Evinrude Attains Wisconsin Green Masters Level Status for Second Year

STURTEVANT, Wis., Dec. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For the second year, Evinrude has received recognition as a Green Master, the highest sustainable business rating from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council's Green Masters Program. Recognizing sustainable actions by businesses from across the state of Wisconsin, the Green Masters Program works to identify businesses that have taken at least one action within each of the nine pillars of 'sustainability.' Participants in the program (almost 200 in calendar year 2017) receive recognition for their sustainability accomplishments and develop ideas for future sustainability actions.

Following its 2017 induction into the program, Evinrude continued to make sustainability a top priority, implementing several key changes to their business practices and continuing community outreach efforts that support the environment. Evinrude installed a new factory make-up air handling system and end-of-line quality system. The make-up air handling system helps improve the operator environment within the manufacturing facility and the end-of-line system helps to reduce process emissions and fuel consumption by more than 50 percent.

"Evinrude invented the first commercially viable outboard engine and we are continuously improving marine technology to give our customers an uncompromised boating experience," said Tracy Crocker, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Evinrude. "For 110 years, Evinrude has been at the cutting edge of innovation, leading the industry in ease of use and fuel efficiency but we know creating sustainable products is not the only action Evinrude can take to protect our environment, so we continue to adopt sustainable business practices for our workplace and take steps to ensure that our manufacturing process has a limited impact on our community."

The Green Masters Program is an objective, points-based recognition and assessment program that enables Wisconsin businesses of all sizes and from any sector to join a group of like-minded companies that are on the road to sustainability. The program has established three levels of participation: Green Apprentice, Green Professional, and Green Master. Evinrude was recognized today at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Conference.

"Evinrude continues to demonstrate how a large company can develop a successful sustainability strategy that helps not only the company, but surrounding communities," Tom Eggert, Executive Director of Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, said. "In today's economy, meaningful and impactful sustainability efforts are paramount to staying competitive. It is an honor to recognize outstanding companies like Evinrude for their efforts to make Wisconsin greener."

Only 20 percent of companies that applied during the calendar year are identified and recognized at the Green Masters level for the year.

"We see tremendous value in investing in sustainable business practices. Even if they cost us more at the onset, they are essential to ensuring we limit our environmental impact," said Jeff Wasil, Emissions Compliance Engineer at Evinrude. "Last heating season, Evinrude implemented an energy recovery system, which allowed us to heat our test buildings without the use of natural gas through a closed-loop water system we installed to help reduce water waste. Although this system is costlier, it is without a doubt the right thing to do for the environment."

This is Evinrude's second year being recognized as a Green Master by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. Evinrude's commitment to sustainability remains at the core of its business practices. In recent years, Evinrude has invested heavily in technologies that help eliminate waste, save water, and reduce the amount of energy used while maintaining comfortability and operability in the manufacturing and testing facilities.

Beyond sustainable business practices, Evinrude has been involved in community environmental efforts, including coordinating employee volunteers for local river cleanups and supporting graduate research at the University of Wisconsin ? Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences.

About Evinrude:
Evinrude, part of the BRP Marine Group, is a global manufacturer of outboard marine engines. A model of innovation, Evinrude developed the first commercially viable outboard engine in 1909. Celebrating 110 years of innovation in 2019, Evinrude's engine line up, from 3.5 to 300 HP, offers customers superior value across a full range of applications while meeting all global emissions standards. Engines are available at authorized Evinrude dealerships worldwide. For more information visit?http://www.evinrude.com.

About the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council:
The WI Sustainable Business Council is a network of Wisconsin businesses that are leaders in integrating principles of sustainability into business operations. The business case for sustainability (defined in terms of people, planet and profit) has never been stronger. Wisconsin businesses are playing a leadership role in not only ensuring the protection and preservation of our natural resources but in creating a vibrant and growing economy. The Council provides best-in-class sustainability resources and brings businesses together to share knowledge, experiences and tools. Find us on the web at http://www.wisconsinsustainability.com

SOURCE Evinrude