Posts from — December 2008

Start! helps companies take steps to decrease healthcare expenses, increase productivity

Blairsville, PA; December 2008 — Clark Metal Products has been recognized by the American Heart Association and Start! as a Gold Start! Fit-Friendly Company! Clark Metal has attained the Gold Level Award by not only recognizing the importance of a healthy workplace for their employees but also by taking important steps to create a culture of physical activity in the workplace.

Clark Metal and their employees are being commended for their extraordinary efforts of promoting a wellness culture by providing support to employees and implementing physical, nutritional, and cultural changes. As a Start! Fit-Friendly Company, Clark Metal Products will receive recognition on the American Heart Association’s Start! Web site and local recognition by the American Heart Association at local events and in communications materials supporting the recognition program.

“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Clark Metal Products. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement as a Gold-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company,” said Rob Clark, Vice-President of Operations. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. This will benefit our employees’ health and produce even more positive results for our company overall.”

Clark Metal Products was recognized as a Gold Level Start! Fit Friendly Company by the American Heart Association Start! Movement for fulfilling the following parameters:

• Offer employees physical activity support.
• Increase healthy eating options at the worksite.
• Promote a wellness culture.
• Implement at least nine criteria as outlined by the AHA in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, and culture.

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees’ health and wellness a priority.

Clark Metal was also the Indiana County fundraising champ for the 2008 Heart Walk. Two Clark teams collectively raised over $14,000 for the American Heart Association.

INDIANA, PA, December 2, 2008 — Five double-hung replacement window models made by Gorell Windows & Doors have earned the prestigious Green Seal certification. Gorell is one of only two window companies that has had its products certified by Green Seal, an independent, nationally recognized non-profit green organization based in Washington, D.C. The certifications reflect the significantly high levels of performance and quality of these Gorell windows, as well as other Green Seal criteria pertaining to material extraction, manufacturing processes, usage and recycling/disposal.

The Green Seal certification process is comprehensive, and Gorell products were certified only after rigorous testing and evaluation, which included an on-site plant inspection. Criteria such as performance ratings (U-value, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, etc.), product packaging and labeling, and manufacturing and testing procedures all played a role in the Gorell products achieving Green Seal certification.

“For all our replacement double-hung models to be certified by Green Seal says a lot about Gorell and the products we manufacture,” said Wayne Gorell, Gorell’s President and CEO. “Practically every manufacturer claims to be ‘green,’ but this achievement, along with five straight years of ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year awards, prove we truly are committed to helping to protect the environment by manufacturing highly energy-efficient, green products.”

Green Seal’s evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information, using internationally recognized methods and procedures. The Seal identifies a product as environmentally preferable, provides third-party corroboration of environmental claims, and distinguishes a product from competitors that can’t support their environmental assertions. Hundreds of products and services from major companies like PPG, Trane, Office Depot and Benjamin Moore have been certified to meet Green Seal standards.

A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Green Seal was founded in 1989. The organization issued its first environmental standards in 1991-2, and the first product certifications were issued in 1992. Green Seal provides science-based environmental certification standards that are credible, transparent and essential in an increasingly educated and competitive marketplace. The organization’s industry knowledge and standards help manufacturers, purchasers and end users alike make responsible choices that positively impact business behavior and improve quality of life.

Gorell—2006, 2007 and 2008 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award winner and Partner of the Year from 2004 to 2008—manufactures windows for replacement and new-construction applications, patio doors and aluminum storm windows and doors. The company markets its products through a network of dealers and distributors. Acknowledged as the most innovative and fastest growing manufacturers of windows and doors in North America, Gorell is consistently recognized for its high product quality and excellent customer service.

The Indiana County Manufacturing Consortium meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month at the Indiana County Career Link, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM.