As a leader in airfield lighting solutions, we continually invest in new technologies and our people to generate high performance, energy efficient products. Our in-house design and engineering experts are responsible for the creation of several industry-first products that utilize LED technology, including the LED L-804 Runway Guard Light (RGL), LED L-849 Runway End Identifier Light (REIL), LED L-858B Sign, LED L-858YRL Sign and a series of LED taxiway lighting products.

The use of LED technology in airfield lighting applications is quickly replacing incandescent due to the many advantages surrounding reduced energy usage and maintenance. Our engineers continue to develop and design innovative ways to utilize LED technology and have been instrumental in the development of custom lighting solutions to support our clients’ goals of relying on more energy efficient resources/materials.

A Senior Aviation Electrical Facilities Manager at one of the country’s largest international airports asked us to investigate a power supply system that would maximize efficiency and eliminate the internal power supply as well as allow the airport to reuse its existing series circuit infrastructure. As shown in Diagram A, the new DC Series LED power system we developed uses1.7% of the energy that a traditional 6.6A incandescent circuit does. This is just one example of the possibilities that exist with LED technology.

Diagram A

The LED L-849 REIL provides energy savings of 50% for voltage-driven applications and 90% for series circuit (current-driven) applications that previously used a power adapter. And, it has a ROI of 1.1 to 3 years depending on the application. Specific statistics comparing the amount of kilowatt hours used between incandescent and some of our LED fixtures are available to further demonstrate savings.

Energy reduction, while significant, is only one aspect of the savings our LED fixtures provide. Our entire line of LED products is designed to perform better, provide greater efficiencies and improve safety in the “total” operation of the airfield. The use of LEDs in our fixtures means fewer lamp replacements and disposals over the life of the product. In addition to the reduction of re-lamping labor expenses, LED lighting fixtures: lower on-going maintenance costs such as maintenance vehicle fuel consumption associated with regular or frequent trips to service fixtures on the airfield; improve safety due to the low, regulated DC voltage inside; and because of the longevity of the light source, reduce runway shut downs. Less service trips also mean fewer vehicles on the runway and a reduction in chances for runway incursion. These and other attainable efficiencies offset the initial investment for LED fixtures, which is higher than traditional fixtures.

We are also working with solar technology and have developed a system of products to enable installation of solar powered circuits of LED fixtures. They meet the same photometric performance characteristics as existing technology and at a significant savings in energy consumption and maintenance costs. These can be deployed as small as individual fixtures or as large as complete taxiway circuits, and in the near future, runway circuits.

Because our LED products introduce new opportunities for the markets we serve, our team is actively meeting with customers and industry officials to discuss the integration of current and potential energy efficient options for existing airports and new airfield designs. Information for LED specific products as well as our entire product line, such as manuals, installation guides, maintenance information, engineering drawings and marketing literature, is also available online not only to keep information current, but to cut down on excess printing and waste. We have also made our products available through a custom order program to eradicate excess due to overstocking.

At ADB Airfield Solutions, we have always been committed to running our operations as efficiently as possible and to the development of effective, high performance products. Looking for opportunities to continually improve our processes and products just makes good business sense . . . it makes us a better company with a stronger bottom line and most importantly allows us to be a valued partner to our customers.

We are also committed to taking a critical look at our company, products and processes through a “green” magnifying glass, so we can evaluate how we are performing as a member of the community, an employer and a partner to some of the world’s largest airports. Initially, we are pleased to see that some of our efforts geared toward improving our business also help the environment. Based on our initial successes, we know there is much more we can do to make a difference.

All levels of our organization have embarked on a mission to reduce, reuse and recycle materials for the benefit of our environment. We are educating and motivating our associates by forming an employee-based team that is responsible for seeking out opportunities to reduce waste, conserve energy and share the knowledge. This team is tasked with recommending changes that can be implemented efficiently and cost effectively, while making a measurable impact on the environment.

As part of our plan, we are focusing on the reduction of municipal solid wastes, recycling things like office paper, packing materials and cardboard as well as ink cartridges, plastic bottles and cans. We have introduced new tools to conserve power/energy, including the installation of occupancy sensor switches, programmable thermostats, Dyson electric hand dryers, automatic faucets, and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Plant lighting has been changed from sodium to fluorescent and circuits reconfigured so only active sections are lit, while non-active areas can remain unlit. Office environments have been upgraded to high efficiency fluorescent lighting, replacing old, inefficient ballasts. Our IT department routinely purchases Energy Star equipment, replacing older PC’s with more energy efficient computers, and utilizes a third party resource to donate and recycle computer equipment, including old PC’s, monitors, servers and printers. By recycling PCs and other electronic equipment, ADB Airfield Solutions helps ensure that end of life consumer electronics are recycled responsibly with zero components going to landfills.

Our production and operations groups work together to pin point opportunities to minimize waste in the manufacturing process. We look to ourselves and our vendors to redesign materials to eliminate excess scrap and only use what is needed. 3D modeling of prototypes has cut down on fabrication materials. Multiple products have gone from liquid paint to powder coating to help reduce volatile organic compounds/solvents. We invested in a new shrink wrap machine that is over 300% more efficient than the previous equipment in terms of materials used to package products. We participate in several programs with our supply chain for returnable dunnage on sub-assemblies. In addition to changes in manufacturing processes, it is our policy to repair and reuse equipment as much as possible.

Beyond physical changes to our facility and company-wide operational processes, our Purchasing team is integrating environmental considerations into their purchase criteria. For example, limiting the amount of packaging included in materials purchased from overseas suppliers to prevent excessive waste. We have also made a point to rely more heavily on our local supply chain: 55%-60% of our suppliers are located within a 100 mile radius to help reduce transportation and the resulting emissions, while supporting the local economy.

We continue to select and implement waste reduction options as well as monitor techniques to measure the impact our changes make. In addition, we rely on third party internal audits, which verify compliance with applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations and accepted industry practices, for further input on how we are doing as a company and recommended improvements.

The history of our company is in making good business decisions that have led to a sustained corporate existence and have also opened the door to opportunities to sustain the environment. Today, we believe we have a responsibility to the wider community of stakeholders (i.e. shareholders, employees, local governments and residents, and customers) to be committed to sustainability in every aspect of our business.

Our mission is the careful use of natural resources in the design and operation of our products as well as in our internal operations. Our goal is to minimize our total impact to the environment and serve as a benchmark for others to follow.

Have we met all of the criteria? Certainly not, but what we do have is a continuous improvement culture . . . a willingness to make change for the right reasons. We are dedicated to weaving this effort into our daily existence, and to working with other third party resources and improving our documentation to help us reach our goal.

As airports around the world place more importance on assessing and reducing their environmental impact, they can rely on ADB Airfield Solutions as an environmentally conscious partner who will support their efforts with the continued development of quality, high performance and energy efficient products and solutions.