even unclaimed finished window and door products are resold or donated wherever possible.

Beyond manufacturing, Crystal operates a "green" building for its employees. The office and factory were designed to maximize natural light and ventilation. Automatic controls for heating, cooling and lighting further reduce energy usage, and low water use fixtures throughout the facility ensure water is not wasted. Additionally, Crystal participates in the energy curtailment program "Operation Save New York" to voluntarily reduce electricity usage when notified by the local utility of impending supply problems with the electric grid, usually during summer months.

Employees are part of the "green" picture at Crystal. The company instituted a formal energy reduction program last year and rewarded employees' energy saving ideas. A majority of employees live locally and commute to work by public transportation, carpooling, bicycling or walking. Because restaurants are generally not within walking distance to the facility, the company also offers employees a convenient lunch order-in service and refrigerators and microwave ovens for "brown baggers".

For more information about Crystal and its products, call 718-961-7300 or visit www.crystalwindows.com.