Over the years I have written about suppliers that are not only offering outstanding products and services but also doing incredible things at home. One such company I just wrote about is Melink Corp. They are not an advertiser of mine. They have been around since 1987 and you may know them best for their Intelli-Hood kitchen hood controls that dually monitor the level of cooking activity and automatically adjust the kitchen’s exhaust fan and supply fans to operate only as needed. I first wrote about that system in 2007.
Today, Melink does much more than kitchen hood controls. Their additional services include HVAC test & balance, solar PV systems, geothermal HVAC, and they have a PositiV building health monitor system.
I strongly encourage you to read my new article and review their 2020 Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Report. I would not say they are in a league of their own but they are pretty darn close when it comes to their headquarters facilities.
They have two headquarters buildings which they call HQ1 and HQ2. HQ1 was the first LEED Gold certified building in Ohio and that was in 2005. Since 2005, however, that building has been upgraded significantly and is now classified as Zero-Energy, Energy Star 99 Rated (only achieved by 1 percent of the population), and LEED Platinum-Certified. One of the features of HQ1 is a 100-kW solar system.
Another Zero-Energy Headquarters
Melink’s second headquarters was completed in 2019. HQ2 serves as a model Zero-Energy Building (ZEB) for architects, engineers, and contractors to learn best practices to mainstream ZEB construction. While HQ1 utilizes a roof-mounted solar system, HQ2 features its 85-kW system on the parking lot canopy so that it can serve as a visible sign of the company’s commitment.
HQ1 and HQ2 both have geothermal HVAC systems including heat pumps and geothermal wells and HQ2 has a wind turbine that produced 769 kWh in 2019. Steve Melink, Chairman & CEO, told me: “To get to net zero energy on our second headquarters building we needed fewer solar panels,” adding that it was because the building was so efficient. “We designed it to be net zero energy at the lowest cost possible. The cost premium was just 9 percent.”
The list of green features is long at the headquarters. One example: At HQ2 there are 39 electric vehicle charging stations. As of 2019, 57 percent of employees drove an alternative-fuel vehicle. As part of Melink’s 2025 Pledge, the goal is for every Melink employee to drive an electric vehicle. According to Melink, “Melink Corporation shall give everyone five years to transition to this commitment. If there are personal financial reasons preventing this, we will support the employee.”
Another employee benefit: Melink became an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan company) in 2018 to create an additional retirement benefit for employees, to share success among all employees, and to reward employees for their efforts to grow and support the business’ success.
Interestingly, Steve Melink considers himself a long-time conservative and is the ForbesBooks author of Fusion Capitalism: A Clean Energy Vision For Conservatives.
Earth Day Activities Planned?
Got anything planned for Earth Day (April 22)? I would love to hear from you about your plans. Write to greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
GLN Welcomes Mayfair Hotel and Restaurant Supply to Directory
Green Lodging News welcomes Mayfair Hotel and Restaurant Supply to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Amenities/Dispensers/Toiletries” category. Mayfair Hotel and Restaurant Supply has been servicing the hospitality industry since 1946. Mayfair works with hundreds of nationally recognized brands, both luxury and value products in hospitality, janitorial, paper, and foodservice categories. The company also offers close to a thousand, nationally stocked “green” products to suit the changing demands of its customers. This includes Eco Pod soap and shampoo as a sustainable and innovative solution for hotels worldwide to reduce single-use plastic waste. These powder-based amenities allow lighter transportation and lower carbon footprint. Just add water to use. Mayfair also offers Terra Green formulated for all skin types. It is offered in eco-friendly packaging. Mayfair stocks select products in its corporate location in Chicago along with 30 integrated locations across the country—offering 4,300 nationally stocked janitorial, food service, and paper products. Call (800) 851-4801 or e-mail customerservice@mayfairhotelsupply.com.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 24,142 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each month, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2021?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2021. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2021 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 24,142. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail greenlodgingnews@gmail.com to be added to our list.
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
