By K. Susan Appleby, SEDCOR
The Next “Bottle Bill” of Agriculture
Commitment to the environment is evident in Agri-Plas’s determination to recycle agriculture plastic waste. It has been over five years, but the opening of their new facility in Brooks, is now complete. Equipment has been moved in from their California and Keizer plants and is in full production. The new facility more than doubles the under-roof operation to 40,000 sq. ft. They now employee 47 and expect to recycle about 25 million pounds of plastic waste this year.
Agri-Plas recycles agricultural products including bailing twine, trays, pots and film from nurseries. They also offer recycling to food processing companies for 5 and 55 gallon buckets, berry trays and crates. As a conservative estimate, there is a backlog of over 150 million pounds of material at over 2,000 nurseries in Oregon. At one nursery, over one million pounds of two and four ounce pots were recycled. Agri-Plas is now servicing Fred Meyer stores on a nursery pot return program and working with FarWest Fibers at their collection depots.
The market for selling their recycled materials is also expanding. With the new facility they are able to increase production to supply a steady source of recycled material to their customers. The recycled pellets are in high demand by Forture 500 manufacturers, as it decreases their production costs. Savings are realized with a 50% reduction in cost over virgin material. Recycled pellets are easier to process and transportation is less expensive. Production time is cut by over 25% due to the quality of the recycled pellets. They reach a melting point in 19 minutes compared to the typical three - four hours.
Agri-Plas consults with farmers, nurseries and food processors on recycling and options for picking up their plastic waste. Containers are provided to farmers for storing material to be recycled and then picked up at a minimal charge. This gives farmers an alternative to burning these materials in the fields, as the cost to store, transport and dump fees at landfills are very expensive.
Long term goals are to continue to develop processes for additional products. ODOT is developing impact studies for highway signs using recycled material. This can save up to 30% on replacement costs. Agri-Plas’ business model is being studied by the EPA, to create a footprint for development of more facilities of this type. CA, NV, UT, ID and WA are waiting for approval by the EPA to be able to begin building. It could be the next “Bottle Bill” for agriculture.
Dari Jongsma, says, “Working to get through all the challenges to open our new facilities was all worth it, knowing that the efforts will save our landfills, our air and water.” She is proud to be able to do all this and provide new jobs for the community. It’s a win-win situation for the farmers, nurseries, food processors and the manufacturers who use the recycled product.
503.390.2381 • 5015 Waconda Rd NE • Brooks, OR 97303
Spirit Mountain Casino
The Spirit Mountain Lodge, in Grande Ronde, recently more than doubled its capacity by adding 163 new rooms, including 12 elaborate suites. A recent Grand Opening was attended by over 200 invited guests - along with special guest Jay Leno.
The tastefully refurbished lobby and registration desk area also includes a convenient gift shop and a hot continental breakfast room. An impressive bronze sculpture and fountain that serves as the lobby’s centerpiece greets lodge guests. The sculpture of the fabled “Coyote Building Willamette Falls”, was designed by Rip Caswell and represents the heritage and pride of the Tribes of Grand Ronde.
At 254 rooms, Spirit Mountain Lodge has become a favorite of visitors to the region, with easy access to the spectacular Oregon Coast and rolling hills of the Willamette Valley wine country. “Historically, we’ve had to turn down upward of a thousand guests per month,” says Spirit Mountain Lodge Manager, Wayne Miller. “Now we can provide rooms for all those requests and more. We look forward to continuing to provide the supreme service, comfort and amenities expected by our current guests and to an increased customer base.”
888-668-7355 or visit www.spiritmtn.com
Universal Forest Products
Universal Forest Products, based in Grand Rapids, MI, began in 1955 as a single lumber wholesale office, specializing in sales to the manufactured housing industry. Today, the company is a $2.5 billion corporation, and is the largest producer of pressure-treated lumber in the world, the largest producer of roof trusses for manufactured housing in North America, and the nation’s largest residential truss manufacturer.
Universal recently consolidated its Bend and Woodburn, Oregon operations into a single 120,000-square-foot industrial facility in Woodburn. This plant was purchased from Willamette Industries. The Woodburn plant has been growing steadily since opening. The plant employs 100 people and manufactures trusses, fencing, crates, boxes, lumber and panels, to name a few.
Universal’s strength is a result, in large part, of its balanced business model. Universal serves four strong markets – do-it-yourself retail, site-built, manufactured housing and industrial, which allows for a balanced and continued growth. The other secret to Universal’s success is its workforce. Universal is known for its hard-working, driven people who are respected in their fields. The turnover among management is strikingly low, which speaks loudly to the company’s strong culture and its reputation as an employer of choice.
In 2005, Univeral experienced $2.45 billion in sales, including double-digit growth in three of its four markets. The company, its success and people are regularly lauded in publications nationwide. In 2005, Universal was #651 on the “Fortune 1000” list of America’s largest corporations, was included on Forbes magazine’s prestigious Platinum 400, and was chosen by Fortune Magazine as one of 50 small cap stocks to watch, among other things.
503-981-9509 or visit www.ufpi.com
Oregon Telecom
Oregon Telecom was founded in October, 2001 by three former executives of Shared Communications Services Inc. They recently held an Open House celebrating their new Corporate Headquarters in the Fairview Industrial Business Park. Oregon Telecom, is the only telecom company headquartered in Salem, with six offices located throughout Oregon.The company provides the business community in Oregon with a full complement of network services including local, long distance, Internet access and wide area connections. They utilize three of the largest, most technologically advanced networks in the country. In just a few years, the company has grown to over 75 employees in Oregon. Jeff Raines, CEO of Oregon Telecom remarks, “Salem companies who do business with us know that they are partnering with a local business whose jobs, taxes and revenues stay here. Locating our headquarters here shows our commitment to Salem.”
503-763-6704 or visit www.oregontelecom.com
Aggregate Machinery
Big equipment is what Aggregate Machinery builds, including the Thunderbird II line of equipment. They also supply other manufacturer’s equipment under OEM arrangements. A recent alliance with Terex, who produces VSI crushers & parts complements their marketing power.
They manufacture a complete line of aggregate crushing and screening plants, concrete and asphalt recycle plants, process screens, separators, washing equipment, conveying systems, feeders, stackers and load-out systems. Customers include state departments, counties, cities and leading commercial companies around the world.
New offices and a manufacturing building have been built in the last few years. A high-definition plasma cutter is being added to improve turn-around time on projects and allows Aggregate Machinery to add additional employees. This was previously subcontracted to a firm in Portland. Aggregate is associated with Valley Equipment and they also work with West Salem Machinery. They currently employ 30 people.
503-390-6284 or visit www.thunderbird2.com