Local manufacturer Glen Raven awarded E3 Scholarship


Todd Wemyss (right), site manager for Glen Raven in Norlina, speaks during a community forum organized by N.C. State’s Institute for Emerging Issues on the future of manufacturing and workforce development at the VGCC Civic Center on July 18, 2013. Listening at left is George Rusincovitch of Vescom. (VGCC photo)

Todd Wemyss (right), site manager for Glen Raven in Norlina, speaks during a community forum organized by N.C. State’s Institute for Emerging Issues on the future of manufacturing and workforce development at the VGCC Civic Center on July 18, 2013. Listening at left is George Rusincovitch of Vescom. (VGCC photo)

Glen Raven of Norlina was recently selected to receive an “E3” scholarship through North Carolina State University’s Industrial Extension Service, based on recommendations by local partnering organizations, including Vance-Granville Community College. This scholarship will support professional assessments that can help Glen Raven save money and become more sustainable.

“We are excited and honored to be the newest E3 North Carolina manufacturer,” said Todd Wemyss, the manager for Glen Raven’s Norlina site. “This partnership will bring some unique resources, services and expertise to our plant at no cost to the company. Improving our efficiency and controlling energy costs will strengthen not only Glen Raven but also Warren County’s position in the increasingly competitive global economy.”

E3 North Carolina is a federal and state supported initiative to create more competitive and sustainable manufacturers.  The three E’s stand for the “economy,” “energy” and the “environment.” E3 was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2008.  E3 leverages resources from federal, state and local experts, including private industry partners, to help manufacturers identify and implement energy and sustainability measures. It focuses on the “triple bottom line” of financial profitability and growth; environmental integrity and commitment; and social equity and workforce development. E3 is administered by N.C. State University’s Industrial Extension Service (IES), the state’s designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. North Carolina’s E3 model places an emphasis on rural communities and relies heavily on local partners, up to 200 of them scattered across the state. These partners conduct assessments and present a comprehensive plan with detailed recommendations on how to attain the sustainability goals through implementation. The team also provides follow-up and tracks the metrics based on the gained efficiencies in order to share with other manufacturers and to continue the trend. Warren County team members include VGCC, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, and the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board.

VGCC and Glen Raven are longtime partners. The college serves the company by providing training programs for employees, on subjects including management, leadership, safety and technical skills such as industrial maintenance. A strong corporate supporter of VGCC’s Endowment Fund, Glen Raven has endowed scholarships for students as well as awards that recognize faculty and staff excellence. For more information on industry services at VGCC, call Eddie Ferguson at (252) 738-3264.