Koppers Galesburg Plant Achieves Environmental Certification
Company plans to expand ISO 14001 certification to all locations in 2004
PITTSBURGH, January 9, 2004 – The Koppers plant in Galesburg,
Ill., has achieved ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental
Management System (EMS).
“
Koppers is committed to a sustainable environment, which is recognized
by this certification, ” said Ted Woerle, Galesburg plant
manager. “The
ISO 14001 standard provides a structure to guide our efforts in
continuously improving our environmental protection practices.”
The
plant has been part of Koppers Railroad Products and Service division
since 1988. Each year, 55 employees manufacture pressure-treated
wood for railroad crossties, switch ties and specialty products
and related services.
“
This certification tells the world that Koppers is committed to
systematic and sustainable improvement in our environmental programs,” said
Randall D. Collins, Vice President of Safety, Health and Environmental
Affairs. “While we will continue our close attention to
meeting all environmental regulations, the standard provides
a methodology
to seek out potential problems and fix them.”
The international
standard allows Koppers to implement cost-effective procedures
that are applicable worldwide. Koppers is working
to gain certification for all worldwide locations in 2004. ISO
14001
-- established
by the International Organization for Standardization -- is the
world’s
most recognized EMS framework, used by more than 37,000 organizations
in 112 countries.
Meeting the standard also provides economic
benefits, as certified companies use less energy and fewer
natural resources, generate
less waste, reduce disposal costs, recycle raw materials and
improve process
efficiency.
About Koppers
Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of
carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint
ventures, Koppers operates 39 facilities in the United States,
United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, the Pacific Rim and South
Africa.
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