CITY Installs Solar-Powered Cooling System

Posted June 19, 2020 at 12:47 pm



With 850 solar panels installed across the CITY Laundering plant’s roof, CITY already is making a significant effort to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable, according to a news release.

“Part of our strategic plan is to always look at new sustainability practices,” said Colin Wetlaufer, CITY’s president. “Whether that’s getting a more efficient truck style or alternative energy and fuel sources, it always has to be top of mind.”

CITY is continuing its effort to be sustainable and provide a comfortable working environment for its employees by installing an air conditioning system to help the staff on hot days inside the plant. The energy for the air conditioning comes exclusively from the roof-mounted solar panels.

“Being able to make decisions like that, that actually relate to employee satisfaction and helping people, that’s the stuff that’s really cool,” Wetlaufer said. “When you feel good about putting a system in, it’s nice to see a lower electric bill every month, but that’s a result, not the reason why we do it.”

For Production Manager Melinda Fratzke, who has been with CITY for six years and frequently works on the production hang line, the addition of a spot-cooling system is important to keep employees at peak performance and make sure they can feel comfortable at work.

“I think we’re going to see a major increase in productivity,” Fratzke said. “It’s going to benefit bringing more employees in and improve morale. They’re not going to be down and out from the heat, they’re going to be perky and ready to go and get things done.”

Many of Fratzke’s colleagues on the hang line echo her feelings of being able to be more productive. Often employees can feel the effects of coming from a fully air-conditioned break room back into a warm plant environment. With the new air-conditioning system, Fratzke said they will be able to feel better, be more aware and healthier.

The hang line is an important part of CITY’s overall operation. If the hang line is not on time, anyone in the subsequent process is going to be behind. Because of the addition of a fully solar-powered air conditioning system for each employee working the hang line, CITY continues its commitment to being sustainable while assuring customers that CITY’s services remain top-notch, despite the summer heat.

“I think it’s going to make us more productive and we’re going to be able to help our customers even more,” said production employee Taylor Joblinske. “We will also be able to work a lot faster.”

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