Located in downtown Scranton, Kevin’s Wholesale is a family-owned print screening and embroidery business that doubles as a clothing wholesaler and retail dealer. Kevin’s has served the northeastern Pennsylvania business community for over 30 years.

In May 2005, owner Larry Tinkelman contacted the Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) seeking to lower his energy bills. EMAP consultant Jeremy Hancher performed a free energy efficiency assessment at the facility and provided a follow-up report providing suggestions to improve daily operations and help cut energy costs. These included the replacement of over 100 light fixtures and a furnace upgrade.

The company began with lighting system improvements, replacing inefficient T-12 fluorescent bulb and magnetic ballast fixtures with energy efficient T-8 bulbs powered by electronic ballasts. In addition, Mr. Tinkelman installed occupancy sensors to eliminate lighting energy usage in unoccupied areas. To help offset project costs, Kevin’s Wholesale applied for and received a Small Business Advantage Grant. This grant program is offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and provides a 50 percent match, up to $7,500, to fund energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects.

The warehouse at Kevin's Wholesale prior to lighting upgrades that reduced electricity costs.

Eight months after completing the lighting upgrade, Kevin’s Wholesale had already reduced its electricity consumption by 21,684 kwh—saving $1,728 on utility bills—despite significant growth during the same period. Encouraged by the success of the lighting project, Mr. Tinkelman decided to pursue a furnace replacement as well. He was able to secure a second DEP Advantage Grant of $7,500. When complete, the furnace upgrade is projected to yield annual savings of $1,885 in natural gas costs. Combined, the energy efficiency upgrades will save Kevin’s Wholesale approximately 15 percent of energy consumption. The projects also will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a key contributor to global warming, by 850 tons annually.

Mr. Tinkelman’s willingness and desire to achieve energy efficiency helped decrease his company’s environmental footprint while increasing its bottom line, once again proving that sound environmental decisions make good economic and business sense.

Kevin’s Wholesale was recently featured in Business Week’s Small Biz Magazine.

Click here for more EMAP Success Stories