what ’ s working
Innovation HPF Manufacturing
For more than 30 years , HPF has been designing , developing and manufacturing heavy equipment attachments . The company ’ s skill and innovative mindset has recently attracted the attention of the Discovery Channel ’ s “ Gold Rush ,” where star and gold miner Tony Beets asked HPF to design and fabricate custom parts for dredges used in the Yukon . location : Snohomish the product : Its Rail-X Excavator is a hybrid Caterpillarstyle excavator modified with retractable rail wheels , allowing the excavators to be used on railroad lines by a single operator and without a locomotive . point of excellence : HPF ’ s entrepreneurial spirit , customer dedication and creativity in solving heavy-duty
problems mean the creation of products that can clear mudslides from remote railroad tracks or help Yukon gold miners haul out a treasure from the Alaskan wilds . how it ’ s done : HPF ’ s team of hydraulic technicians , electrical technicians , engineering staff , and machinists are able to envision and implement rugged solutions for real-world problems . in their words : “ We are the shop that is capable of large projects . We have the ability to do the jobs that no one else does . We make new products for the marketplace that are needed today in this world .”
~ Wendell Malmberg , president
Green Manufacturing Waste Connections of Washington
Since its founding in Vancouver 20 years ago , Waste Connections has become one of the largest recycling and solid waste companies in the state . Working with public-sector partners and the general public , Waste Connections goes beyond the typical garbage disposal company in its mission to collect , handle and transition waste into a second use . location : Founded in Vancouver , Wash ., Waste Connections now provides services throughout the region . the product : Waste Connections recycles , composts , converts waste to energy , and is a major reason that more than half of the waste collected in Washington state is recycled . The company is deploying its recycling expertise across North America , leading the way to further encourage materials reuse and waste minimization . point of excellence : From resale of collected plastics and other recyclable materials , conversion of organics into
compost , development of a renewable fuel fleet , to the capture and conversion of landfill gases into electricity , Waste Connections is a model for other companies in its industry and for the business community at large . how it ’ s done : After starting with a focus on traditional recyclable materials , Waste Connections continues to expand the scope of materials it recycles , and the green methods it uses for processing and transport . That includes enlarging its composting operations , capturing methane gas from landfills for use in creating electricity , and ongoing conversion of its fleet to run on clean alternative fuels . in their words : “ Environmental , organizational and financial sustainability initiatives have been key components of our success since we were founded in 1997 . We remain committed to growing and expanding these efforts as our industry and technology continue to evolve .”
~ Ronald J . Mittelstaedt , chairman and CEO
32 association of washington business