Hellen Keller penned, “Ideas without action are useless,” as though those words were destined for the PEAK and URUS teams. Action is something our teams excel at.

Two years ago, the thought of installing solar energy was presented by URUS CEO Paul Hunt. Then, URUS Project Manager Quin Fenendael was tasked with finding the right location for this project, upon which he and members of the PEAK leadership team settled on our Watertown Production facility.

Today, 720 solar panels call Watertown, Wis., home thanks to the work of Quin, PEAK Production Support Manager Traci Sousek, who served as the project lead on this endeavor, Watertown Production Site Manger Steve Hopp and many others.

This was not an easy process. In Fall 2023, Traci worked with key stakeholders to submit grant and permit applications. Six months later in April of 2024, we received the exciting news that our grant was approved and the project could move forward! With Traci’s execution and ability to hold others accountable, a timeline was developed and maintained over the next several months of completing paperwork and the overall installation. Excitingly, the entire project remained within budget!

At the end of September, the solar panel project was completed and the grid has now started the energizing process. Once it is fully operational, the vendor estimates a 82-93% offset of our utility bill. With the various tax benefits and grants received, it is expected that this project will be in a position to be paid off within the first 1-2 years!

On October 9, PEAK held a small ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the project. Paul Hunt addressed the team, thanking them for their support in all URUS endeavors, as well as highlighting the importance and value of social responsibility for the organization. Michael Thalhimer, Director of Business for All Energy Solar, also spoke to the team briefly about the project and innovation that he sees within URUS entities. After the ceremony, Watertown employees enjoyed a small celebration of cake and punch while networking with leadership and their peers.

As URUS continues its path of Corporate Social Responsibility, this project is just one of the ways that we are looking to create a better and more sustainable world for future generations. PEAK looks forward developing new CSR initiatives that are sustainable and inclusive for employees, customers and stakeholders.