Many companies claim their material handling equipment is "green." But rarely do companies commit to the kind of environmental principles embraced by this New Jersey-based manufacturer. Many companies in our business claim that their equipment is "green," in that it saves energy or is manufactured with earth-friendly practices. But rarely do companies commit to the kind of environmental principles that Opex Corp. has. I had the opportunity to tour Opex’s operations in Moorestown, N.J., to see for myself why this company is considered a leader in green manufacturing. For most of its 40-year history, Opex has been a maker of mailroom sorting systems. A few years ago, it also moved into the material handling space with the introduction of Perfect Pick, a goods-to-person order fulfillment system. While these systems are designed to save energy and boost productivity, Opex’s commitment to the environment goes far beyond making efficient products. For example, Opex is a net-zero manufacturer, meaning that it produces all of the electricity needed to power its offices and three plants. The electricity is generated via a three-acre solar farm and by rooftop collectors at the Moorestown campus—approximately 9,000 solar panels in all. The system produces more than 2.7 megawatts of electricity annually and puts surplus electricity back into the grid. To make that power go as far as possible, Opex has installed energy-sipping LED lighting fixtures in its offices, plants, and parking lots. The company also encourages employees to drive green cars. To that end, it has installed free charging stations for electric vehicles in prime parking spots. Opex also has its own onsite wells, which can produce 35,000 gallons daily for irrigating its grounds. Watering its 25 acres is done in the evenings to reduce evaporation. Rain and runoff water then drip back through the soil to […]