Shining a Light on Sustainability: Bob’s Copy Shop

A Community Staple

Investing in Energy Efficiency

Bob’s Copy Shop is a Madison community staple, providing high-quality print products and services for more than a quarter century. This family-owned business serves a wide range of customers from students with small projects for campus events or class projects, to commercial clients, recently mass-producing notepads for a famous influencer whose product went viral. Whether the project is big or small, Bob’s Copy Shop is dedicated to quality work and customer service.

Bob's Copy Shop turned to FOCUS ON ENERGY® realizing their current location needed to be more energy efficient. The partnership with Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency/renewable energy program and Bob's utility, MG&E, was the best option for sustaining their business and ensuring their quality work was still available for the community.

Angled view of a gray metal commercial building with purple awnings, a blue car in the parking lot, and a large tree beside the lot under a cloudy sky.

Small shop interior with a front desk computer, a cart stacked with green boxes, two upholstered chairs, an exit door, and wall posters.

In 1999, Betty and Carl Pigott acquired a small, locally known copy shop in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Originally owned by Bob himself, the shop was a go-to destination for students and faculty. As the campus grew, Bob’s relocated nearby to make room for the now-iconic Union South.

By 2011, it became clear that the campus location could no longer support their thriving business. Bob’s moved operations to a larger production center where they’ve continued to grow their family-owned enterprise. Today, students can still access Bob’s Copy Shop services conveniently through the University Book Store. Now in the second generation of ownership, Betty and Carl’s son Mark and his wife, Amy, continue the legacy of Bob’s Copy Shop, upholding the family’s commitment to quality work and customer service as they look to serve the community for many years to come.

Bob’s current facility is an expansive workspace that focuses on commercial projects. In the initial assessment with Focus on Energy, the Pigotts had already made smart choices in areas like HVAC and water heating, however the outdated fluorescent lighting system was driving up energy costs. Proper lighting is crucial in the copy industry, as it ensures the quality of printed materials and accurate color rendering.

Focus on Energy connected Bob’s Copy Shop with Proficient Lighting, a trusted Trade Ally, who replaced the fluorescent lighting with energy-efficient LEDs. Projections estimate a 50% reduction in lighting costs, saving Bob’s Copy Shop over $1,300 annually. This lighting upgrade allows Bob’s Copy Shop to improve energy efficiency and the precision of their work, with lighting that helps render vibrant, true-to-life colors in printed materials.

The Pigott's recognize sustainability is as important as their long-standing commitment to customer service. With the support of Focus on Energy, they’re paving the way for a brighter, more efficient future in Madison, carrying on their family’s legacy for years to come.

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