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Union Pacific Acquires 60 Environmental Locomotives

Union Pacific Railroad announced it has signed a contract with National Railway Equipment Co. to build 60 environmentally responsible low-emission diesel locomotives for use in its Los Angeles Basin rail yards. The new 2,100-horsepower locomotives are called “Generator-Set,” or “Gen-Set,” switchers. Each locomotive is powered by three 700-horsepower low-emissions U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) non-road Tier 3-certified diesel engines projected to reduce emissions of both nitrous oxides and particulate matter by up to 80 percent, while using as much as 40 percent less fuel compared to current low-horsepower locomotives. Union Pacific began studies and tests of the proto-type Gen-Set switcher locomotive in 2002. Union Pacific will receive 30 of the new low-horsepower locomotives in 2006, with the remaining 30 to be delivered in 2007. These new locomotives will be used to serve customers and sort rail cars for outbound trains. Currently, about 47 percent of Union Pacific’s more than 8,200-unit locomotive fleet is certified under existing EPA Tier 0, Tier 1 or Tier 2 regulations which govern air emissions. That gives Union Pacific the most environmentally friendly locomotive fleet in the nation. It is anticipated that these locomotives will receive California Air Resources Board (CARB) recognition as Ultra-Low Emitting […]

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Zoltek Reports Strong Growth in Q1

Zoltek Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZOLT), manufacturer of carbon fiber used in wind turbines and other applications, reported continued strong growth in the first quarter of its 2006 fiscal year, combined with improved operating results. For the quarter ended December 31, 2005, Zoltek’s net sales increased 36.6% to $16.7 million from $12.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. Zoltek reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $880,000, including approximately $460,000 in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance charges, compared with a $1.4 million operating loss in the comparable period in fiscal year 2005. “We are pleased to report that the increased sales and improved financial performance are largely due to the performance of the Abilene plant after we made the necessary management changes that we previously reported,” Zsolt Rumy, Zoltek’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said. “Our sales are still constrained by our carbon fibers capacity utilization, which will continue to improve during subsequent quarters. We are also adding substantial new capacity during the remainder of this fiscal year and beyond. “We are especially pleased to report that in the quarter ending December 31, 2005 the Carbon Fiber Business Unit’s operating profit was $413,000 compared with a $1.6 million loss in the […]

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Caraustar Reports Lower Q4, 2005 Results

Caraustar Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSAR), a recycled packaging company, reported lower sales for the fourth quarter – $211 million compared to $211.7 million for the same quarter in 2004. Loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $35.6 million, or $1.24 per share, compared to 2004 fourth quarter net income from continuing operations of $8.4 million, or $0.29 per share. The $52.8 million decline in pre-tax operating results was primarily attributable to higher restructuring and impairment costs, higher energy and freight costs, partially offset by lower fiber costs and a $1.1 million increase in equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates. Mill volume, excluding joint ventures and discontinued operations, for the fourth quarter of 2005 decreased approximately 2.6 thousand tons compared to the same quarter last year, as demand was relatively comparable across all paperboard grades. Gypsum facing paper at the company’s 50-percent owned unconsolidated Premier Boxboard Limited LLC (PBL) joint venture increased in volume by 22.5 percent over fourth quarter 2004. Year ended December 31, 2005 For the year ended December 31, 2005, sales from continuing operations were $862.4 million, a decrease of 1.0 percent from sales of $871.5 million in 2004. Loss per share from continuing […]

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Tom's of Maine Moves to 100% Renewable Wind Energy

Tom’s of Maine, a leading maker of natural personal care products, announced that its manufacturing and fulfillment facility has moved to 100% wind energy. “One of our central beliefs is that Tom’s of Maine can be financially successful while behaving in a socially responsible and environmentally sensitive manner,” said CEO & Co-Founder Tom Chappell. As of January 31, 2006, the energy procured for Tom’s of Maine 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Sanford, Maine will be generated by the Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility in Nebraska. The 100% Wind Renewable Energy Certificate product is certified by the Green-e certification program administered by the Center for Resource Solutions. Tom’s is purchasing 130,000 kilowatt hours of energy per month or approximately 1,150 Megawatts per year of renewable energy certificates from the wind farm. Founded in Kennebunk, Maine, by Tom and Kate Chappell in 1970, Tom’s of Maine creates personal care products using simple, natural ingredients derived from plants and minerals. Tom’s of Maine products — toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, deodorant, and soap — do not contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, flavors, or animal ingredients; are tested for safety and efficacy without the use of animals; are biodegradable; and use environmentally responsible packaging. Clean Air-Cool […]

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