The Need
Palcon has been manufacturing and supplying wooden pallets, skids, and shipping crates to markets in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey for more than 40 years. Their wooden pallet manufacturing facility is located in Muncy, Pennsylvania. The site receives hard and soft wood, processes the pallets, and then sends them to prospective buyers. The site uses automatic saws and pallet nailers, in addition to pneumatic nail guns. Palcon wanted to reduce both their energy consumption and the carbon footprint of their production operation.
The PennTAP Connection
Two PennTAP technical advisors and one PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regional energy manager visited the facility to observe operations and to collect data regarding the facility’s energy use and potential opportunities for energy savings.
The Project
This project was supported and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. PennTAP performed substantial research, data review, energy calculations, and analysis, and found energy saving opportunities in the facility’s lighting and air compressor system. PennTAP also provided assistance with completing the company’s application for the 2015 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Small Business Advantage Grant (SBAG).
The Outcome
PennTAP determined that by replacing the current lighting system with newer, more efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and by repairing the leaks in compressed air lines, the electric energy savings are expected to be 39,921 kWh per year. To date, Palcon has successfully reduced its electric power consumption, resulting in a cost savings of $20,000 per year. They also received a $5,000 SBAG grant award to upgrade their lighting.
About the Company
Palcon LLC
1759 Lime Bluff Rd
Muncy PA 17756
800-838-2023
County: Lycoming
Employees: 18
Industry: Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing