News & Events

Energy Star Partner of the Year, Second Year in a Row

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:05:04 GMT

VALLEY FORGE, PA, March 2, 2010 (Company News Release) - For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (http://www.epa.gov ) has named Saint-Gobain as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year (http://www.energystar.gov ) for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. No other manufacturer of glass containers or fiber glass insulation has ever received the Partner of the Year award. Through a wide range of energy-awareness programs, process improvements, and energy management practices in 2009, Saint-Gobain businesses in North America were able to reduce their energy intensity by 2.2 percent--equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make nearly 486 million glass bottles or enough fiber glass insulation for more than 100,000 typical U.S. homes. The company's energy-use reduction equated to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions released to the atmosphere of more than 70,000 tons last year. Saint-Gobain's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2010. "We're very proud of the contributions made by the employees throughout our organization which made this award possible," says Gilles Colas, General Delegate for Saint-Gobain in North America. "As the world leader in building materials, energy efficiency is central to our 'habitat' business strategy. This is demonstrated in our strong focus on sustainable development and environmental responsibility in the products we supply and in our manufacturing processes. The Partner of the Year Award underscores our commitment to limiting the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes and protecting the health of the communities where we live and work." "Saint-Gobain is leading the fight against climate change through greater energy efficiency," says Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "Saint-Gobain's robust energy management program is a model for others and affirms that energy efficiency is our most cost-effective climate strategy." The 2010 Partner of the Year Awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. About ENERGY STARENERGY STAR was introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov .

Norton Celebrates 125th Anniversary in 2010

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:34:25 GMT

Company News Release, WORCESTER, MA, January 15, 2010 – The 125th anniversary of the creation of Norton Company and the establishment of the company’s manufacturing operations in Worcester are being celebrated throughout this year, beginning next week with the placement of large, colorful banners through Saint-Gobain’s Greendale campus in Worcester. In 1885, seven Worcester entrepreneurs established Norton Emery Wheel Company to manufacture the world’s first grinding wheel. Originally made in a pottery shop, this grinding wheel was the first ceramic-bonded wheel to be precision-made and mass produced. It would eventually revolutionize the metalworking industry by replacing the metal cutting process with precision grinding. During the next century, the company changed it name to Norton Company and grew to become the world’s leading supplier of abrasives and high-performance materials. Saint-Gobain, itself a world leader, acquired the company in 1990 but retained the Norton brand name for many of its products sold throughout the world. Saint-Gobain’s headquarters offices for its worldwide abrasives business are still located in Worcester, exactly where Norton was founded 125 years ago. "This anniversary is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge our rich company history, and to show appreciation for what has come to be the world’s foremost abrasives brand," says Mark Rayfield, Vice President of Abrasives North America and Superabrasives Worldwide for Saint-Gobain. "For 125 years, Norton has been a vital part of the city of Worcester. While the company has evolved from a nineteenth century pottery shop to become a world leader in abrasives and high-performance materials, we have never forgotten where we came from, or the city that made it possible. This is also a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the many contributions associated with the Norton name in the abrasives, ceramics and plastics businesses throughout the world, and of course for thousands of employees associated with the company and brand over the past 125 years." A variety of activities to mark the anniversary are planned throughout the year, including a special employee celebration in June at the company’s Greendale campus.

Norton Diamond Tooling named as top product line

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:54:22 GMT

Saint-Gobain Abrasives' Norton Diamond Tooling product line has been named as one of the Top Products of 2009 by the readers of Concrete Contractor magazine. The Norton Diamond Tooling Products line features tools for both grinding and polishing concrete. "Every year, we run hundreds of products in Concrete Contractor," said Editor Rebecca Wasieleski. "This special recognition goes to the products that have drawn the most interest from the 29,000 concrete contractors that subscribe to our magazine." The Top Products of 2009 are featured in the August/September 2009 issue of Concrete Contractor and also in a special online gallery at www.concretecontractormag.com. Concrete Contractor delivers product news, business management tips and information on the latest trends and techniques to 29,000 concrete contractors throughout North America. Contact: Denise Linn, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, denise.m.linn@saint-gobain.com

Saint-Gobain Awarded Energy Star Partner of the Year

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:22:55 GMT

Saint-Gobain Awarded EPA’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Saint-Gobain as a 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year.

NEW! Newsletters

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:57:49 GMT

Premier issue of the Tool Talk e-newsletter. February 2008

Play It Safe at the Wheel - February 2008

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:28:26 GMT

Unsecured machines can move or fall over, causing injury. Secure your machines!

Play It Safe at the Wheel - January 2008

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:32:10 GMT

Mounting a diamond blade in the wrong direction can lead to segment loss!

Play It Safe at the Wheel – December 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:26:39 GMT

Users can become complacent about grinding wheel safety when they misleadingly refer to them as "rocks" or "stones".

Play It Safe at the Wheel – November 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:40:11 GMT

If you are grinding certain materials there may be a risk of fire and even of explosion.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – October 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:42:04 GMT

Safety guides to educate and reinforce basic abrasive safety rules included with grinding wheels.

New Product Bulletins!

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:12:46 GMT

Play It Safe at the Wheel – August 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:25:19 GMT

Can a used grinding wheel be moved from the original machine to another smaller machine?

Play It Safe at the Wheel – July 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:35:03 GMT

It is amazing, when a wheel breakage occurs, how often a customer blames the wheel first without checking the equipment.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – June 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:36:40 GMT

Grinding Wheel Maintenance– How often must I check the speed of a grinding machine?

Play It Safe at the Wheel – May 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:38:44 GMT

Tachometer: Checking machine speed improperly can be dangerous!

Play It Safe at the Wheel – April 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:22:45 GMT

How does an end-user turn a coated abrasive disc or grinding wheel disc into a donut? Misuse is the answer!

Play It Safe at the Wheel - February 2007

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:27:16 GMT

It is our continuing effort to increase the awareness of the hazards of improperly using grinding wheels, even when the products are not ours.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – December 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:26:00 GMT

This article serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with mounting an abrasive wheel on the wrong machine.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – November 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:39:32 GMT

ANSI's procedure for starting an abrasive wheel safely.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – October 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:40:54 GMT

Despite numerous articles discussing proper grinding wheel mounting to avoid breakages, we have received reports of end-users mounting portable abrasive cup wheels improperly. These improper mounting practices will eventually lead to wheel breakages. Learn the right way!

Play It Safe at the Wheel – September 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:42:46 GMT

As abrasive wheel producers have known for many years, most grinding wheel breakages and injuries are caused by one major oversight. That oversight is operating a grinding wheel in an over-speed condition. Read the September issue of Play It Safe at the Wheel for more information.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – August 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:23:29 GMT

Don't make an “ash” of yourself! Always guard or remove flammable materials during cutting or grinding operations.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – July 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:32:52 GMT

Save your breath! Minimize exposure to silica dust when grinding.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – June 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:35:47 GMT

Click here to find out more about another dangerous wheel/machine mismatch.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – May 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:38:00 GMT

It is doubtful a fiction writer could possibly imagine the events leading up to a recently reported accident. Clink on this link to find out more.

Clipper Price Increase

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:20:03 GMT

2008 Clipper Price Supplement (#7932) The new 2008 U.S. List Prices effective March 1, 2008.Contact your sales rep or a member of customer service for more info.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – April 2006

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:24:29 GMT

“Dress for Success” Getting back to basics in portable cup grinding wheel safety means dressing in the appropriate personal protection equipment.

Play It Safe at the Wheel – March 2006

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:37:19 GMT

Diamond saw blade technology has allowed us to produce steel core segmented blades that can cut some incredibly hard materials. These blades operate safely at very high speeds and under extremely harsh conditions. However, when improperly used, these blades can be damaged.

World of Concrete 2011

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:29:52 GMT

World of Concrete Las Vegas, NV Jan 18-21, 2011Come see us at Booth # C4865