Cambridge Centre Honda

Honda Canada integrates direct-contact water heating system, cuts energy costs by 50%

By Arden Jobling-Hey, February 14, 2013 at 8:56 pm

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Every now and then, we like to get our hands on some case studies that illustrate the great strides companies have made in an effort to cut down on energy use and pave the way for fellow members of the industry. Recently, we discovered a few things that Honda Canada has done over the past few years in order to lessen their carbon footprint and cut down on energy-costs in the workplace. Here's what we uncovered, at a glance.

Energy-efficient through changing technology

When it comes to energy efficiency, identifying existing problems is the first, and often the hardest, step.

Honda Canada's manufacturing facility is located in Alliston, Ontario and is made up of two separate plants which produce almost 300,000 vehicles on an annual basis. During the production process, after welding is complete, the unit (unfinished car) passes through a series of sprays and dip tanks in order to remove grease and other contaminants prior to the application of primer, finish and sealer coats.

Using  a Kemco Thermefficient direct-contact water heater to replace an older boiler, Honda Canada was able to cut energy costs per car by nearly 50%, raising energy efficiency levels from 55-60% to more than 98% and reduce the company's water consumption by about one million gallons annually. The old boiler, equipped with an "On/Off" control, would produce an immediate high demand, which, according to Wayne Shipman of Honda's Advanced Technical Staff, caused the boiler to over-fire, wasting steam, energy and water.

Retrofitting the existing machine was an option (not a cheap one) but the team decided that investing in a new, more efficient machine would be most cost-effective in the long-term. The project, which included a large reduction in natural gas consumption also qualified for a $30,000 grant from the Enbridge Gas Distribution Energy Efficiency Program which made the transition to an energy-efficient alternative that much easier.

From waste reduction to LEED certification, Honda Canada is on a roll

If you hop on the Honda website, you will find that the company has done more to invest in lessening their carbon footprint than simply investing in one energy-efficient piece of equipment.

For example, as part of Honda's Green Factory Program, Honda's facility in Alliston became ISO14001 certified. The plant now recycles 99% of its production waste; the first Honda plant in North America to do so.

Another interesting "green" fact is that since 1972, the company has manufactured only four-stroke outboard motors, which, according to Honda, are 90% cleaner, 50% more fuel-efficient and 50% quieter than typical two-stroke outboard motors that may release oil into the water.

Last but not least is the Honda Campus in Markham, Ontario. The campus consists of three huge building; a four-storey, 138,000-square-foot head office building; a 71,000-square-foot technical centre for R&D, engineering and training; and a 224,000-square-foot parts distribution centre, all of which have been designed to meet LEED standards.

Questions or comments about Honda Canada? Leave them below!

Are you a small industrial business looking to before more energy-efficient? Check out our free interactive energy audit and find out where you can save on energy costs! Also, visit our Rebates & Incentives page for ways to save on energy-efficient equipment at your business!

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Honda builds its six-millionth vehicle at Alliston plant

 TORONTO, Nov. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Honda is celebrating the hard work and dedication of generations of Associates today, as the company announced it has built its six-millionth vehicle in Canada. This impressive feat took place during the company's 26th year of Canadian vehicle production in Alliston, Ontario, home to Honda of Canada Mfg.

Honda became the first Japanese automaker to manufacture cars in Canada in 1986 when the company opened the doors of its Alliston, Ontario plant. Since then, Honda of Canada Mfg. has manufactured several models including Honda Accord, Pilot and Ridgeline, as well as Acura EL and CSX vehicles. The plant currently builds CR-V, Canada's top selling import SUV, as well as the Acura MDX and ZDX models. Alliston also produces the Honda Civic, Canada's best selling passenger car for 14 consecutive years.

"Nearly 1.7 million Honda Civics have been proudly parked in driveways all over this country," said Dave Gardner, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Honda Canada Inc. "Our plant capacity was 50,000 vehicles when we started and we're now building 390,000 vehicles per year. This growth is the result of hard work and dedication of all the Associates who have worked with us over the years to produce the quality and reliability that Honda customers truly value."

Honda Canada gives back to the Alliston Community

To mark the six millionth Honda vehicle built in Canada, Honda Canada donated an all-new Honda Civic Sedan to Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston. The car will be used as the centrepiece of a fundraising initiative to support the hospital's much-needed operating room renovation.

"Stevenson Memorial Hospital is a very important part of the Alliston community and our milestone was made possible through the hard work of so many who live and work in this community," said Gardner. "On behalf of Honda Canada, I'd like to congratulate the efforts of Honda Associates and hope this donation helps to kick off a new era of care in this community."

"This donation will play an important role in achieving our fundraising goals for Stevenson Memorial Hospital" said Glenn Rae, Chair, Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation "We're proud to have Honda in our community and honoured to be recipients of a vehicle that was built by the very people that our hospital serves."

Quick Facts:

• Honda celebrated its 43rd anniversary in Canada in April 2012
• In November 2011, Honda of Canada Mfg. celebrated its 25th year of production in Canada
• Honda directly employs approximately 4,700 manufacturing and sales Associates coast-to-coast, and indirectly employs more than 19,000 Canadians through our national dealership networks
• Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) produces the Honda CR-V, Civic Coupe, Sedan and Si models, as well as the Acura MDX and ZDX
• HCM has a production capacity of approximately 390,000 vehicles annually
• In 2011, 51% of Honda Canada's vehicles sold were made at HCM in Alliston, Ontario. With the addition of CR-V production at HCM in 2012, more than 70% of Honda vehicles sold in Canada will be produced at HCM
• The Honda Civic achieved Canada's top-selling passenger car status in 2011 for the 14th consecutive year reporting annual sales of 55,090 units
• Honda's investment exceeds $2.6 billion in Canadian operations and 6 million units produced
• HCM sources approximately $1.1 billion in goods yearly from Canadian suppliers

About Honda Canada
Honda Canada has sold approximately 3.6 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada since 1973. Of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2011, more than 96% will be produced at the company's assembly plants in North America.

Image with caption: "Honda celebrates the sixth millionth vehicle produced at its assembly plant in Alliston, Ontario. To mark this milestone Honda donated an all-new Civic sedan to Stevenson Memorial Hospital to support ongoing fundraising initiatives. (Left to right: Gilles Madore, Vice President, Honda of Canada Mfg., Dave Gardner, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Honda Canada Inc., Annette Jones, President and CEO, Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Glenn Rae, President, SMH Foundation.) (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121127_C3881_PHOTO_EN_21295.jpg

SOURCE: Honda Canada Inc.