PennTAP's advice saved money, jobs across Pennsylvania in 2008

Clients report more than $23 million in benefits from PennTAP help

University Park, Pa. — Executives at Castle Co-Packers, a company in Westmoreland County that brews teas and other prepared drinks, sought an objective, external assessment with regard to energy efficiency and pollution prevention. They contacted Penn State Outreach’s PennTAP, a technical assistance program, for help.

PennTAP conducted a site assessment for Castle Co-Packers and made recommendations to repair and improve such high-use items as the boiler, air and steam systems, and install more energy-efficient lighting, among other suggestions. The company made the improvements and not only reduced electric power consumption by 90,000 kilowatt hours per year but also lowered water consumption by almost 72 million gallons per year. The company's savings reached about $80,000.

This is just one example of how PennTAP helps Pennsylvania companies daily. According to its annual report, PennTAP provided 541 cases of technical assistance to 480 clients in 64 counties across Pennsylvania in 2008. Clients reported more than $23 million in economic benefits, and more than 600 jobs created or retained.

PennTAP increased its focus on energy in 2008, with a team providing energy efficiency audits, assistance with grant applications, and informational training sessions and workshops. "We helped an increasing number of businesses find sustainable alternative-energy solutions — a key way for businesses to save money and become more competitive," said Wayne Figurelle, director of PennTAP.

Other PennTAP assistance ranges from Web site assessments to environmental health and safety reviews. For example, it helped Bless Precision Tool in Bucks County ensure its compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) noise regulations and hearing protection by conducting a series of noise measurements throughout the facility and by providing planning and training materials. "The safety of our employees is of utmost importance," said Howard Bless, president of Bless Precision Tool. With PennTAP's help "we may have avoided fines from OSHA and employee issues related to future hearing problems," he added.

Business interested in PennTAP can call (814) 865-0427 or go to http://www.penntap.psu.edu online.

The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) engages, guides and empowers businesses and organizations throughout the Commonwealth and beyond by providing objective and experience-based technical and workforce solutions that enable clients to succeed and thrive — stimulating economic growth for Pennsylvania. For more information, visit http://www.penntap.psu.edu online. PennTAP is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education. Penn State Outreach serves more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.