Energy-savers
Larry Daugherty, president of the Armstrong Hot Water Group, stands with two Flo-Direct water heaters, one of which is ready to be shipped to a Michigan company.

Photo by: Commerical-News/Elena Hines

Back to News Index

"We've been a green company forever"

Larry Daugherty, President, Armstrong Hot Water Group

Reprinted with permission from February 5, 2009 issue of the Three Rivers Commercial-News by Elena Hines, Managing Editor.

Armstrong International, a local manufacturer of steam, air and hot water systems, got some statewide recognition Tuesday night in Gov. Jennifer Granholm's State of the State address.

"As proof that it can be done, our state government has cut electricity use by 23 percent and saved taxpayers some $60 million over the past three years," Granholm said in her speech.  "How did we do it? We installed energy saving light bulbs from Michigan companies in Troy and Detroit.  We used Michigan-made heating and air-conditioning equipment from Michigan-based companies in Kalamazoo and Three Rivers.  Michigan workers have caulked windows, blow insulation, and installed energy-saving devices.  Saving Michigan money, creating Michigan jobs.  If state government can do this, you can too."

Larry Daugherty, president of Armstrong's Hot Water Group, said the company had done a lot of work at state facilities, primarily institutions of higher learning and in particular Western Michigan University.

One of the company's energy-saving products is the Flo-Direct, which through a direct heating system makes hot water with near 100-percent efficiency.  It also reduces carbon emissions by 50 percent.

Armstrong had invited Granholm to visit during the open house for their building expansion in November, however, at the last minute she was called away to meet with the then-President-Elect Barack Obama.

"We wanted to show her our Flo-Direct, and we wanted to show her our building heat system," Daugherty said.  "Many state and private facilities could utilize this system, and there would be less consumption of energy statewide."

Last March, Armstrong added "sustainability" as the eighth on its list of strategies that begin with "S".  But their commitment to those principles goes back to the beginning of the company in 1900.

"We've been a green company forever," Daugherty said, pointing out that Armstrong was making efficient products even before saving energy became popular in the 1970s.

To learn more about Armstrong's sustainability initiatives, visit our Sustainability Solutions area.