WEST ALLIS – Focus on Energy’s Strategic Energy Management program has helped Quad/Graphics achieve major energy and cost savings.

It is estimated Quad/Graphics will achieve more than $100,000 in annual energy savings at its 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Allis that operates 24/7 and employs more than 800 people.

Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin businesses and residents to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program provides technical, management and financial support to companies looking to improve energy performance and lower costs.

A team of Quad/Graphics employees worked with Focus on Energy during 2016-17 to implement a continuous improvement program for energy management. Program projects included:

• Installing energy-usage meters on individual pieces of production equipment to enhance data collection and analysis capabilities;
• Upgrading facility lighting and compressed air systems to improve energy efficiencies;
• Reinvigorating the facility’s Energy Management Team, whereby team members identify energy-saving opportunities, drive action and increase awareness.

Quad/Graphics’ participation has yielded significant results, including improving electric efficiency by 2.8 percent and natural gas efficiency by nearly 4.4 percent over its baseline period, which ran from January to December of 2016. As a result, the company’s West Allis plant has saved 1.1 million kilowatt hours of electricity and 50,000 therms of natural gas – enough energy savings to power 116 Wisconsin homes every year.

“Quad/Graphics has always focused on being a good environmental steward, and that extends to energy management,” said Ken Berg, Quad/Graphics Corporate Facilities Engineering Manager. “Participation in this program is consistent with our company’s ongoing efforts to integrate energy considerations into organizational decision-making and operational activities and supports our goal of remaining the industry’s high-quality, low-cost producer. Due to its success, we will look to replicate many aspects of the program at our other plants.”

“It really was a group effort with the West Allis plant energy team, maintenance groups and corporate engineering working to identify and implement improvements,” said Jamie Steckl, Quad/Graphics Plant Production Support Manager. “All the efforts have proved valuable and reduced our impact on the environment.”

“The SEM program is a win for the companies that participate and a win the environment in which we all share,” said Richard Feustel, Focus on Energy’s advisor to Quad/Graphics. “The information, resources and financial incentives help companies implement projects that otherwise would not get completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. This makes Wisconsin employers more efficient and competitive in the global marketplace.”

The Quad/Graphics facility in West Allis is one of 30 Wisconsin companies participating in Focus on Energy’s SEM Program. Quad/Graphics, which received $100,000 in financial incentives for participating, is serviced by We Energies. We Energies is one of more than 100 Wisconsin electric and natural gas utilities that partners with Focus on Energy.

For more information on Focus on Energy’s business offerings, visit www.focusonenergy.com/business or call 800.762.7077.

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Individuals who played a key role in completing the Strategic Energy Management program at Quad/Graphics’ West Allis facility. Front row (left to right): Mike Fegley, Quad/Graphics Director of Facilities Engineering; Richard Feustel, Focus on Energy Senior Energy Advisor; Al Rocha, Quad/Graphics Maintenance Lead; Rick Frank, Quad/Graphics Plant Director and Director of Operations for Special Interest Publications; Ken Berg, Quad/Graphics Corporate Facilities Engineering Manager; and Jennifer Szedziewski, We Energies Senior Account Manager. Back row (left to right): Ted Tracy, Quad/Graphics Engineer; Jamie Steckl, Quad/Graphics Plant Production Support Manager; Jeff Imes, Quad/Graphics Boiler Room Operator; Bob Beck, Quad/Graphics Building Services Manager; Ian Reinders, Quad/Graphics Lead Facility Engineering; and Scott Kaufmann, Quad/Graphics Engineering Manager.

About Quad Graphics

Quad/Graphics (NYSE: QUAD) is a global marketing services provider that helps brand owners market their products, services and content more efficiently and effectively. To do this, the Company leverages its strong print foundation in combination with its deep expertise in workflow re-engineering and optimization, content management and data-driven marketing, including personalization, across all media channels. With a consultative approach, worldwide capabilities, leading-edge technology and single-source simplicity, Quad has the resources and knowledge to help a wide variety of clients in multiple vertical industries, including retail, publishing and healthcare. Quad/Graphics provides a diverse range of digital and print and related products, services and solutions from multiple locations throughout North America, South America and Europe, and strategic partnerships in Asia and other parts of the world. For more information, visit www.QG.com.

About Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.