April 20, 2007
Department of Enviromental Quality
Pat Watson

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that CWC Textron has been designated as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen (C3) in a voluntary program recognizing environmental stewardship. The facility, which manufactures automotive parts for major automotive manufacturers, becomes the 146th site in Michigan to earn this distinction.

"I am pleased to welcome CWC Textron to our growing partnership of Clean Corporate Citizens," said Director Chester. "I look forward to working with them to ensure we are protecting our environment while we grow our economy."

CWC Textron actively promotes the beneficial reuse of spent foundry sand through a number of avenues, recycles several tons of melting slag waste for use as an aggregate in the production of asphalt, and re-melts thousands of tons of local steel scrap to cast gray and ductile iron camshafts, dampener rings, and gear blanks. CWC Textron has been 3rd party certified to the international environmental standard, ISO 14001, since 2000.

"The employees at CWC Textron are extremely proud to be recognized as the first gray and ductile iron foundry in the state of Michigan to earn Clean Corporate Citizen's designation," said Jim Heethuis, CWC Textron Vice President General Manager. "Achieving C3 designation is a direct result of the personal commitment of our employees and the role and responsibility they play in managing our resources and protecting the environment. Textron, the parent Company for CWC, has stated and demonstrated its commitment to being an environmentally responsible company. In addition, our business and the foundry industry understand our responsibility as Environmental Stewards and value the positive role that our recycling activities play in being the best Corporate Citizen possible."

CWC Textron is a major employer in the Muskegon area. They have a 287,000 square foot manufacturing and support facility, technical center, and metallurgical laboratory within the city limits of Roosevelt Park, and employ 230 hourly and 70 salary employees.

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system and active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. Clean Corporate Citizens are eligible for certain regulatory benefits under the state's environmental programs, including expedited permit approval. The program is open to any Michigan public or private business, educational institution, medical facility, or governmental agency. This designation will be valid for three years, with a certification of compliance and report on pollution prevention goals required annually.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised April 20, 2007 by Pat Watson