Washington Manufacturing Awards 2014: Food Processor of the Year (Large Firms)

WINNER

Darigold

Seattle | darigold.com

Consumers know Darigold from the array of products on grocery shelves. Its also a huge processor and exporter of powdered milk and related products to places as far afield as Asia and Africa. But the producers cooperative has devoted considerable effort to improving how it makes those products and gets them to stores. Darigold has committed to a 2.5 percent yearly reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and energy use, accomplished through upgrading lighting, installing insulation, fixing leaks and improving compressors, pumps, heaters, dryers and motors. Result: a companywide reduction in CO2 use of 5.3 percent last year alone. Water, wastewater, waste materials and recycling are getting the same attention. Darigold even ended the need for 71 trucks and trailers by eliminating empty back-haul miles and making other improvements.