News & Events

Energy Star Partner of the Year, Second Year in a Row

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:21:02 GMT

VALLEY FORGE, PA, March 2, 2010 (Company News Release) - For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (http://www.epa.gov ) has named Saint-Gobain as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year (http://www.energystar.gov ) for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. No other manufacturer of glass containers or fiber glass insulation has ever received the Partner of the Year award. Through a wide range of energy-awareness programs, process improvements, and energy management practices in 2009, Saint-Gobain businesses in North America were able to reduce their energy intensity by 2.2 percent--equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make nearly 486 million glass bottles or enough fiber glass insulation for more than 100,000 typical U.S. homes. The company's energy-use reduction equated to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions released to the atmosphere of more than 70,000 tons last year. Saint-Gobain's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2010. "We're very proud of the contributions made by the employees throughout our organization which made this award possible," says Gilles Colas, General Delegate for Saint-Gobain in North America. "As the world leader in building materials, energy efficiency is central to our 'habitat' business strategy. This is demonstrated in our strong focus on sustainable development and environmental responsibility in the products we supply and in our manufacturing processes. The Partner of the Year Award underscores our commitment to limiting the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes and protecting the health of the communities where we live and work." "Saint-Gobain is leading the fight against climate change through greater energy efficiency," says Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "Saint-Gobain's robust energy management program is a model for others and affirms that energy efficiency is our most cost-effective climate strategy." The 2010 Partner of the Year Awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. About ENERGY STARENERGY STAR was introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov .

Norton’s 125th Anniversary Celebrated in 2010

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:29:40 GMT

Company News Release, WORCESTER, MA, January 15, 2010 – The 125th anniversary of the creation of Norton Company and the establishment of the company’s manufacturing operations in Worcester are being celebrated throughout this year, beginning next week with the placement of large, colorful banners through Saint-Gobain’s Greendale campus in Worcester. In 1885, seven Worcester entrepreneurs established Norton Emery Wheel Company to manufacture the world’s first grinding wheel. Originally made in a pottery shop, this grinding wheel was the first ceramic-bonded wheel to be precision-made and mass produced. It would eventually revolutionize the metalworking industry by replacing the metal cutting process with precision grinding. During the next century, the company changed it name to Norton Company and grew to become the world’s leading supplier of abrasives and high-performance materials. Saint-Gobain, itself a world leader, acquired the company in 1990 but retained the Norton brand name for many of its products sold throughout the world. Saint-Gobain’s headquarters offices for its worldwide abrasives business are still located in Worcester, exactly where Norton was founded 125 years ago. "This anniversary is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge our rich company history, and to show appreciation for what has come to be the world’s foremost abrasives brand," says Mark Rayfield, Vice President of Abrasives North America and Superabrasives Worldwide for Saint-Gobain. "For 125 years, Norton has been a vital part of the city of Worcester. While the company has evolved from a nineteenth century pottery shop to become a world leader in abrasives and high-performance materials, we have never forgotten where we came from, or the city that made it possible. This is also a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the many contributions associated with the Norton name in the abrasives, ceramics and plastics businesses throughout the world, and of course for thousands of employees associated with the company and brand over the past 125 years." A variety of activities to mark the anniversary are planned throughout the year, including a special employee celebration in June at the company’s Greendale campus.

Saint-Gobain Awarded Energy Star Partner of the Year

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:18:58 GMT

Saint-Gobain wins EPA’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award VALLEY FORGE, PA, March 4, 2009 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Saint-Gobain as a 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The company is a leading supplier of building materials (mainly) through its well known CertainTeed brand), as well as high-performance materials and glass containers. It was one of five new winners in the competition’s “energy management” category for industrial companies. No other manufacturer of glass containers or fiber glass insulation has ever received the Partner of the Year award.

Saint-Gobain Launches Web Site for Floor Sanding

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:17:57 GMT

WORCESTER, Mass., April 8, 2009 – Saint-Gobain Abrasives has officially rolled out a newly designed web site for the Floor Sanding Market.

Red Heat Abrasives Line Expands to Meet Demand!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:05:09 GMT

Product line expanded to meet demands from wood flooring professionals. Wood flooring professionals have been so impressed with the exclusive technology and unrivaled performance of Norton SG® Red Heat abrasives that the product line has been expanded to include paper edger discs and rolls, as well as screen discs.The same patented seeded gel (SG) ceramic abrasive grain has been used in the new products to provide an unmatched cut rate and product life. The edger discs outlast any other discs on the market by a ratio of at least 3 to 1, in most applications. The screen products use a polyester knit backing in combination with a razor sharp micro-fracturing grain that lasts up to 2,000 square feet per screen - more than five times that of traditional silicon carbide. Because these screens are so durable, they are an excellent choice for use on harder species of wood.