In every aspect of company operations, we adhere to lean production principles and processes that enable us to deliver maximum value to our customers while minimizing waste and space usage. Less waste results in fewer manufacturing byproducts and smaller landfills, while less space requires less energy to heat and light our facilities.
While most of our industry manufactures offshore, every Hammerton product is manufactured, assembled, packed and shipped from Salt Lake City, Utah. Additionally, most of the raw materials that go into our products is sourced within the 48 states. Domestic sourcing and manufacturing dramatically reduces the embodied energy in Hammerton products primarily because of the inherent environmental costs associated with transporting raw materials and finished goods over long distances, and the fact that most foreign production facilities have significantly lower environmental quality standards than we do in the U.S
Our use of lean manufacturing methods reduces both waste and space usage during the production process. Less waste results in fewer manufacturing byproducts and smaller landfills. Less space requires less energy to heat and light our plant. To further reduce energy usage, we use high efficiency luminaries in all of our buildings. We also use state-of-the-art software to minimize scrap in our steel cutting operations.
We have pioneered a new generation of high performance architectural powder coat paints that provide the aesthetic appearance of our traditional wet coat paints, plus the durability and environmental benefits of powder coats. Our powder coat paints are VOC-free and contain no hazardous air pollutants. Additionally, over 98% of overspray can be retrieved and reused, minimizing waste and disposal hazards. Hammerton paints can contribute toward LEED credits under the USGBC category of “Indoor Environmental Quality”.
In order to safely ship our products, we use bio-stable, recyclable packaging foam that expands to about 280 times its original volume. Two drums of this material – less than a pallet’s worth – is equal to an entire tractor trailer of common foam packing peanuts. Using this expanding foam dramatically reduces fuel consumption in the delivery process.
Virtually every major waste product from our manufacturing and shipping process is recycled, including 100% of our scrap steel, all incoming cartons and boxes, and our empty packaging foam drums. Additionally, most of our office consumables are recycled or reused.
All wood used in our products, or the packaging of our products, comes from wood suppliers which are certified by recognized forestry sustainability agencies, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of the American Forest & Paper Association.
We strongly encourage the use of ENERGY STAR qualified lamps in our luminaries whenever possible. For customers subject to more stringent efficiency standards (e.g. those in California), we offer GU-24 based luminaries which comply with California’s Title 24 building standards. Most of our fixtures can be ordered with this option.