A group’s social conscience

The protection and improvement of the quality of the environment form part of the value that Canam Group shares with its employees. The organization upholds this commitment by rigorously complying with all applicable regulatory controls and through the introduction of various innovation and continuous improvement programs. Canam Group’s concern for the environment took on new meaning in 2008 with the Company’s decision to make it the focus of one of three development goals targeting both manufacturing operations as well as the products we design, fabricate and market. Canam Group will therefore take a leadership role, not only in the construction of energy-efficient buildings, but also in reducing its own ecological footprint. Within the Company, this has translated into the introduction of various measures aimed at improving work processes in general and a particular emphasis on reducing energy use. Environmentally-friendly practices have also been integrated in the Company’s day-to-day activities through all sorts of initiatives, both big and small. These measures range from recycling paper, cardboard, batteries and other materials (tires, plastic, glass, carbon filters, used oil and pallets) to using paint and steel with a high recycled content.
		Manufacturing operations Expansion of the St. Gédéon de Beauce plant Among the actions taken in 2008, we wish to underline the two expansion projects at the St. Gédéon de Beauce plant that included the installation of several ventilated thermal panels (VTPs), which use solar energy to preheat fresh air before it enters the building’s heating systems. Fabricated by Murox, the VTP solar collector allows building owners to cut energy costs as well as reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.
		Construction of a surface preparation and paint spraying facility Canam Group also employed another Murox solution, its high performance building system, in the construction of a surface preparation and paint spraying facility adjacent to the Structal-Bridges plant in Quebec City. In addition to a high thermal efficiency envelope, the new building features other energy-efficient technologies, such as a geothermal system, radiant flooring and a lighting system that maximizes the use of natural light. This integrated approach will allow for a reduction of up to 40% in the amount of energy used for heating, cooling and lighting.
		Conversion to water-based paints The Manufacturing Division continued the replacement of the solvent-based paints used in the dipping process by water-based products. This conversion, which was initiated at the Jacksonville plant in 2007, is now underway at the Washington and Sunnyside plants. In Jacksonville, where the changeover is complete, volatile organic compound emissions have decreased by 42%. In Canada, tests are being conducted at the St. Gédéon de Beauce plant to identify the best finish.
		Decreased electricity use Canam Group plants in Quebec are continuing to overhaul their lighting systems in the scope of Hydro-Québec’s Empower Program for Industrial Systems. Once the work is executed at all four plants, the upgrades will allow for an overall savings of 4,000,000 kilowatt hours per year. The overhaul has since been completed at the Boucherville plant and work has begun at the St. Gédéon de Beauce facility, where the benefits of efficient lighting will be increased by the installation of a building management system in order to generate added savings. At the Quebec City plant, replacements will start during the course of 2009.
		Carpooling Many Canam Group employees are required to travel to different business locations in the scope of their work. They are therefore encouraged to carpool in order to scale expenses, which in turn reduces the number of vehicles on the road. To facilitate carpooling, employees can use a special page on the Company’s intranet site to post their itinerary or view existing ones. A carpooling bonus was also introduced in 2008 to further bolster this practice. A vanpooling service was also put in place by the Sunnyside management team in 2006 in order to provide transportation to employees living in the two most outlying communities. This service, which led to the purchase of two vans, was initially set up by management but the day-to-day administration was subsequently handed over to the 20 or so employees who use the vanpool.
		Collection of used batteries Canam Group, which encourages the collection of used batteries as a way of protecting the environment, reviewed its procedure for handling and managing used batteries, from AA-size and laptop to even larger batteries. Each of its offices and plants in North America now has (or is poised to have) a collection point where employees are asked to drop off used batteries generated in the course of their work.
		Canam Merit Awards The Canam Merit Awards program was created to recognize the continuous improvement initiatives of employees. Employees are invited to nominate their achievements in a number of areas, including environmental protection.
		Better Building Solutions Energy-efficient buildings Outside the Company, Canam Group’s consideration for the environment is substantiated by its objective to lead the North American high efficiency building sector. The organization will therefore continue to invest significant resources in this area. The Murox business unit already has a head start in offering profitable and environmentally-responsible business solutions: it is the first building designer-manufacturer in North America to offer an envelope system that integrates mechanical components which both save and produce energy. Murox further streamlines the overall process for clients by performing all the necessary energy and financial analyses in order to select efficient and economical components that are best suited to their project.
		LEED® certification Canam Group is a member of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), a non-profit organization created in 2002 to accelerate the design and construction of green buildings across Canada. This demonstrates our determination to support and promote the development of green buildings. With our knowledge of the LEED® standard, we are able to meet the expectations of customers who want high levels of recycled steel content in the products we sell them.