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Metaldyne Sintered Components
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- National Directory of EMS Technical Assistance Providers
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This program recognizes top environmental performers that have high quality EMSs. - FedCenter
The Metaldyne Sintered Components in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania was the first powder metal facility in that state to achieve ISO 14001.
Introduction
Planning and Implementation
Benefits
Lessons Learned
Conclusions
Introduction
Metaldyne is a leading global designer and supplier of low cost, high quality metal-based components, assemblies and modules for the automotive industry. The Metaldyne Sintered Components division of St. Mary's is a manufacturer of conventional powder metal components through the processes of molding (30-ton to 500-ton), sintering - conventional and high temperature pusher furnace, coining, steam treating, heat treating, resin impregnation, oil impregnation, machining (drilling, tapping, turning), plating, and assembly. The plant consists of 155,000 square feet situated on 20.14 acres and employs approximately 475 employees.1
Planning and Implementation
Metaldyne's commitment to environmental excellence led to the development of its "4-C Our Future" policy, which vows to conserve and protect the environment, comply with all regulations, communicate actions and continuously improve the EMS. The environmental and safety manager at Metaldyne, Bob Tami, aided in the development of Metaldyne's EMS through his role of chairman of DEP's Allegheny Mountain Pollution Prevention (P2) involving over 40 industry leaders in the region. The environmental goals set forth by Metaldyne include compliance with international, federal state and municipal laws and requirements; the design, manufacture and distribution of products in an environmentally sound manner; continually seeking opportunities to improve management systems in order to achieve environmental objectives and the prevention of pollution; and the communication of policy to employees and the public.2 In 2000, Metaldyne voluntarily adopted the international standard for environmental management systems and became the first powder metal facility in Pennsylvania to achieve ISO 14001 certification in November of 2000.3
Benefits
Many benefits have been realized by Metaldyne with the adoption of a working EMS. Waste management training for Metaldyne employees helped reduce per employee waste to three pounds per day, compared with the average 10 pounds per day in similar industries. In 2000, Metaldyne reduced its waste by 15 percent - or 45 tons - by recycling all of its scrap from manufacturing, as well as metal, cardboard, paper, glass, and spent oils. In addition to the environmental benefits, Metaldyne has strongly encouraged the participation of other local industries and communities in the EMS process in the hopes of promoting the value of environmental management systems. Metaldyne has represented its EMS achievements at a number of conferences including the Ohio River Valley Environmental and Safety Auditors roundtable and the Growing Smarter Conference in Hershey, PA.3
Lessons Learned
Metaldyne has learned the value of the EMS and continues to convey the importance of an environmental management system to its employees as well as its suppliers and customers. For instance, suppliers are required to remove all tools, supplies, and waste brought into a Metaldyne location, and to disclose in writing the environmental impact of the product and/or services.4
Conclusions
Metaldyne is committed to an environmental management system, in which processes and materials are continuously improved in order to reduce the environmental impacts that company processes incur. As Joanna Ryan, a Plant Manager at Metaldyne Sintered Components - St. Mary's said, "The ISO certification and our involvement in DEP's Pollution Prevention Roundtable has enabled us to become an environmental leader in our industry and our community. We will continue promoting environmental awareness in the powder metal industry and look forward to working with others in our community to do the same."5
NOTE: The preceding case study was compiled from the following sources as of May 30, 2003: