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Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

Earlier this year, Tournesol proudly presented its inaugural 3P (Planet, People, Prosperity) Sustainability Award to two employees, Ian Fisher, Director of Manufacturing Technology, and Kerry Townson, Plant Manager at our Port Orchard facility. Their significant achievement was an enterprising overhaul of our steel blasting process, and their collaboration demonstrated how thoughtful innovation and teamwork can simultaneously advance environmental stewardship.

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners
Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners
The Challenge

Rethinking Conventional Practices

Steel sandblasting represents a critical phase in our manufacturing
process—ensuring powder-coating adheres well to steel surfaces creates
durable products. Yet our traditional garnet sand used to blast the
steel surface posed significant challenges:

  • Compromised visibility as fine dust filled the blasting environment
  • Productivity losses from hourly shutdowns required for cleaning
  • Workspace contamination as dust migrated beyond containment areas
  • Maintenance burdens from frequently clogged filtration systems
  • Environmental concerns including hazardous waste testing requirements
  • Financial drain from ongoing disposal and transportation costs
The Solution

Innovative Engineering Meets Sustainability

  • Clear visibility for operators, enhancing precision and safety
  • Significantly extended filter life, reducing maintenance downtime
  • Clean factory environment, supporting overall workplace health
  • 4-5× longer sanding medium lifespan, maximizing resource efficiency
  • Accelerated processing times, driving production capacity
  • Zero landfill impact, with 100% recyclable materials now generating revenue

Engineering Excellence: The Reclamation Floor Conversion

The transformation didn't stop there. The team reimagined the
physical infrastructure with an advanced reclamation floor featuring an
automated sweeping system:

  • Continuous operation replaces hourly interruptions
  • Automated material recirculation eliminates manual handling
  • Minimal end-of-day cleanup versus hourly maintenance requirements
  • Seamless workflow throughout production cycles

The Impact

Where Values Meet Value Creation

This initiative embodies our holistic 3P approach to sustainability:

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

Planet

Eliminated landfill waste through 100% recyclable materials

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

People

Transformed working conditions with cleaner air and reduced physical demands

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

Prosperity

Enhanced productivity while converting disposal costs into revenue opportunities

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

Planet

Eliminated landfill waste through 100% recyclable materials

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

People

Transformed working conditions with cleaner air and reduced physical demands

Leading the Way: Tournesol’s First Sustainability Award Winners

Prosperity

Enhanced productivity while converting disposal costs into revenue opportunities

"The transformation in our working environment has been meaningful. The new system has eliminated manual shoveling tasks while significantly enhancing cleanliness, fundamentally improving the daily experience for our operators."
- Wade Ward, Production Manager

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ian Fisher and Kerry Townson for demonstrating how an innovative approach and teamwork can create perfect alignment between environmental responsibility, employee wellbeing, and business excellence.

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