Bartlett-Area Companies Promote Energy-Efficient Technologies
Communities across the country are finding ways to go green, and several Bartlett area companies are doing the same.
“Bartlett is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and we’ve seen a lot of successful companies start up here in people’s garages,” says Clay Banks, director of economic development for the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce. “A lot of those entrepreneurs are seeing green technology as the wave of the future, and many are coming to us for help getting started. We’re seeing all aspects of green technology covered.”
Kele Inc. is a leading international supplier of HVAC temperature controls and interface products for building automation and energy management systems, and it employs more than 200 people at its two Bartlett locations. The company represents 250 different product manufacturers in its 1,000-page catalog, and all the products are designed to make buildings more energy efficient.
“Our whole business is about energy efficiency, saving money and being green,” says Jim Wadlington, vice president of marketing at Kele Inc. “We distribute the parts installers need for high-rise buildings, universities and the like to help automate those buildings by computers. For instance, if you want the lights to go on at 8 a.m., nobody has to go around and turn them all on. The computer does it for you.”
Kele celebrated its 25th year in business in 2008.
“The nature of the building automation industry is to help building owners save resources by having a ‘smart’ building,” Wadlington says. “Using an automated system to monitor and schedule all facets of the building not only saves dollars, but also resources used.”
Evaporcool is another Bartlett company that’s helping businesses reduce their energy and maintenance costs. The company employs 20 people and uses patented technologies to extend the life of commercial HVAC systems and minimize their impact on the environment.
“We have wonderful letters from our customers about how our product is saving them money and energy,” says Stanley Elster, a salesman for Evaporcool. “This is the best business I’ve ever been in because it does something good for the world. Energy costs will continue to climb, but we’re here to help curtail those costs.”
Ecos Innovation is also making headlines with its energy-efficient L.E.D. streetlight. Bartlett entrepreneur Carlos Ecos of Peru has ties to the Mexico City-based company and is looking to establish its presence in the Millington area. Ecos hopes to be manufacturing the streetlight in Shelby County by 2010, eventually creating 2,000 new jobs.
The light is already being sold and used on the streets of Mexico and Spain, and Ecos hopes to receive funding from the nearly $2 billion Tennessee is projected to receive for green projects from the federal stimulus package.
“The solar-powered lights cost less to operate and protect the environment by burning less fuel,” Ecos explains. “Another benefit is when we have hurricanes and storms in the gulf, as long as there’s a pole standing, there will be light. Our goal is to be participants in Tennessee’s new energy-efficient technology and to pass that technology on to future generations.”
Protecting future generations, it seems, is the motivation behind many entrepreneurs’ commitment to promoting energy efficiency.
“I have grandchildren, and it’s not their fault our country and world are in this position with energy today,” Elster says. “I remember paying 19 cents a gallon for gasoline – you could get 10 gallons for $2. Today we’re paying $2 and $3 for one gallon. It’s our responsibility to help our grandchildren overcome these problems – and to some degree, we’re winning.”
