Awards
Over the years, McWane’s pursuit of perfection has led to consistent and positive recognition. Whether this acknowledgement comes in the form of a major award or a simple letter of thanks, we’re proud to display it below.
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VPP Star Site
Tyler Coupling was approved by OSHA as a VPP Star Site and the first-ever VPP site in Marshfield, Missouri.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration - VPP
Seven McWane plants have been admitted into OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), a program that recognizes exemplary health and safety programs, and that fewer than 1% of all US workplaces attain. No other company in the waterworks foundry industry has a single plant in the VPP program.
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ISO 14001:2004
In 2009, Tyler Coupling received ISO 14001:2004 certification.
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2009 Green Business Leader of the Year
The Birmingham Business Journal honored McWane President G. Ruffner Page, Jr. as its “Green Business Leader of the Year” in 2009.
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ISHN 2011 Power 101
Barb Wisniewski, VP of Safety & Health was included in the Industrial Safety and Health News 2011 Power 101 list, which is reserved for movers and shakers in health and safety.
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Prestigious Member Award
In 2007 McWane Inc. was awarded the Prestigious Member Award by the National Safety Council.
Awards By Division
Plumbing
Fire Suppression
Valve and Hydrant
Waterworks Fittings
McWane Technology
Pressure Vessels
Voluntary Protection Program
Holding true to Mr. McWane’s philosophy, our outstanding safety team, under the leadership of Vice President Mickey Hannum , has propelled our company to industry-leading safety performance. We all share the motto “Do it Safely, or Not at All!”
As McWane, Inc. continues to emphasize safety and health, we are actively participating in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's VPP. The program emphasis a cooperative relationship with management, labor and OSHA while working to implement comprehensive safety and health management systems.
Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health programs. "The VPP designation indicates a true commitment from management and team members in working together, with everyone taking personal responsibility for safety and health," said Barbara Wisniewski, Vice President of Health and Safety, McWane. Inc.
There are two types of OSHA VPP designations. VPP Merit sites are those with cooperative management and union relationships exhibiting exemplary health and safety programs, but whose injury rates are not yet consistently below industry averages. VPP Star sites have exemplary health and safety programs, cooperative partnerships and have consistently demonstrated injury rates below the industry averages.
McWane facilities that have been recognized as VPP sites to date are:
- Clow Valve Metal Casting Facility (Oskaloosa, Iowa) — VPP Star
- McWane Ductile (Coshocton, Ohio) — VPP Star
- Manchester Tank (Elkhart, Indiana) — VPP Star
- McWane Ductile (Provo, Utah) — VPP Star
- Tyler Pipe (Marshfield, Missouri) — VPP Star
- McWane Ductile (Phillipsburg, New Jersey) - VPP Merit
- Amerex (Trussville, Alabama) - VPP Star
Voluntary Protection Program
Our own Andy Boise, a melting foreman at McWane Ductile Ohio, composed lyrics and music to create a VPP Song, Everyone Goes Home From Here.

Screaming Eagle Award: McWane EHS Excellence
- 2018 - M&H Valve Company
- 2017 - Kennedy Valve
- 2016 - McWane Ductile, Utah
- 2015 - Tyler Coupling
- 2014 - McWane Ductile, Utah
- 2012 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2011 - Tyler Coupling
- 2010 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Elkhart
- 2009 - Clow Water
- 2008 - Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2007 - M&H Valve
- 2006 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Petersburg
- 2005 - Tyler Pipe
- 2004 - Amerex
This is a joint award for Environmental and Safety & Health Excellence. The top three performers in the Outstanding HS Performance award are submitted to the Environmental Group, who also determines their top three performing facilities. From this list of top contenders, the facility with the overall best EHS performance in the company is selected for the award.
Outstanding HS Performance
- 2018 - Tyler Coupling
- 2017 - McWane Ductile, New Jersey
- 2016 - Amerex
- 2015 - Tyler Coupling
- 2014 - McWane Ductile, Ohio
- 2013 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Elkhart
- 2012 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2011 - Amerex
- 2010 - Clow Water
This award is given to the one facility who has the best overall HS by looking at 11 distinctive categories. The categories which are evaluated are: (plaque awarded)
- OSHA complaints or citations
- Review of Health & Safety Procedures
- Completion of corrective actions
- Accuracy of OSHA 300 log recording of injuries/illnesses
- Corporate audit performance
- Participation in HS initiatives
- Effectiveness of HS system management reviews
- Qualifications of HS staff
- Other HS awards received by facility
- Significant incidents
- Effectiveness of injury reduction plans
Outstanding Environmental Performance — Foundry and Fabrication
Foundry Winners
- 2018 - M&H Valve
- 2017 - Kennedy Valve
- 2016 - McWane Ductile, Ohio and Kennedy Valve
- 2015 - AB&I Foundry
- 2015 - Clow Valve
- 2014 - Kennedy Valve Company
- 2013 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2012 - Clow Valve
- 2011 - Clow Valve
- 2010 - Bibby Ste Croix (Founderie LaPerle)
- 2009 - M&H Valve
- 2008 - Clow Water
- 2007 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2006 - Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2005 - Tyler Pipe
- 2004 - Clow Valve
Fabrication Winners
- 2018 - Clow Canada
- 2017 - Amerex
- 2016 - Manchester Tank, Quincy
- 2015 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Crossville
- 2014 - Clow Canada
- 2013 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Bedford
- 2012 - Amerex
- 2011 - Amerex/Manchester Tank & Equipment, Elkhart
- 2010 - Tyler Coupling/Clow Canada
- 2009 - Tyler Coupling/Manchester Tank & Equipment, Elkhart
- 2008 - Clow Canada
- 2007 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Bedford
- 2006 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Bedford
- 2005 - Amerex
- 2004 - Amerex
The following factors are considered in the selection process for the current calendar year:
- Environmental Audit grade
- Environmental implementation — configuration, training and use
- McWane EHS MS implementation (environmental portion)
- Diligence in addressing audit and other corrective actions
- Demonstrated senior management commitment to environmental excellence
- Relationship with regulators (local, state and federal)
- Amount and quality of resources applied to environmental management
- Receptiveness to and participation in company-wide environmental initiatives
- Innovative ideas and solutions on environmental matters
Exemplary Environmental Achievement
- 2018 - McWane Ductile for significantly expanding the use of Electronic Inspections Forms to perform and document EHS inspections.
- 2018 - Tyler Xianxian for being designated as an “A-Foundry” by the Environmental Protection Bureau in recognition of their state-of-the-art pollution controls.
This is a new award category introduced in 2018 and is presented to recognize a noteworthy achievement in furtherance of McWane’s industry leading EHS performance.
Outstanding Environmental Progress — Foundry and Fabrication
Foundry Winners
- 2017 - Bibby Ste Croix
- 2016 - Tyler Union Foundry
- 2015 - Tyler Xianxian
- 2013 - AB&I Foundry
- 2013 - Tyler Union Foundry
- 2012 - Tyler XianXian
- 2011 - Union Foundry
- 2010 - Kennedy Valve
- 2009 - Bibby Ste Croix (Founderie LaPerle)
- 2008 - McWane Pipe
- 2007 - M&H Valve
- 2006 - Bibby Ste Croix
- 2005 - McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2004 - Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company
Fabrication Winners
- 2018 - MTE Cemcogas
- 2017 - Anaco and Clow Corona
- 2016 - The Solberg Company
- 2013 - The Solberg Company
- 2012 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Crossville
- 2011 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Echuca
- 2010 - None
- 2009 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Crossville
- 2008 - Anaco/Clow Corona
- 2007 - Clow Canada
- 2006 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Bedford
- 2005 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Crossville
- 2004 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Petersburg
The following factors are considered in the selection process for the current calendar year using the previous calendar year as the baseline:
- Progress on successful completion of audit and other corrective actions
- Improvements in overall compliance status
- Improvements in relationship with regulators (local, state and federal)
- Changes in quality and amount of resources applied to environmental management
Quartile Club
Foundry Winners
- 2018 - Tyler Union; M&H Valve Company; Tyler Coupling; Clow Corona; McWane India Private Limited; and McWane Gulf
- 2017 - M&H Valve Company, Tyler Union, Clow Valve, McWane Ductile, New Jersey
This award is given to facilities whose year-end recordable injury rates are in the top 25% of their industry. The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) is determined by taking the number of incidents occurred in a year’s period which require medical treatment, restricted work activity, or lost time and multiplying that by 200,000 and dividing by the total number of hours worked at the facility during the year
Most Improved TRIR Rate — Foundry and Fabrication
Foundry Winners
- 2016 - Kennedy Valve
- 2015 - McWane Ductile, New Jersey
- 2014 - M&H Valve Company
- 2013 - AB&I Foundry
- 2012 - Tyler Union
- 2011 - Kennedy Valve
- 2010 - AB&I Foundry
- 2009 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2008 - Clow Valve
- 2007 - M&H Valve
- 2006 - Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2005 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
- 2004 - Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
Fabrication Winners
- 2016 - Amerex
- 2015 - Anaco
- 2014 - Clow Canada
- 2013 - Tyler Coupling
- 2012 - Anaco
- 2011 - Tyler Coupling
- 2010 - Clow Corona
- 2009 - Tyler Coupling
- 2008 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Elkhart
- 2007 - Clow Corona
- 2006 - Clow Canada
- 2005 - Tyler Coupling
- 2004 - Manchester Tank & Equipment, Petersburg
The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) is determined by taking the number of incidents occurred in a year’s period which require medical treatment, restricted work activity, or lost time and multiplying that by 200,000 and dividing by the total number of hours worked at the facility during the year. The Most Improved TRIR Rate is determined by calculating at year end, the TRIR rate for each of our foundries and looking at the percent improvement when compared to their previous year end TRIR. The facility with the greatest percentage of improvement from the previous year is given the award.
The same process as noted above is done for all other facilities which are not considered a foundry and the award is given for the most improved over their previous year’s rate.
McWane Ergo Cup
The McWane Ergo Cup competition is held annually. The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to reduce and prevent work place injuries … it is not an impossible mission.
The commitment to safety shown by our team members, on behalf of each other and McWane, is inspiring.
Barb Wisniewski
Teams from McWane facilities around the country present ergonomic-related projects they have implemented within the last 24 months to a panel of health and safety experts. Each project is aimed at reducing injuries, while improving workplace efficiency and transforming processes to best fit the needs of our team members.
“The commitment to safety shown by our team members, on behalf of each other and McWane, is inspiring,” said Barb Wisniewski, Vice President Health and Safety. “This is a perfect example of the McWane Way in action."
Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. This emphasizes the implementation of industry and task-specific guidelines for reducing and preventing workplace musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries.
Each year, every project is judged on measurable outcomes such as return on investment, quantified reduction of injury and reduced workers' compensation costs, among other factors. The successes from these projects are then implemented at other McWane facilities with similar operations to further reduce injury risks company wide.
Good luck to our team members!
2019 Ergo Cup Winners
- Most Ourstanding Project, First Place: Clow Valve Company, Oskaloosa, Iowa - Brass Pattern Rotisserie
Clow Valve designed an ergonomically friendly device to eliminte the manual lifting and turning of brass patterns by implementing a mechanical rotisserie device. - 1st Place Runner Up: Tyler Coupling, Marshfield, Missouri - Eyeletter Designer
Tyler Coupling automated the eyeleting process which reduced the competitive movements needed by the operator per cycle and reduced the strain on the operator's hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders. It also decreased the cycle time needed to produce the produce and increase throughput of finished product. - Best Risk Reduction Bibby Ste. Croix, Quebec, Canada - Kloster Motorization Conveyor
Bibby Ste. Croix motorized every section of the Kloster conveyor and added a safety detection system to prevent boards weighing 1,000 lbs from falling. - Best Innovation Project: Kennedy Valve Company, Elmira, New York - Furnace Innoculates
Kennedy Valve came up with a bulk system to dispense innoculates, carbon, and 75% silica onto the scale which eliminated the lifting, bending, twisting, and shoveling by team members.
Past Ergo Cup Winners
2018 Winners
- First Place: Clow Valve Machine Shop, Oskaloosa, Iowa - Flange Rotator
- 1st Runner Up: Kennedy Valve Company, Elmira, New York - Ladle Guard
- Best Risk Reduction (representing the highest overall risk reduction): M&H Valve, Anniston, Alabama - Wedge Coat Hook Cleaning
- Best Innovation (representing the most innovative project): Manchester Tank, Elkhart, Indiana - Rotary Brush Cleaning
2017 Winners
- First Place: Bibby Ste-Croix, Sainte Croix, Quebec, Canada - Ladle Demolding Station
- 1st Runner Up: Tyler Pipe & Coupling, Marshfield, Missouri - Injection Mold Extruder Tip Puller
- Best Risk Reduction (representing the highest overall risk reduction): Anaco, Corona, California - "No More" Manual Loading of Feed Bins on the Threader Machines
- Best Innovation (representing the most innovative project): McWane Ductile Ohio, Coshocton, Ohio - Sure Stop Gasket Removal
2016 Winners
- First Place: Tyler Pipe & Coupling, Marshfield, Missouri - Gasket Conveyor Project
- 1st Runner Up: Clow Valve Company, Oskaloosa, Iowa - Punch Press Stem Conversion
- Best Risk Reduction (representing the highest overall risk reduction): Amerex, Trussville, Alabama - Valve Install
- Best Innovation (representing the most innovative project): Tyler Union Foundry, Anniston, Alabama - Tuff Grip Pattern Core Modifications
2015 Winners
- First Place: Clow Valve Company, Oskaloosa, Iowa & Corona, California
- 1st Runner Up: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Quincy Illinois
- Best Risk Reduction Award: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Elkhart, Indiana
- Best Innovation Award: Amerex, Trussville, Alabama
2014 Winners
- First Place: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Quincy, Illinois
- 1st Runner Up: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Elkhart, Indiana
- Best Risk Reduction Award: Bibby-Ste-Croix
- Best Innovation Award: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Bedford, Indiana
2013 Winners
- First Place: Manchester Tank and Equipment, Elkhart, Indiana
- Second Place: Manchester Tank and Equipment, Qunicy, Illinois
- Third Place: Tyler Coupling
2012 Winners
- First Place: Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company, Provo, Utah
- Second Place: Clow Valve Company, Oskaloosa, Iowa
- Third Place: Amerex, Trussville, Alabama
2011 Winners
- First Place: Union Foundry Company, Anniston, Alabama
- Second Place: Clow Water Systems, Coshocton, Ohio
- Third Place: Clow Valve Company, Oskaloosa, Iowa
2010 Winners
- First Place: Amerex, Trussville, Alabama
- Second Place: Clow Water Systems, Coshocton, Ohio
- Third Place: M&H Valve Company, Anniston, Alabama
Pollution Prevention Challenge
The Art of Preventing Pollution Before it Begins
The best way to deal with pollution is to prevent it from being created in the first place. This means finding new efficiencies, doing things smarter and valuing every resource.
Each December, the McWane Pollution Prevention Challenge (P2C) contest brings together teams from across the McWane family of companies to have their ideas judged for innovation, simplicity, cost savings, and environmental benefits. Since the inaugural competition in 2011, those ideas have generated more than $19 million in company wide savings.
The P2C competition has changed the way we think, and has served as the hallmark of our efforts toward sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Pollution Prevention Winners
2019
- First place: M&H Valve
Pattern Changes - Second place: Clow Canada
Plastic Reduction - Third place (tie): McWane Ductile - Utah
Special Linings Shot Reuse - Third Place (tie): McWane Ductile - Utah
Test Press Pad (Bell Blocks) - "Why Didn't I Think of That" Award: McWane Ductile - Ohio
Blackening Tank Reduction - Energy Efficiency (E2) Award: Clow Valve
Iron Melt Reductions
2018
- First place: AB&I Foundry
Innovative use of cupola as an oxidation device - Second place: Tyler Union
Sand reclamation enhancements - Third place (tie): M&H Valve Company
Replaced sand pig molds with castable pig molds - Third Place (tie): McWane Ductile - Ohio
ISO core machine waste sand reduction - "Why Didn't I Think of That" Award: Anaco/Clow Corona
Non-RCRA Hazardous Waste Bulk Management - Energy Efficiency (E2) Award: Kennedy Valve Company
Dust collection solutions with better pulse valve technology
2017
- First place: McWane Ductile - Ohio
Cupola Bottom Drop - Second place: Amerex
Compressed Air Monitoring - Third place: McWane Ductile - Utah
Bundling Station Paint Mats - "Why Didn't I Think Of That" Award:
Manchester Tank Elkhart - Dry Lubricant Reduction
McWane Ductile - Utah - Wood Dunnage Reduction
2016
- First place: McWane Ductile - Utah
Refractory Consolidation and Controls - Second place: McWane Ductile - Ohio
Reduction of Casting Trough Coating - Third place: Kennedy Valve Company
Core Oven Heat Curtains - "Why Didn't I Think Of That" Award:
Amerex - Reduction of Waste Caused by Spent Rugs
McWane Ductile - Utah - Cupola Spout Refractory Conservation
Clow Canada - D67M Elbow Casting Material Reduction
2015
- First place: Clow Valve
Low Lead Brass - Second place: McWane Ductile - Utah
Waste Sand Cement Reuse - Third place: Manchester Tank & Equipment - Quincy
P2 Projects - "Why Didn't I Think Of That" Award:
Amerex - Reusable Bin Systems
Kennedy Valve - Heat Recovery
2014
- First place: Clow Canada
Pattern Modification - Second place: Amerex
Dry Paint Racks - Third place (tie):
Manchester Tank & Equipment - Elkhart
Heat Recovery - Pacific States
Finishing-Cement Line Water Reduction - "Why Didn't I Think of That?" Award:
Pacific States - Melting-Coke Breeze
Clow Canada - Passivation Improvements
2013
- First place: Pacific States
Lime Reduction - Second place: AB&I
Dropout Coke Injector - Third place: Manchester Tank, Bedford
Raw Material Reduction Hot Oil Tank - “Why Didn’t I Think of It?” Award Winners:
Kennedy Valve - Stormwater Improvements
Clow Valve, Oskaloosa - TGIC Reclaim Expansion
Manchester Tank, Elkhart - Round Seam Flux Elimination
2012
- First place: Atlantic States
Bell and Spigot Plugs - Second place: Clow Valve
Elimination of Cooling Water - Third place: Kennedy Valve
Lighting System Upgrade - “Why Didn’t I Think of It?” Award Winners:
Clow Canada — VOC Reduction
Atlantic States — Pipe Bundling and Strapping
Clow Valve — Rubber Ink Stamp
2011
- First place: MTE Elkhart
Product Packaging Reduction/Recycling/Reuse — Local Delivery - Second place: M&H Valve
Trash
ISO & State Certifications
McWane’s EMS is based on the principles of ISO 14001 and EPA’s Compliance Focused EMS, and all McWane manufacturing facilities are required to implement the EMS.
While it is not a McWane requirement, some McWane facilities have elected to seek ISO 14001 registration and/or equivalent recognition from their state environmental agencies (see below). Obtaining these registrations has been a simple process since the McWane EMS meets and, in many cases, exceeds the criteria for ISO 14001 and equivalent state registration.
ISO 14001 Registered Facilities
- Amerex, Alabama
- Bibby Ste-Croix, Quebec, Canada
- Clow Canada, New Brunswick, Canada
- Foundries LaPerle, Quebec, Canada
- Kennedy Valve, Elmira, New York
- Tyler Coupling, Missouri
- Tyler Xianxian, China
Indiana Stewardship Program
- Manchester Tank& Equipment, Bedford, Indiana
- Manchester Tank & Equipment, Elkhart, Indiana
Associations
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Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA)
The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) was founded to provide accurate, reliable engineering information about Cast Iron -- and now Ductile Iron -- pipe to a wide variety of utility and consulting engineers.
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The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI)
The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute was organized in 1949 by the leading American manufacturers of cast iron soil pipe and fittings. The Institute is dedicated to aiding and improving the plumbing industry.
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The American Foundry Society (AFS)
The American Foundry Society exists to provide and promote knowledge and services that strengthen the industry. The American Foundry Society exists to provide and promote knowledge and services that strengthen the metalcasting industry.
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The American Water Works Association (AWWA)
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community.
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The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
The National Propane Gas Association is the national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry.
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The National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED)
The National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors was established in 1963 with the mission of continuously improving the economic environment, business performance, and technical competence in the fire protection industry.
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Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA)
The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association is the leading organization dedicated to cooperative occupational safety, health and environmental management systems. The VPPPA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is a member-based association, providing a network of over 1,600 companies and worksites that are involved in or in the process of applying to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) or the Department of Energy's (DOE) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and other government agencies that are developing or implementing cooperative recognition programs.
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National Safety Council (NSC)
The National Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit, charitable, international public service organization dedicated to educating and influencing people to prevent accidental injuries and deaths. The NSC was founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953 and is the only organization promoting safety in the workplace, in transportation, and in homes and communities. The NSC serves as the nation's leading resource on industry trends, professional development, and strategies for advancing safety and health programs and practices.
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U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System".
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South Regions Minority Business Council (SRMBC)
The South Regions Minority Business Council was established in 1983 and is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The SRMBC's mission is to expand business opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and create mutually beneficial links between Corporate Members and MBEs.
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Established in 1896, NFPA is the world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety. The NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.