TERRE HAUTE — Ozone can be both good and bad. Union Hospital Health Group has invested in the good kind, which has meant cost savings and being a friend of the environment.
The medical group’s effort was recognized Friday as Union Hospital was given the Environmentally-Friendly Business Award during the Briefcase Business Showcase Awards Ceremony.
The event at Ivy Tech Community College was hosted by the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.
Awhile back, officials from the health group traveled to Canada to visit Ozonator Industries. In February 2007, Union purchased and installed a device called the “Ozonator,” sterilization technology that converts oxygen into ozone to sterilize hospital waste, then converts the unused ozone back into oxygen.
Union was the first facility worldwide to purchase and use the device, said Doug Smith, director of material management for the health group.
“It has a shredder, which shreds the waste and puts it into a landfill bin, which is then taken to a landfill. It results in a 40 percent reduction in landfill trips. We were going six days a week, now we go once every four to five days,” Smith said of landfill visits.
“We are doing this with all of our waste, biomedical and regular trash. We are ensuring that nothing hazardous is going to the landfill,” Smith said.
The ozone device replaces an old hammermill, which shreds materials while using a bleach solution. The end waste is wet, which adds weight and expense for disposal in a landfill. Parts for the hammermill also were becoming difficult to find, Smith said, and the hospital had to pay a biomedical company to dispose of waste.
“We have made about 47 changes to the machine in a year. We knew it would be like that when we got it, to make some little adjustments, but it has worked out very well,” Smith said.
The device is made of stainless steel, with an expected lifespan of more than 20 years. The Ozonator is costly, about $1 million. “We are saving $288,000 a year in hauling and landfill costs. We are pretty sure in five years, it will pay for itself,” Smith said.
The Union group’s award was one of four given during the Briefcase Business Showcase ceremony.
The Terre Haute Bowling Center won the Small Business of the Year Award, which exemplifies the spirit of free enterprise, risk-taking, innovation and strengthening community spirit.
The bowling center was under water during the early-June floods of last year. The center’s owner, Gerald Modesitt, decided to reopen, restoring 40 lanes and approaches. The new lanes are synthetic, instead of wood, which is the surface predominantly used for Professional Bowling Association tournaments.
“It was 96 days of hell, but who’s counting,” THBC general manager Rick Braden joked upon accepting the award. “We rebuilt because the community has been great to us for over 32 years. Come visit us and come to where the good times roll.”
Marion Manufacturing, a West Terre Haute-based maker of precision machine and manufacturing components, won the Fastest-Growing Company Award, which recognizes a business with the largest percentage of growth in gross income over the previous fiscal year.
Tammy Marion, president of the company, said the business had $2.7 million in sales in 2007 and $3.6 million in 2008. “We have had 40 percent growth each year over the past five years,” Marion said.
Baesler’s Market won the Family-Friendly Business Award, which recognizes a commitment to employees by implementation family-friendly practices into everyday business activities.
Bob Baesler, the supermarket owner, said family is important and his wife, Julie, “is the backbone of the family-friendly atmosphere” at the Poplar Street store. Long a family-owned operation, Baesler’s often hires college workers, such as students from Indiana State University, providing them with flexible hours.
The awards were part of a Briefcase Business Expo, with at least 35 business showcasing their products and services. Three free business seminars also were conducted.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Business
Related Photos
-
Bob Poynter
-
Bob Poynter
Discussion
Four businesses honored during Briefcase Business Showcase ceremony
- Business
-
-
Projected Learning: Indiana State class teams with Delta Faucet for educational efforts
Indiana State University senior Candace Greubel scoured newsletter articles before her class forwarded its project to its eager audience, Delta Faucet Company employees.
-
Eight join Scott College of Business advisory board
Eight graduates from the past decade have recently joined the Scott College of Business’ Young Professionals Board at Indiana State University.
-
NEWSMAKERS: Feb. 12, 2012
* Edward Motley
* John Wilkinson
* Clabber Girl Corp.
-
BUSINESS CENTS: Is your company ready to become a franchise?
In the past few articles, we have discussed small business tax issues.
-
Mayor of Clinton to speak at Chamber luncheon
Clinton Mayor Jack Gilfoy will be the guest speaker at the February Luncheon Meeting of the Greater Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: A Valentine tip from Social Security
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, making this a popular time of year for proclamations of love.
-
Small businesses invited to enter ‘Push’ contest
The sixth annual Staples National Small Business Survey found that seven out of 10 small business owners are optimistic about the future.
-
MORTON MARCUS: Examining the vitality of the economy in local communities
Euturn Wright, the noted economic development specialist, was in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl extravaganza.
-
ON THE MOVE: Feb. 12, 2012
Big Red Liquors Inc., a leading wine, beer, and spirits merchant since 1972 with 25 retail locations throughout southern Indiana, has hired Don Rix, vice president for Marsh Supermarkets LLC with 32 years of experience in the grocery industry, as its new president.
-
Mike’s Carwash washes its 100,000,000th vehicle
Mike’s Carwash has recorded a significant milestone, washing its 100 millionth vehicle.
-
Look for random acts of kindness at mall
Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute will again celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 13-19.
-
Estate planning, wills topic of Lunch with a Lawyer program
Senior Education Ministries Inc. has scheduled Lunch with a Lawyer from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Wabash Senior Activity Center at 300 S. Fifth St. in Terre Haute.
-
Leslie leaving Terre Haute Chamber
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce today notified members that Rachel Leslie, Chamber executive vice president, has accepted a position as director of advancement operations for St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.
-
Toyota to increase Highlander output in Indiana
Toyota will increase production of the Highlander mid-size SUV in late 2013 at the company’s Princeton, Indiana plant. Hybrid and export versions will be included. The project is expected to create about 400 new jobs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc.
-
AT&T expands mobile broadband network
AT&T has expanded its mobile broadband network in several southwest Indiana communities, extending access for advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content to customers in the area.
-
ON THE MOVE: Feb. 5, 2012
• Debbie Dillow
• Vani Manyam
• Shabaz Gill
-
Nominate someone for HR Professional of the Year
Nominations are currently being sought for the 2012 Ogletree Deakins/HR Dimensions Human Resources Professional of the Year.
-
Time Warner offers new levels of Internet service
Time Warner Cable is expanding the next generation of Internet service to customers across the Midwest using DOCSIS 3 equipment and its advanced fiber network.
-
NEWSMAKERS: Feb. 5, 2012
Irving Haber at 1818 N. Third St. in Terre Haute announces that he is the first physician in the Wabash Valley to offer on-site digital imaging with the new Sonosite Sonogram machine.
-
First Financial Corp. reports 2011 results
First Financial Corporation announced results for the year and the quarter ended Dec. 31.
-
Terre Haute Chevrolet to incorporate new GM image elements
Terre Haute Chevrolet, a division of the Romain Automotive Group of Evansville, has announced a new look coming to the dealership in 2012.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security FAQ on disability
Question: I applied for disability benefits three months ago and still haven’t received an answer. How long does it take to get a decision?
-
MORTON MARCUS: State government increasingly decides how we live in our cities
The ongoing trend in state-local government relations in Indiana is increasing paternalism.
-
Innovative Staff Solutions offers job openings
Innovative Staff Solutions has more than 180 positions open and available right now.
-
Free career advancement workshop scheduled
University of Illinois Extension is hosting a free career advancement workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Marshall.
-
Verizon Wireless invests $159 million in Indiana
Verizon Wireless has invested $159 million in 2011 to enhance its network in Indiana, which includes the expansion of 4G LTE to 23 Hoosier cities, 10 major universities and four professional sporting venues.
-
Rose-Hulman Winter Career Fair experiences 37 percent gain in company attendance
The good times have returned for college job seekers in such technical fields as engineering and computer science.
-
Gordon Chiropractic celebrates grand opening of new location
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Gordon Chiropractic Family Health and Wellness celebrated the grand opening of its new location on Feb. 4.
-
Magnolia gives in on rezoning
A potential $20-million investment in Terre Haute’s east side has been blocked by public opposition.
-
Magnolia drops retirement complex plans for Ohio Boulevard
The company that had been hoping to build a new senior living complex along Ohio Boulevard has canceled its plans.
- More Business Headlines
-
Projected Learning: Indiana State class teams with Delta Faucet for educational efforts
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Sports Illustrated Cover Leaked
Swimmer makes surprise marriage proposal in Mo.
Whitney Houston Funeral Arrangements Set
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Bayne ready to defend 500
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
