Teamwork Leads to Award Win for Neenah Business

Neenah, Wis. – The Galloway Company and Classic Mix Partners made a big investment in energy efficiency in 2018. As a result, the business has seen major energy and cost savings and earned a 2019 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award, presented to the company by FOCUS ON ENERGY® on Wednesday.

“As the energy industry changes – and it’s changing rapidly – we know that energy efficiency has to continue to play a huge role in that change. So, thank you for your leadership,” Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) Chairwoman, Rebecca Cameron Valcq, told Galloway Company executives before presenting them with the plaque.

In 2018, the Galloway Company substantially upgraded its production process, adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to almost all of its pumping and mixing equipment in an effort to better control energy use. 

“Galloway mentioned they had considered VFDs. I think … through the incentives and everything that was offered, they decided to go ahead with the project,” said Jennifer Szedziewski with We Energies, which provides power to Galloway Company’s facility in Neenah.

The project provided an excellent example of the cooperation it takes to grow projects like this from idea to reality.

Focus on Energy was introduced to the project by We Energies, one of the 107 Wisconsin utilities that partner with the Focus on Energy program. Galloway’s vendor and Focus on Energy Trade Ally contractor, WESCO Distribution, worked closely with Focus on Energy and We Energies in gathering and submitting information needed for Focus on Energy to approve incentive funding for the project. 

“WESCO stepped up and they really went above and beyond for this project,” Szedziewski said. “They provided all the info customers normally provide: equipment specifications, invoices … really streamlined it for [Galloway] and … made this project possible … It really exemplifies the importance of Trade Allies in the program.”

Most importantly, the Galloway Company adjusted its upgrade plans to include additional VFDs based on recommendations from the Focus on Energy team.

“This type of collaboration between a company, between Focus on Energy and between the utility – in this case, We Energies – is a perfect example of the collaboration Wisconsin is known for,” PSC Chairwoman Valcq said.

In the end, Focus on Energy offered $48,000 in financial incentives to help offset the initial cost of the company’s investment in energy efficiency.

“You do the math on the cost of the [VFDs] and you can’t quite get there, but with the help of Focus on Energy, it brings that cost payback way down where we can actually afford to put these things in,” Galloway COO Kevin Beauchamp explained after accepting the award.

“This is a great example of where a business is utilizing those resources. They’re using energy more efficiently. It’s saving money for them. They’re able to provide great products and great jobs to people in our community,” said Rep. Mike Rorhrkaste, who came to the award presentation to congratulate the company, along with Sen. Roger Roth.

“Nothing gives us more pleasure than when we get to come to events like these,” Sen. Roth said, “because we all know the economy is doing [really] well in the Fox Valley, but it has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with great companies like the Galloway Company, who just make the Fox Valley a wonderful place to live, a wonderful place to work … and we want to thank them for their commitment to reduce their energy footprint.”

The Galloway Company’s investment in efficiency will pay off for years to come as the project is estimated to save 2.7 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year and $245,000 in annual electricity costs.

Located in Neenah, the Galloway Company specializes in producing a variety of custom liquid concentrated dairy blends, including sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream liqueurs and other dessert mixes.

The company is one of 18 statewide businesses and groups honored with an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award in 2019 for demonstrating commitment to energy efficiency.

A recent third-party evaluation noted Focus on Energy runs the most-cost-effective statewide energy efficiency programs in the nation. It also found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy generates more than $5 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs and reduced pollution.

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.