Firestone Insulation Facility
Receives Industry's First Environmental Certification
YOUNGWOOD, Penn. (March 24,
2005) – Firestone Building Products strives
to fulfill its environmental protection goals. On March
18, Firestone Building Products’ rigid foam insulation
facility in Youngwood, Penn., received a certification
of that commitment.
According to the registrar, Youngwood
is the first-ever polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation
plant in the U.S. to achieve the ISO 14001:2004 certification
of its environmental management system (EMS).
“We are proud that our facility
passed the rigorous standards held by our registrar,
British Standards Institute (BSI),” said Dave
Crouse, Youngwood plant manager, FSBP. “As the
first polyiso insulation facility to achieve certification,
we hope to serve as a model for those in our industry.
Our people achieved this certification by working together
as a team, constantly improving environmental work practices
on all levels.”
Firestone Building Products (FSBP)
has set a goal to certify all its manufacturing facilities’
EMS by the end of 2006. FSBP, an operating unit of BFS
Diversified Products, LLC (BFDP), has 10 insulation
facilities and three sheet roofing plants, including
two manufacturing EPDM and one TPO. In 1999, its two
EPDM plants, located in Prescott, Ark., and Kingstree,
S.C., were certified.
By certifying its facilities’
EMS, the company demonstrates its proactive environmental
protection program. Its EMS provide a framework for
managing environmental responsibilities so that they
become more efficient and integrated into overall business
operations.
“This certification recognizes
and approves the facility’s formalized EMS procedures,
which cover all significant environmental aspects of
the facility, as well as setting objectives and targets
for future improvement. BSI conducted two stages of
review to complete the certification,” said Arvis
McKamie, BFDP environmental director.
Compliance with ISO 14001:2004, an
international standard, helps facilities to identify
potential problems before they happen and demonstrate
environmental responsibility to all stakeholders. It
consists of general requirements, environmental policy,
planning, implementation and operation, checking and
corrective action and management review. In addition,
ISO 14001 can help to reduce facilities’ costs
and improve their overall performance.
BSI is a leading business services
provider to organizations worldwide. The company provides
independent certification of management systems and
products, commodity inspection services, product testing
services, the development of private, national and international
standards, management systems training, and information
on standards and international trade.
With 13 manufacturing facilities throughout
North America and its headquarters in Carmel, Ind.,
Firestone Building Products (FSBP) manufactures single-ply
and asphalt-based roofing membranes, polyiso insulation
and a full line of roofing accessories. In addition
to superior roofing products, FSBP offers installation
expertise and product support through a contractor services
department and a worldwide network of roofing contractors,
distributors and field sales representatives. The Specialty
Products division of FSBP manufactures PondGuard EPDM
Rubber Liners, a rubber product used as a water containment
membrane for applications such as backyard ponds, golf
course water features, manure storage and canal liners.
BFS Diversified Products, LLC (BFDP),
based in Carmel, Ind., is a subsidiary of Bridgestone
Americas Holding, Inc. BFDP is responsible for BSAH’s
non-tire businesses including building and industrial
products, synthetic and natural rubber, and fiber and
textile businesses.
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