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Press Room: Corporate News
Hamilton Beach Brands Launches Environmental
Sustainability Program
Small-kitchen appliance manufacturer sets example for industry
Richmond, Va., March 16, 2008 - Following a successful pilot program in which the company measurably reduced its impact on the environment through a more green-oriented product and packaging design - an initiative that has saved trees, water and energy - Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. today announced a sustainability program intended not only to improve the company's carbon footprint but set an environmental example for the small-kitchen appliance industry.
Reflecting its comprehensive commitment to Environmental Sustainability (ES) practices, Hamilton Beach is incorporating a broad range of green strategies into its supply chain, including a new "eco-design" process that aims to reduce energy use, employ less packaging materials and use more environmentally friendly materials that can be recycled.
Using the Restrictions of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) adopted by the European Union as a standard, Hamilton Beach is already producing six products made with 100 percent RoHS compliant materials, a number that will double by this summer.
"Our preliminary progress in the area of Environmental Sustainability has emboldened us to think more broadly and more creatively about how we can make a meaningful difference in Reducing our impact on the world around us," said Terry Myers, Director of Innovation, Product Development and Environmental Sustainability, Hamilton Beach Brands. "As we move toward implementing a comprehensive array of green strategies, we invite the industry as a whole to share our commitment to adopting eco-friendly practices. Working together, we can make profound strides toward improving the health and sustainability of the planet."
Hamilton Beach's preliminary efforts in "thinking green" already have begun to pay noteworthy dividends. As part of its initial pilot program, the company revised the design of its Proctor Silex® Plus 8 speed blender, altering its construction so that the jar nests over the motor and making it more compact in storage. The change saved approximately ½-inch in both the width and depth of the product's packaging, a considerable amount that, when extrapolated over annualized production , saves the equivalent of 628 trees and 6,182 gallons of oil. An estimated 153,000 pounds of CO2 also were avoided.*
About Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of small electric household appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, bars and hotels. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NACCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NC).
Information on innovative Hamilton Beach®, Proctor Silex®, TrueAir®, Hamilton Beach® eclectrics®, and Traditions by ProctorSilex® products can continue to be found online at www.hamiltonbeach.com, www.proctorsilex.com and www.commercial.hamiltonbeach.com.
* Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator. For more information visit www.papercalculator.org
