News & Notes
Clarksville Foundry Receives Green Certification
By Elizabeth Black
The Leaf-Chronicle
The latest business to become Clarksville- Montgomery County Green Certified is also the community’s oldest continuous industrial company. The Clarksville Foundry celebrated the completion of its CMC Green Certification Program requirements Monday with their Green Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Clarksville Foundry was founded in 1847 and has been in the Foust family since 1912. So, not only are they celebrating their Green Certification, but they are also celebrating their 100th anniversary of Foust ownership.
"We’ve always produced very little waste at in our manufacturing process, but chose to be a part of the Green Certification Program to look for additional opportunities for improvement. In today’s market you have to look for ways to stay competitive, look f or niches and do more with less. This program was one way we sought to stand out,” said President and Owner Charlie Foust.
When asked about specific changes Foust referred to Lee Castillo, who serves over environmental health and safety. “Although we have almost no waste in our processes, we found quite a few opportunities for recycling and reduction in our administrative practices. In addition, we purchased replacement equipment that reduced the amount of energy used in making our castings and continue to find uses for our “spent sand” that can no longer be used in our processes, but can be used in building and road projects,” stated Castillo.
“The Clarksville Foundry is not only a large part of our history, but is proactively taking steps to help us have a greener future. It is wonderful to see one of Montgomery County’s longest standing businesses take the initiative to refine processes and incorporate new practices to become a greener facility,” states Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers.
“We appreciate the rich and interesting history Clarksville Foundry brings to our community. Charlie’s support to Clarksville-Montgomery County is unwavering and we appreciate his continued leadership in all aspects of the community, including strong sustainability practices,” said Kim McMillan.
Components cast by Clarksville Foundry can be found in downtown Nashville in the benches outside the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, stair panels inside Ryman Auditorium and decorative rail caps for the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge. The Foundry’s architectural castings can be found as far away as a recently-restored historic mill in upstate New York. Foust says he’s had friends tell him they’ve seen the Clarksville Foundry name on the manhole covers at their feet while traveling in New Orleans and even France.
The foundry recently donated a Cannon which sits at the Fort Defiance Interpretive Center, marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Anyone interested in using sand in their building projects can contact Lee Castillo at lcastillo@clarksvillefoundry.com or call 647-1538. The sand can be used for many purposes which will keep it out of the landfill.
For information on how your business can participate in the Green Certification Program, contact Michelle Newell at manewell@mcgtn.net
1140 Red River Street Clarksville, TN 37040 931-647-1538
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