SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability at Mack
At Mack, sustainability is more than a value—it’s a responsibility. As a vertically-integrated manufacturer with deep roots in the communities where we operate, we’re committed to sustainable manufacturing and building a business that prioritizes environmental stewardship, employee well-being, and long-term resource management.
Our approach to sustainable manufacturing is intentional and strategic—grounded in continuous improvement, compliance, prevention, and transparency. From facility upgrades to supply chain partnerships, we’re working to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering world-class manufacturing solutions.
Environmental Leadership
Mack has developed a comprehensive Environmental Management System (EMS) to systematically track and reduce the environmental impacts of our operations. This commitment earned Mack the designation of Environmental Leader by the State of Vermont—only the third manufacturer in the state to receive this distinction. We’re also proud to be ISO 14001 certified at our Southern Division facilities, demonstrating our adherence to globally recognized environmental standards.
Sustainable Practices in Action
- Energy Efficiency
- Lighting & Electrical Upgrades
- Replaced over 2,100 lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED and fluorescent technologies across multiple facilities
- Converted exterior floodlights and indoor fluorescent lighting to LEDs
- Installed motion sensors and T5 lighting in the Pownal warehouse
- Equipment & Building Efficiency
- Installed variable frequency drives on presses to improve power control
- Installed smart meters at the Cavendish plant, resulting in a 12% energy reduction (527,000 kWh saved)
- Upgraded IT hardware to more energy-efficient systems
- Replaced LCD monitors with energy-efficient LED monitors
- Thermal Efficiency & Heating
- Replaced 105 windows, 7 overhead/entry doors, and removed 35 windows at the Cavendish facility
- Achieved a 57% reduction in heating oil usage, from 80,000 to 34,000 gallons/year
- Recycling & Waste Reduction
- Reuse/recycle:
- 935,000 lbs/year of plastic resin
- 669,000 lbs/year of sheet metal
- 275,200 lbs/year of cardboard/packaging
- Installed right-sized packaging-on-demand systems to reduce cardboard waste
- Reduced paper and ink cartridge use at E. Arlington through new inkjet printer and digital HR documentation
- Installed 10 green recycling bins in conference rooms and cafeteria for zero-sort recycling
- Recycled food storage and computer packaging waste
- Diverted significant volumes of hazardous and non-hazardous waste through advanced recycling initiatives
- Reuse/recycle:
- Lighting & Electrical Upgrades
- Environmental Stewardship & Conservation
- Developed a Pellet Loss Prevention Plan and updated stormwater and hazardous waste protocols
- Built and installed bat boxes to support biodiversity and combat white-nose syndrome
- Moved smoking areas to improve air quality and encourage use of outdoor green spaces
- Participated in annual Black River spring clean-up, water quality testing, habitat assessment, and fish stocking
- Green Space & Employee Wellness
- Developed a Community Garden area with raised beds, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a volleyball court, and a small driving range
- Added a horseshoe pit to the HQ recreational area to encourage outdoor activity
- Created and maintained hiking/snowshoeing trails on 40-acre forested parcel
Certified Environmental Stewardship
Mack’s Southern Division has maintained ISO 14001 certification since 2007—an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. This certification underscores our commitment to sustainable manufacturing and continuous environmental improvement.
To support this, our Southern Division has implemented a robust set of environmental controls and best practices, including:
- A Pellet Loss Prevention Plan
- Comprehensive Environmental Policy Manual
- Detailed work instructions and procedural documentation
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
- Updated Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Plans
- An integrated Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) incident reporting system
Each facility—Inman and Statesville, North Carolina—is staffed by a full-time EHS manager and undergoes biannual environmental reviews to ensure progress toward key sustainability goals.
Recognized Performance
Our South Carolina facilities received the Smart Business Recycling Program Award from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control for recycling over 840 tons of material in a single fiscal year. These plants are staffed with full-time environmental, health, and safety managers and undergo biannual environmental reviews to measure performance and guide further improvements.
Sustainable Sourcing
We believe sustainability extends beyond our walls. That’s why we prioritize vendors with environmentally responsible practices through our Environmental Purchasing Policy, and why we continually seek out ways to reduce emissions and promote efficiency across our supply chain.
Ongoing Commitment
Sustainability at Mack is an evolving journey. From community garden spaces and trail development to water quality monitoring and habitat restoration, we actively engage in local initiatives that support both people and the planet.
At Mack, our commitment to sustainability is guided by a clear Environmental Policy rooted in compliance, risk reduction, prevention, resource management, and open communication. Through our Environmental Purchasing Policy, we extend that commitment across our supply chain—partnering with suppliers who share our dedication to environmentally responsible practices.
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved—and even more excited about what comes next.
Related Information
MISSION
Mack’s mission is Total Customer Satisfaction. Though simple in wording, this principle drives every major decision the company makes. For example, entering the rapid prototyping and tooling markets was a direct response to customer feedback and the need to accelerate time-to-market. Likewise, expanding the headquarters facility to increase contract manufacturing capacity was driven by growing market demand.
But beyond responding to customers’ needs to further grow the business, Mack also formally measures customer satisfaction on a quarterly basis around four criteria:
- Return rate
- Number of on-time deliveries
- How the customer ranks Mack as a supplier in relation to its competitors
- General feedback from customers
Results are posted in all plants and compensation is directly linked to customer satisfaction and profitability.
Key Values
As part of its mission, Mack employees embrace the following key values, which serve as the foundation for continued improvement, growth and success of the company:
