Sustainability in Motion

Motors and Drives are Key to Energy Conservation

Subscribe to our Power & Industrial Automation Newsletter

Join our community to receive the latest insights, trends and innovations about power conversion and industrial automation market directly to your inbox.

> Subscribe

Introduction

Sustainability is good business practice. Companies that have developed solid sustainability strategies, long-term vision and ambitious targets fare better than those that have not prioritized this value. As compared to like organizations without such initiatives, sustainably-driven companies generally have higher employee retention rates, build strong brand loyalty through alignment with consumer consciousness and, as a result, yield better stock returns.

Practically, sustainability should be applied at every level of the organization – from sourcing to product development and manufacture to employee protocols and customer outcomes, as the benefits of good corporate citizenship go far beyond just ‘doing the right thing’.  

While there are numerous examples across the business spectrum detailing the payback, some of the most tangible results from intentional sustainability efforts center on the advantages of increased efficiency in production environments.  In the industrial setting, efficiency and cost savings driven by improvements in system performance are inherently sustainable, delivering a solid return on investment (ROI).  

In continuous operations, such as alternative energy wind and solar farms or data centers, the return is quick since systems are perpetually on. So, even a few percent efficiency gain provides a much faster payback than, say, on an automated production line that may run a single shift.   

In either case, elevating the efficiency equation has become a competitive necessity, a bottom-line booster and an energy conservation element of sustainable operations.  

About The Author

Justin Kolbe currently serves as Henkel’s Director of Market Strategy for Power and Industrial Automation within the company’s Adhesive Technology business unit, where he is focused on setting broad strategic   guidance and market insights.  In 1996, Kolbe joined The Bergquist Company (acquired by Henkel in 2014) as a Process Engineer and has since worked in various capacities including process development, applications engineering, R&D and marketing.  A chemical engineer by training, he has extensive experience in thermal management solutions and electronic materials development and processing.  With an impressive professional track record and a long history of providing reliable solutions for customers in multiple markets including power conversion, automotive, industrial automation and power electronics, Kolbe is passionate about ensuring Henkel materials not only deliver on performance, but also on cost and sustainability objectives.  Based in Henkel’s Chanhassen, MN facility, Kolbe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.  



Contact Us

Please fill out the form below and we'll respond shortly.

There are some errors, please correct them below
What would you like to request?
This field is required
This field is required
This field is required
This field is required
This field is required
This field is invalid