Cedar’s has been a leader in the Mediterranean food industry for over 30 years. Originally known for its Hommus and Taboule (at a time when Mediterranean foods were not commonly sold in New England), Cedar’s has since expanded to produce a variety of delicious Mediterranean food products now including All Natural Hommus, Salsa, Pita Chips, Mediterranean Salads, Snack Packs, Wraps & more. Its success has risen substantially in the last 10 years as the company now distributes coast to coast, and co-manufactures for many different brands at its Ward Hill, MA facility. This state of the art, SQF Level 3 Certified facility includes multiple projection floors, packaging lines, warehouse space, and offices.
Along with expanding its food products, Cedar’s is continually looking at innovative ways to reduce costs and increase productivity. It underwent two retrofit custom electric projects to improve the plant’s energy efficiency. In 2009, with the help of Mass Save, Cedar’s completed a retrofit custom electric project, which included a variable speed homogenizer and a positive displacement booster pump. The following year, it reconfigured its pasteurizing line so that all products can be pasteurized without a 24/7 production schedule. This eliminated the need for certain motors. It also decreased motor loads and reduced cleaning time. All totaled, the two projects have saved Cedar’s 1,170,084 kWh, as well as $125,000.
A collaboration of Cedar’s personnel, engineering consultants, vendors, and utility company representatives have spearheaded these efforts. DMI, Inc. was retained by National Grid to evaluate cost effective options, and Mass Save provided $372,665 in incentives, with a simple payback period of 3.8 years.
Cedar’s General Manager, Nick Scangas, said that the Mass Save program “has changed the way we approach any changes in our facility.” Employees welcome and appreciate conservation measures, and during meetings, they regularly discuss ways to reduce energy.
The company also has a number of projects slated for this year, including three new energy-efficient production lines (including electric eyes that will shut conveyors down when no product is running), additional heating and cooling lines, and upgrading of boiler and hot water recovery systems. New buildings planned for construction will include energy-efficient wall panels, lighting, and cooling/heating systems.
No doubt, Cedar’s success with its All Natural, Non-GMO Project Verified Hommus and many other Cedar’s items, will continue to rise as the company itself will continue its commitment to smart energy conversation and savings.