Fuel and Energy Conservation

Fuel conservation is addressed in transportation of raw materials and finished products, as well as facility operations.

Energy and fuel conservation is also an integral part of the facility engineering staff responsibilities. Each proposed capital investment must consider energy and fuel costs are part of the overall evaluation. Several KI facilities participate in a state program called "Focus on Energy," which formalizes energy conservation goals, measurements, and approaches.

Several facilities utilize energy-efficient lighting systems for offices and manufacturing areas and have installed automatic shut-off systems to further conserve energy.

Packaging

To reduce the use of packaging materials, KI has found alternative methods to safely ship and receive products to and from suppliers, end-users, and other manufacturing locations. Utilization of reusable plastic totes, shrink-wrapping, blanket-wrapping, and racking of products has helped alleviate the amount of "box" materials used in the shipping process.

To reduce waste sent to landfills, KI reuses materials such as wood pallets wherever possible and has partnered with suppliers to create new product transfer methods such as injection molded plastic skids (made from recycled plastic!) which can be reused over and over again. KI has also experimented with several adhesive products, which eliminate gases created in the packaging process.

Transportation with KI's Private Fleet

KI's trucking fleet utilizes and maintains high efficiency equipment. The purchase of fuel-efficient tractor and trailers and the smallest diesel engines available results in monetary savings, reduction of fuel usage, and decreased exhaust output. KI's fleet averages an amazing 7.5 to 8 miles per gallon. KI drivers receive a fuel bonus when they drive the vehicle in a manner that conserves fuel by increasing mileage.

Maximizing Space

KI maximizes its resources to minimize waste and pollution. Why send two trucks to do the job of one? KI traffic schedulers and dock personnel work in cooperation with shipping companies to utilize the maximum amount of truck space available. By reducing the number of trucks on the road, KI saves on fuel usage as well as equipment wear and tear. Methods utilized to increase space capacity include order and destination consolidation as well as palletizing, shrinkwrapping and blanket-wrapping product to eliminate space-consuming packaging.

Direct Shipment

Because the company's main method of shipping is direct to the customer, KI eliminates the middleman in the shipping of products to the destination. This alleviates the need for a number of different trucks hauling the same merchandise.