ORWIGSBURG, Pa. — August 9, 2011— FesslerUSA, an Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania company that provides
design services and manufactures knit fabric, apparel, and consumer products, today celebrated the
completion of a 450 kW photovoltaic solar power generation system, mounted on the roof of its Deer
Lake vertical manufacturing facility.
The system consists of over 1,600 solar panels covering about half of the facility’s roof. It
will generate about 450,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power
35 homes per year, and will provide over half of the facility’s current energy usage. According to
Ira Walton, Solar Project Manager, “In the short time we have been operational, FesslerUSA has
already prevented almost 21 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to over 525 trees or saving over 2,400
gallons of gas”.
Bonnie Meck, FesslerUSA’s Chief Operating and Sustainability Officer said, “We are so excited
about the completion of this project — it is a major step forward for Made in USA sustainable
manufacturing.”
FesslerUSA is one of the larger manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania to run the majority
of its operations on solar power, significantly reducing the Company’s energy costs, increasing the
Company’s competitiveness in today’s global economy, and dramatically reducing its carbon
footprint.
Dignitaries in attendance today included State Senator Dave Argall, Schuylkill County
Commissioners Mantura Gallagher and Frank Staudemeier, Congressman Tim Holden, State
Representatives Jerry Knowles and Mike Tobash, among many others.
“A number of Southern Schuylkill businesses supported our celebration today — representing
almost 400 Schuylkill County jobs,” added Walter Meck, FesslerUSA’s CEO. “We appreciate their
friendship and support, as we all share a common goal of keeping small businesses thriving in our
communities.” Food and refreshments for the ribbon-cutting celebration were provided by the Brick
House Grill, Guers Dairy, Healthy Habits Market, Madeline’s Restaurant, The Oak Hill Inn and Philly
Pretzel.
FesslerUSA is a leading producer of exclusively American made quality knit fabrics, apparel,
and consumer products. Continuously operating and employing Pennsylvanians for over 111 years, its
products are made in Pennsylvania and shipped globally. More information on FesslerUSA can be found
at
www.FesslerUSA.com.
Posted on August 16, 2011
Source: FesslerUSA
