Earth Day Every Day

In today’s social and economic climate, it’s impossible to do business without considering how your organization is impacting the environment. In 1970, when Earth Day originated in the United States, that was not the case. Earth Day went international in 1990, with organized events in 141 countries, and the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day in 2009.

Despite the global influence of Earth Day, the majority of media coverage focuses on cool consumer promotions, like Starbucks’ free coffee in your travel mug or the Lowe’s million tree giveaway.  While we won’t be giving out free custom battery pack solutions today, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to share our company’s green products and sustainability practices.

Palladium’s core technology – lithium-based chemistries for battery packs – is considered green and “safe for disposal” by the Environmental Protection Agency.  In addition, where applicable, Palladium uses low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) or low smoke free halogen cable jacketing, thereby reducing toxic material release into the environment.

When it comes to recycling and waste reduction, Palladium uses Six-Sigma analysis techniques of paper use, production waste and scrap generation across its facilities.  Complemented by employee recycling programs and conservation training, Palladium reduced plant waste by 14% over the course of a year.

Because Palladium stays abreast of the newest technologies and is entrenched in emerging markets – including green power, the world’s largest smart meter manufacturers turn to us for independent and back-up power solutions in smart grids. The two-way, real-time communication of the smart meters and grids allows people and systems to adjust to changing conditions, increasing energy efficiency.

Palladium has also lowered its carbon footprint by:

• Installing voice activated room and hallway lighting
• Improving climate control at plants by using air cleaners and installing curtains and partitions between climate controlled and non-climate controlled rooms
• Operating heavy power consuming devices, such as air compressors, only during production periods or non-peak hours

Combined, these measures have reduced energy consumption by more than 10% across Palladium’s global operations. Palladium will continue to invest heavily in smart energy solutions, and reduce its environmental impact.

How do you Earth Day?

–Rebecca Kritzman, Director of Marketing

A conversation with our new CEO, Arthur W. Salyer

On April 7, Palladium Energy named Arthur (Art) W. Salyer as our company’s new chief executive officer and president. I sat down with Art to talk about his vision for Palladium’s future growth.

For the past two years, you’ve served as Palladium’s vice president of global operations, chief operating officer and then president.  How has Palladium grown during that time?

We have been fortunate to have great customers that have allowed us to have double digit growth…even in a tough economy.  We have also added some stellar new people to most all of our key functions to enhance the great people already with us. We have become much more customer focused. We have also established and are really making progress on our corporate values.

Palladium has seven worldwide locations including USA, China, Brazil, Korea, India, Sweden and Taiwan.  What is your travel schedule and what do you enjoy most about working for a global company?

Always on-the-go, Art was recently on-hand to help celebrate the one-year anniversary of Palladium's Shanghai plant.

My real office is seat 15A on American Airlines.  I believe it is important for the senior leader to spend plenty of face time with business stakeholders: customers, suppliers, our people and our investors. I like the blending of local business culture—combining the best geographic attributes with global best practices.  I also enjoy the cultures around the world. I am big fan of museums and local music.

What changes can our customers and employees expect under your leadership?

Better customer service and a focus on customer solutions. Our people can expect, a values driven organization that has fun.

What do you think sets Palladium apart from other battery pack manufacturers, making us an industry leader?

We put safety and reliability absolutely first—we live for that.  We also always deliver creative technology and engineering solutions for customers.  Finally, we have a goal not just to satisfy customers…we want to delight them.

What are the top three goals you’d like to tackle as CEO and president?

1. I would like to see our growth continue at a double digit rate.

2. I want Palladium to be an employer of choice for our industry and size.  I want people to want to come and join our team.

3. I would like to double the number of customers we have worldwide.

What is the one battery powered device that you couldn’t go a day without?

There are two devices that I love:

1. My MiFi unit by Novatel/Virgin.

2. I also could not live without my Barnes and Noble Nook e-book reader.

It’s a bonus that they are both powered by Palladium Energy batteries!

Finally, when you aren’t leading our business operations, what do you enjoy doing?

I have 3 children that I enjoy every day…I am a quintessential family man.   I am a pilot and own a very old airplane.  Finally, if it is in or on top of the ocean…I am excited.

–Rebecca Kritzman, director of marketing

Travel Tales: Palladium Energy’s Battery Pack and AC Adapter Facility in Manaus, Brazil

Palladium Energy Facility Manaus, Brazil

Last week, Tom Larsen, strategic marketing manager, and I were fortunate enough to make a week-long trip to our manufacturing facility in Manaus, Brazil—built in 2007.

The flight down was fairly easy—only six and a half hours total—and what a beautiful country. When the clouds broke and I could see land—WOW—what an amazing sight! The Amazon wrapped by the deep green jungle was absolutely, well, amazing. I knew I was not in the U.S. anymore!

Brazil Operations, Sales & Marketing

So, why were we there? Due to the laws, tariffs and other regulations, our Brazil business is inherently different than the rest of our global business. Plus, we manufacture other power solutions in Brazil besides just battery packs (unlike our Shanghai and U.S. facilities).

Rebecca, photo assistant and Tom

Since we documented our Shanghai facility in early March 2011, it was time to capture (via still photography) our state-of-the-art Brazil facility and the processes within for manufacturing battery packs, AC Adapters and PCB’s as well as spend some quality time with the operations and sales teams. Some highlights include:

• Capturing our Unique Battery Pack Manufacturing Processes: In Brazil, we have more automated battery pack manufacturing processes—including a proprietary laser labeling process—so cool!

• AC Adapters: Palladium’s AC Adapter process is absolutely mind-blowing. With so many pieces and parts to assemble as part of the overall electrical system of the AC Adapter, so much precision is needed—and we check for quality every step of the way.

• PCBs: With over five SMT lines and plan to add a sixth line this year, our PCB assembly process is all automated and designed for extreme accuracy. All PCB’s are used in the AC Adapters and battery packs we manufacture in Brazil.

From L to R: Proprietary battery pack laser labeling system; QC in AC Adapter assembly line; PCB manufacturing on automated SMT line

After eating way too much Brazilian BBQ (all red meat—think Fogo de Chao in the U.S.), it was time to leave.  It was a great trip and we stayed in basically the same time zone—easy on the body clock! It will be so great to have the photos needed to give our Brazil facility the proper highlighting it deserves.

– Rebecca Kritzman, director of marketing