Your window into the weird words of our world. ECOLAB’S GLOBAL ASSOCIATE MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 ti·tra·tion [tī-ˈtrā-shən] (noun) How do you know if there’s enough detergent in the water to clean your dishes or clothes? Through titration — a test performed at nearly every customer visit by Institutional and Textile Care territory managers. “Titration helps us determine if we are using the right level of detergent for the job,” said John Elder, Institutional distributor sales development manager. John is a titration expert, having performed more than 32,000 titration tests during his 28 years at Ecolab. So how does titration work? It begins with taking a sample of wash water from a dishmachine or washing machine, adding ethyl alcohol to turn the sample pink and finally, adding hydrochloric acid drop by drop until the sample turns clear. The number of drops added measures the concentration of detergent in the water. If there isn’t enough detergent, the dishes and laundry won’t be cleaned properly. If there’s too much, residual detergent will be left on the items. “Titration tests are critical,” explained John. “They help ensure we’re providing our customers the best possible result at the lowest possible cost.” MEET THE FIGHTERS BUGS BUG BUSTERS VS 5 Institutional and Textile Care territory managers use a test known as titration to determine if the water in washing machines, like the one pictured here, contains the right amount of detergent. TREMENDOUS TA L E S A LS O F E AT U R I N G THIRSTY WORLD WATER RISK MONETIZER GLOBAL MEETS LOCAL JURONG ISLAND, SINGAPORE THE BIG PICTURE TOTA L PLA NT A S SE S SMENT A MESSAGE FROM DOUG OUR GLOBAL ASSOCIATES My Work Matters 2 SPOTLIGHT Five Bugs Taking the Fight to Bad Bugs 4 INNOVATION Water Risk Monetizer Thirsty World 8 FACILITY FEATURE Jurong Island Global Meets Local 12 PROBLEM-SOLVING Total Plant Assessment The Big Picture 14 PICTURE YOUR IMPACT Photo Contest See the Winners 16 At Ecolab, we are in a constant battle to make the world cleaner, safer and healthier. We help protect people from some of the world’s worst microbes and pests — the ones that can damage equipment, disrupt production, make us sick and even cause death. In this issue of Impact, you’ll get a ringside seat, seeing how Ecolab associates fight the toughest bugs — and win. You’ll also hear from a team of experts who bring massive water and energy savings to our customers, learn more about the Water Risk Monetizer and take a look at our new facility in Singapore. Through this magazine, we are sharing stories about our company’s impact on the world. Help us tell the stories that are most important to you by contacting [email protected]. ON THE COVER Ruth Petran is our very own food safety warrior. Read about her fight against norovirus at impact.ecolab.com. Meet more of our bug busters on page 4. I hope you enjoy this issue of Impact and share it with your family and friends. They can rest easier knowing Ecolab associates are out there protecting them, each and every day. Best, Douglas M. Baker, Jr. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer FROM THE LAB TO THE FACTORY FLOOR, OUR BUG BUSTERS ARE READY TO FIGHT 4 PAGE ABOUT IMPACT Every day, Ecolab helps make the world cleaner, safer and healthier — protecting people and vital resources. As the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technology and services, our vision is to provide solutions that help deliver clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. Impact is about the people behind our technology and services — 45,000 associates across the globe who make a positive difference for our customers, communities and society at large. We hope you will find inspiration and energy in the stories told here of growing, learning and serving together for the greater good. To offer feedback or submit story ideas, contact [email protected]. © 2015 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Principal Microbiologist TJ Tidwell develops tests that ensure our antimicrobial treatments can deliver a knockout punch to oilfield bacteria. Our broad arsenal of expertise and technology helps us fight bugs in restaurants, hotels, hospitals — and even cooling towers and oil pipelines. 1 “I am proud that Ecolab can provide our dairy customers with solutions to reduce bacterial contaminants in their milk powder production process, helping them meet more stringent global quality standards. For example, the Asian infant formula market demands a powder with a very low bacteria spore content, which many of our customers were unable to deliver consistently until working with Ecolab. With our help, one of our customers has garnered millions of dollars in additional revenue for delivering premium, high-quality, non-fat powdered milk.” OUR GLOBAL ASSOCIATES Peter Fernholz Ecolab Fellow, Global Research, Development & Engineering, Food & Beverage United States “I deliver water treatment products that help customers contribute to a better world. But beyond this, my work matters because I help keep the team at our Suzano plant safe. I work hard to create a culture of safety and demonstrate that being safe is important — both at work and at home.” My Work Matters “I’m proud that I help customers better understand their problems and how our solutions can make a difference. I recently helped improve the sanitation in gas station bathrooms. The customer didn’t understand why Ecolab had so many products — why we couldn’t have one product for all situations. I helped him realize that each product has a unique purpose — like how we use different products to brush our teeth, wash our hair and clean our clothes. We made an agreement that day, and I was able to provide the products and training the customer needed in order to ensure a cleaner and healthier experience for the customer’s customers.” Eric Qiu Field Service Manager, Quick Service Restaurants China 2 “People trust Ecolab. One of the largest global hotel chains in the region was facing an issue with corrosion in its hot water system, which was placing its brand reputation at stake. With our product chemistries and expertise, we solved the problem.” Upinder Veer District Representative, Water & Process Services India Francisco “Chicão” Albuquerque Filho Operations Manager, Supply Chain Brazil “With our broad portfolio, we are able to engage healthcare professionals to make a difference at every step to reduce healthcare-associated infections. Knowing that our partnership with customers will directly affect patient care is why we in Infection Prevention know that our work matters.” Nicola Richmond Infection Prevention Regional Divisional Manager, Healthcare United Kingdom “I’m proud that we impact the world by controlling the chemical hazards in the environment, helping with water clarification and decreasing production and energy costs.” Emad Hammouda Chemical Engineer, Energy Services Libya 3 SPOTLIGHT Five Bugs TAKING THE FIGHT TO Most bugs, from tiny bacteria to flying insects, are harmless or even beneficial. That’s lucky for us: Bugs surround — and vastly outnumber — us. As part of our mission to help make the world cleaner, safer and healthier, Ecolab takes on the trouble-making bugs. “There is no magic bullet,” said Tom Arata from the global Antimicrobial Anchor team. “Controlling bugs means bringing all of our knowledge and service expertise to our customers.” Fortunately, we have assembled a broad arsenal of expertise and technology for fighting bugs in restaurants, delis, hotels, hospitals and food and beverage plants — and even cooling towers and oil pipelines. And the more we do battle, the more we learn. Our fight with bad bugs will never end. But our determination to help our customers win will be forever strong. Meet some of our fearless fighters and learn about the critical battles they’re waging. “THE GREATEST FIGHTS OF ALL TIME” 4 ANDREW “THE DIFF-ERENCE” MURPHY C. DIFF VS HEALTHCARE MARKETING MANAGER ••• UPSTART: JUST A YEAR IN THE RING ••• CREDITS ENTIRE TEAM WITH SUCCESS THE BACKSTORY But there are a few that pack a mean punch. They can make us sick and may even cause death. They damage equipment and disrupt production. And indirectly, they take a toll on businesses, causing foodborne illness, product recalls and plant shutdowns — wrecking reputations in the process. Photo Credit: Melissa Brower, CDC BAD BUGS ALSO GOES BY CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE OR C. DIFFICILE ••• STRIKES IN HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ••• TARGETS OLDER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE ON ANTIBIOTICS ••• PACKS A LOW BLOW: SEVERE DIARRHEA, DIFFICULT RECOVERY, DEATH THE MATCHUP: A clever fighter, C. diff TH E K N O CKO UT PU N CH : Ecolab’s RINGSIDE REPORT: “We spent a week hides inside a hard shell, known as a spore, which can survive on surfaces for more than six months. Travels on human hands; attacks once ingested. Andrew’s fight plan: Break through the spore quickly, then disarm the microbe with disinfectant — without damaging nearby surfaces and fabrics. OxyCide ™ Daily Disinfectant Cleaner. Kills C. diff spores in only three minutes. A non-bleach, spore-killing product registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for hospital use. Can be used as a daily cleaner. Based on our peracid chemistry — the same used to fight bad bugs in food and beverage plants and in water returned to the surface during oil drilling. trialing OxyCide at a hospital. Then I got a call from a close friend, telling me he had gone into the hospital — the same one where we had just installed OxyCide. His call hit home. What we do really helps keep patients safer and improves their lives.” 5 BARCAY THOMPSON VICKI “THE VICTOR” VS Photo Credit: Balasubr Swaminathan and Peggy Hayes, CDC Photo Credit: Janice Haney Carr, CDC JOHN “THE JUDGE” LARGE FLIES LISTERIA CAUSES LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE, A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PNEUMONIA ••• CAN KNOCK OUT BUSINESSES IDENTIFIED AS SOURCE ••• STRIKES MOST OFTEN IN HOTELS, HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES SENIOR TECHNICAL CONSULTANT, WATER & PROCESS SERVICES ••• VETERAN FIGHTER: 12 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE ••• GOES THE DISTANCE TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE ••• TAG TEAM WITH 30 YEARS IN THE ECOLAB CORNER ••• SPECIALTY: CONTROLLING FOODBORNE PATHOGENS ••• KNOWN FOR KEEPING OPPONENTS ON THE ROPES TECHNICALLY, LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES ••• CAUSES LISTERIOSIS, A SERIOUS, SOMETIMES DEADLY, INFECTION ••• TARGETS THOSE WITH WEAK IMMUNITY ••• HITS FOOD PROCESSORS AND RETAILERS HARD: RECALLS, SHUTDOWNS, REPUTATION DAMAGE (MICROBIAL INFLUENCED CORROSION) IN OILFIELDS PRINCIPAL MICROBIOLOGIST, ENERGY SERVICES ••• THREE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE ••• SPECIALTIES: SCOUTING THE OPPONENT; VERIFYING THE FIGHT PLAN ••• REFUSES TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC BACTERIA ••• SMALL BUT MIGHTY: ABLE TO PUNCH HOLES IN METAL ••• DAMAGE PIPELINES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT ••• CAN SHUT DOWN OIL PRODUCERS AND COST THEM PLENTY THE MATCHUP: Legionella grows everywhere, especially in THE MATCHUP: As large flies breed and feed in garbage and THE MATCHUP: Listeria lives virtually everywhere, especially THE MATCHUP: Oilfield bacteria corrode pipes and other warm water. Travels on tiny water droplets from air conditioning and plumbing systems, hot tubs and decorative fountains. Begins attack in humans when inhaled. Eric’s strategy: Control Legionella’s growth in water and cooling systems to lower the likelihood it will be inhaled. manure, they collect pathogens on their bodies, then give these pathogens a free ride to all the places they land, including on food. Once ingested with the food, the pathogens can cause illness. John and Vicki counter with a two-pronged strategy: Reduce fly populations outside of food establishments, and if flies get inside, keep them away from food. in cool, wet places. Even survives freezing. Infects people when ingested with food. LouAnn and Kirsten know they can’t knock Listeria out of the ring completely, so they work to keep it cornered. equipment, slow oil flow by plugging filters and pores in oil reserves, and create lethal hydrogen sulfide gas that also damages equipment and degrades oil quality. TJ’s counterattack: Make sure the antimicrobial treatments recommended will effectively control the bacteria under the specific conditions where they will be used. THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH: The AQUAPath™ Water Safety Program that treats water systems. Plus, ongoing monitoring, testing and treatment. RINGSIDE REPORT: “I heard that a hotel customer was a suspected source of Legionella, so I immediately went to the hotel. I collected water samples and walked through the building to understand where the problems might be. To limit any further risk, we shut down the water systems. Then we developed a proactive water safety protocol, including flushing showers and faucets and applying ‘shock chlorination’ to the pool and spa. Through it all, the hotel’s only thought was about the health of its guests and employees. We knew we were in the middle of a potential public health threat. And we were able to make a difference.” D I S C O V E R E D 6 JOHN: SENIOR SCIENTIST, 24 YEARS ••• VICKI: PEST ELIMINATION SENIOR SERVICE SPECIALIST, 12 YEARS ••• KEEP OPPONENTS DOWN AND OUT ALSO KNOWN AS HOUSEFLIES OR “FILTH” FLIES ••• PUT PEOPLE AT RISK OF STOMACH ACHES FROM FOODBORNE ILLNESS ••• DELIVER POWERFUL BLOWS TO BUSINESS: ILLNESS, LOST REVENUE, REPUTATION DAMAGE THE BACKSTORY LEGIONELLA THE BACKSTORY MYERS MARSHMAN VS HOWE THE BACKSTORY VS ERIC “DON’T MESS WITH ME” VS THE BACKSTORY KIRSTEN “THE CONSULTANT” LOUANN “MY WAY” TIDWELL MIC TJ “TOUGH GUY” I N 1976 N A ME D A F T E R A N OU T BR E A K AT A N AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH: Technology combined with on‑site service. Ecolab innovations bring unstoppable power to the punch: A pesticide that is safe for contact with food called Finito™, the STEALTH ™ Fly Light, which attracts and reduces flies indoors, and the STEALTH™ Fly Station, placed outdoors to eliminate flies before they get inside. Delivering another decisive blow: Customer site visits that allow service specialists to identify and address potential places where pests may enter, and train customers in pest control practices. RINGSIDE REPORT: “The food plants I serve are audited frequently for quality. When the auditors don’t find flies or other pests, it helps me know that I’m doing a good job for the customer. That’s satisfaction for me,” said Vicki. “For customers, our fly program means fewer flies in their facilities, and this allows them to enjoy peace of mind and protection for their brand,” John said. “When we solve the problem, our customers realize the value of partnering with Ecolab Pest Elimination.” THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH: Training for customers in proper chemical treatments and best practices: Cleaning and sanitizing, personal and hand hygiene, and keeping ready-to-eat foods away from places Listeria may lurk. Regular auditing of Listeria control at customer sites to guide continuous improvement. Coaching to keep field teams at least one step ahead. RINGSIDE REPORT: “We observe our customers’ practices, from hand-scrubbing and applying chemicals to pre-production inspection,” Kirsten said. “We’re always looking for things they could improve.” “We’re very passionate about what we do,” said LouAnn. “I have grandchildren from 20 months to 20 years old. I don’t want to worry that the food they eat might make them sick.” TIMES WOMEN ARE 10 PREGNANT MORE LIKELY TO GET LISTERIOSIS THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH: Develop effective testing methods to demonstrate that the recommended chemicals can stand up and deliver an effective punch, given the conditions. RINGSIDE REPORT: “It’s rewarding to be involved in helping to protect platforms, pipelines and other assets, especially when you understand the magnitude of the investment oil producers put into projects, the potential for environmental disaster and the billions in revenue that are at stake. But even more rewarding is to help implement best practices from the beginning of a project, then see the oilfield come on line S! with fewer issues RIE O T S as a result.” RE M N MO RA D PE T CO EA . R TH USE T U ! B S” R ER” H ERS LA LES M HT O UTH E HAM G R I C “ TH E EF . D“ R A T CH MO AC ET M E IMP 7 INNOVATION Water Risk Monetizer What is Water Worth? THIRSTY WORLD With fresh water, we all draw from the same cup. The problem is, that cup is not bottomless. Of all the water on Earth, only about 2.5 percent is fresh, not salty. And nearly 99 percent of that is frozen and not available. What’s more, the Earth’s supply of fresh water remains generally constant, while demand for clean, drinkable water keeps growing. More people, more farming, more industry — all are asking for more water. In some parts of the world, water scarcity is already affecting families, food production and businesses. By 2030, half the world’s population will live in water-scarce areas, according to the United Nations. The challenge before us is urgent: How to be smarter about using and conserving water so that our common cup can supply everyone’s needs, now and in the future. “It’s a mega-challenge that directly aligns with our mission at Ecolab,” said Sustainability Vice President Emilio Tenuta. “We’re committed to protecting and preserving vital resources, including clean water, and we’re already helping business and industry better manage the water they use in their operations.” INSPIRING WISER WATER CHOICES Now, with a recent innovation called the Water Risk Monetizer, Ecolab is looking to make a broader impact, one that will foster a new mindset about the value of water and create greater demand for watersaving innovation. “With the Water Risk Monetizer, an online tool we’ve made available to the public at no cost, we want to inspire industry and agriculture to better understand and appreciate water’s real value and begin to view it as the scarce asset that it is,” Emilio said. Industry gulps about 20 percent of the total fresh water used globally. Agriculture accounts for 70 percent. 8 Historically, water has been priced low, even in areas where it is scarce. For example, the cost of water in Copenhagen, Denmark, where water is plentiful, is $3.38 per cubic meter. In Shanghai, China, an area with increasing water scarcity, businesses pay a mere $0.31 per cubic meter. According to research conducted by Trucost, our partner in developing the Water Risk Monetizer and a leader in valuing nature’s assets, the full value of water to a business is comparable to 25 percent of its profits. Yet in most parts of the world, businesses pay very little for it. “Unless companies have confronted real shortages, they probably haven’t considered water’s real value,” said Sustainability Technical Lead Raj Rajan. “BY PUTTING A REAL PRICE ON WATER, WE CAN HELP SHAPE STRATEGIES THAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE, SOCIALLY EQUITABLE AND THAT MAKE GOOD BUSINESS SENSE.” Christophe Beck Executive Vice President and President, International Regions Learn more at waterriskmonetizer.com. » 9 Moscow $0.83 A closer look at the world’s water supply 97.500% 2.475% .025% Amsterdam $3.42 SALT WATER FRESH BUT FROZEN Istanbul $2.04 Minneapolis $1.43 New York City $1.31 Los Angeles $1.85 Houston $1.46 Beijing $0.59 Casablanca $0.90 Tokyo $1.13 FRESH AND AVAILABLE Phnom Penh $0.16 Jeddah $0.03 CALCULATING WATER RISKS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL Because water supplies vary from place to place, the Water Risk Monetizer helps companies understand their risks locally. Once they enter information into the Water Risk Monetizer about current or anticipated water use at a site, the online calculator combines it with data on the availability of water and other demands for water in the local watershed. ig h sk h ig -h m ri iu 36 H 35.7 ed 13 M m iu ed We all use water — for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning — but that’s just a fraction of our total water footprint. Consider these everyday items: m iu ed M The Water Risk Monetizer helps make the case for using, recycling and conserving water in every way possible. And it is one way Ecolab is helping ensure the common cup — from which we and all living things drink — never runs dry. Sydney $2.76 sk “The low price of water has made it difficult for plant operators to make the case for buying into water-efficient programs,” said Corporate Account Manager Jeff Wilkins. “With the Water Risk Monetizer’s calculation, they will have data to help justify the investment.” Johannesburg $0.54 Santiago $0.67 -m w Lo What kinds of decisions will the Water Risk Monetizer help inform? Primarily investment decisions: Where to build a new plant or expand an existing one, which locations would benefit most from investments in water-reduction programs, and what is the likely return on investment in water-saving technologies? Rio de Janeiro $1.10 ri An illustration: A hotel in a dry region of India must cut its water use. To stay within its limit, the hotel reduces the rooms it offers to guests — and revenue suffers. Yet justifying an investment in water-saving technology is difficult because water in the area continues to be priced low. In fact, at current water prices, it would take three years to pay back the investment. But the calculation changes if the hotel uses the “risk-adjusted” water price provided by the Water Risk Monetizer, a price that reflects water availability and local demand. In fact, the hotel finds its investment would pay off in less than a year. Plus, investing in “The strength of the Water Risk Monetizer is the data,” said Brad Colton, procurement team member at global hospitality leader Marriott International, an Ecolab customer. “Anytime you can measure and produce data, you can make better informed decisions.” As the map shows, water is priced low almost everywhere, even in places like Mumbai where there’s a severe shortage. But today’s low pricing does not reflect the real value water provides to businesses — in sustaining current operations or enabling future growth. The Water Risk Monetizer helps companies look beyond their current water bills to better understand the possible financial impact of water scarcity on their business. w Lo Using software designed by Trucost, the tool quantifies the real and potential risks in financial terms commonly used by businesses in their analyses, planning and decision-making. water-saving technology would help the hotel — and the community — save water. Mumbai $0.28 468 1,008 1,320 2,900 GALLONS OF WATER ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE 1 gallon of gasoline 1 egg 1 cup of coffee 1 pound of chicken 1 gallon of wine 500 sheets of paper 1 pair of jeans Sources: Global Water Intelligence, National Geographic, University of Michigan, World Resources Institute Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas 10 10 11 FACILITY FEATURE Jurong Island A Global Meets Local B C Jurong Island, Singapore In China, India and other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, a rising middle class is buying cars, homes and modern appliances at a furious pace, and the wheels of industry are flying fast to supply them. The demand for energy — a nd the need to develop new oil and gas energy sources, whether underground or under sea — is soaring. These developments are happening far from To build the plant: Texas — the longtime home of Ecolab’s major produc tion sites fo r o ilf i e l d and downstream chemicals, the kind multinational workers that energy producers need to keep their oil and gas flowing, processes op eratin g ef ficiently an d equipment safe from damage. Shipping the products 10,000 miles or more to the other side of the world can take three months under normal conditions — and longer during hurricane season. Not only does the work hours distance add cost, it also adds risk. 1,400 3.4 The Eastern Hemisphere Core Plant is impressive for many reasons, among them the zero-accident safety record that workers achieved during its 20‑month construction. “The fact that all of our employees went home in the same good condition in which they came to work meant everything to us,” said Project Manager Duc Le. 12 million 0 recordable accidents These are among the reasons why Ecolab’s new chemical plant on Singapore’s Jurong Island, which opened last October, is an important addition. With production underway at the new 22‑acre Eastern Hemisphere Core Plant, customers in the Eastern half of the world can expect deliveries in just four to six weeks. And our production capacity, which was nearing its maximum at our Texas plants, is no longer a concern. D “The Jurong Island plant puts us closer to our customers,” said Bob Smith, Energy Services vice president of Supply Chain, Asia Pacific. “With proximity comes less risk and greater assurance that orders will be delivered on time.” The Jurong Island location is equally important for other reasons too. “The energy markets in the Middle East, China, Australasia and Southeast Asia are among the fastest growing anywhere,” said Eric Seip, senior vice president of Global Supply Chain for Energy Services. “And with our investment in new, sustainable infrastructure, we’re leading the other energy and chemical companies that also are expanding in this area.” “Singapore is the perfect place from which to service our customers in China, the rest of Asia and the Middle East, areas where we expect extensive future growth,” said Alex Blanco, chief supply chain officer. “In Jurong Island, we’re just where we need to be.” E A Executive Vice President and President of Global Energy Steve Taylor, Plant Manager Senthil Kumar, Project Manager Duc Le and Chief Supply Chain Officer Alex Blanco B Maintenance Technician Palaniappan Selvarajan and Utility Operator Subash Chandra Bose C Control Room Board Operators Vincent Joseph and Selvakumar Natarajan D Process Engineer Marisa Wei and Quality Assurance Lab Technician Tan Wei Xian E Project Engineer Gunalan Susendren F Quality Assurance Analyst Tan Qui Chen See more of Jurong Island in our behindthe-scenes video at impact.ecolab.com. F 13 GLIMPSE INTO A PLANT: HOW THE PROS APPROACH A PLANT ASSESSMENT PROBLEM-SOLVING Total Plant Assessment While each assessment is unique, there are typical tasks the team performs in most plants, including this potato chip production facility. The Big Picture Saving customers water, energy and money with Total Plant Assessments You might think of them as gold miners, carefully combing through the intricacies of food and beverage operations. Their mission is to find treasures for our customers: opportunities to help save water and energy and boost plant hygiene, productivity and product quality. 14 “Our team paves the way for other Ecolab associates to help customers make the most of the water, energy and cost-saving opportunities we identify,” said Blake. “We’re also in the process of expanding our tools and platform for a larger Ecolab audience, so that the learnings from our TPAs can become institutionalized. This will result in more savings opportunities for customers and greater impact for Ecolab.” These opportunities truly are worth their weight in gold. “I help the plant manager understand the Total Plant Assessment process. I also make connections, bringing multiple divisions together in one plant to show the value that is possible only through Ecolab.” Jeff McClary Cleaning & Sanitation Senior Area Technical Support Coordinator “The first thing we look for is whether a customer’s pest program is preventing food safety issues. Our team focuses on creating a partnership with the customer to drive a program that can dramatically reduce the presence of pests.” “I look everywhere in the plant, from the production floor to chemical rooms, examining how the types of systems and equipment are being used. For example, what type of hose nozzle is used in production? We help customers by offering our technical support, providing engineering expertise and suggesting programming changes.” Bill McCormick Industry Technical Consultant Bob White Total Plant Assessment Coordinator “I bring my experience as an industrial engineer into a plant, try to understand the entire production process and gain a cohesive image of what’s going on before examining the waste treatment area. The key to success in wastewater treatment is consistency. We help customers understand their water flow so they can achieve that consistency.” “I may be the first person on the team to visit the plant. I try to learn more about the plant’s local needs, validate and request extra information, and broadcast that information to the team prior to them arriving on‑site. This effort helps ensure proper resource alignment and an efficient process.” Clarifier Ingredient Receiving Ingredient Storage Odor Control Biological Treatment Liquid-Solid Separation pH Adjustment & Equalization Pest Elimination Hopper Flume Cleaning & Sanitation Softeners & Filtration Boilers Cleaning & Peeling Water Treatment Conducting a TPA is no simple task. First, a “scout” visits to assess the general lay of the land and identify the resources needed to perform the assessment. Then, other members of the team hit the ground to conduct a meticulous inspection to identify possible areas of improvement. They may uncover anything from a leaky hose to a complex reconfiguration of plant machinery that allows water from a production line to be recycled for use in a cooling tower. Just as important, a TPA provides a launching point for an ongoing customer relationship. “With each TPA, we emphasize that it is the beginning of a journey that we would like to take with our customers,” said Tim Barnhouse, TPA team leader. “The first thing I do is examine where the plant is located and what type of business it’s in. If it’s in California and the area is in a drought, we would take environmental pressures affecting the plant into account. I also direct the team while clearly communicating opportunities to our customers.” Bob Lowe Pest Elimination Customer Technical Manager Waste Solutions As its name suggests, TPA is an investigation of a plant from top to bottom. The focus is the plant’s processes and operations (cleaning, production and utilities) and the flow of water and energy within and among them. Typically done in less than two weeks’ time, the TPA provides a map to hidden savings — golden nuggets that plant operators may well choose to turn into real money. Because these assessments are time intensive and require special expertise, they are offered exclusively to our largest, most complex customers. “In just a week or two in a plant, the TPA demonstrates the value of working with our company,” said Program Manager Blake Schomas. “It is the primary tool we use to showcase the benefits of collaboration between Water & Process Services, Food & Beverage and Pest Elimination, and the value delivered through our integrated solutions. In this way, our customers realize the differentiation from this combined effort that only Ecolab can provide.” Tim Christopher Total Plant Assessment Team Leader Sludge Management Food Production These intrepid Ecolab associates — experts in cleaning and sanitation, water and wastewater treatment and pest elimination — are the force behind a special offering for select customers called Total Plant Assessment (TPA). These golden nuggets can add up: An assessment can uncover up to $1 million in repeatable annual savings — a nd opportunities to cut water use by 30 percent and energy costs by 25 percent. Since the program’s inception in 2007, the TPA team estimates it has identified 10 billion gallons of potential water savings each year. Tim Barnhouse Total Plant Assessment Team Leader Slicer Belts Chiller Fryer Cooling Towers Seasoning Packaging Shipping 15 PICTURE YOUR IMPACT Photo Contest Winners SEE THE WINNERS More than 400 associates from around the world entered the Impact photo contest, showing where we work, live and have fun and how we make the world cleaner, safer and healthier. Here are the winners, as selected by our fellow associates. See all of the top submissions at impact.ecolab.com. 16 Family holiday in the Philippines Ivana Ohajdova Business Operations, The Netherlands Chairs for a school devastated by a typhoon Albert Samuela Enterprise Excellence, Philippines Night’s lights in Tokyo Kimio Wadayama Water & Process Services, Japan View on the way to work in Rome Claudia Del Gaudio Facilities, Italy 17
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