Local bicycle component manufacturer Chris King Precision Components is highlighted as one of five “Green Giants” in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News magazine’s current issue. The issue focuses on bike companies who go the extra mile to be nice to the planet.
Chris King makes all of their headsets, hubs and other products almost entirely in their own facility, which is practically unheard of in any manufacturing industry. They have done more to minimize the environmental impact of their business than any company I have ever come across.
One of the programs they’re known for is how they deal with their metal scrap (see photo). Enter the puck, as explained in Bicycle Retailer,
“…all of the company’s metal scrap gets sent through a puck making machine to squeeze the oil out. The company then reuses the oil and compresses the chips for storage and transportation to the recycler. Factory air is also processed to squeeze the oil out.”
Made in Portland Bike Show]
And here’s an excerpt from the Chris King website that explains their philosophy,
“We should not only be striving to produce the best product we possibly can. We are obligated to also be designers of waste and scrap recycling procedures, and water and oil recovery and re-use systems. As we are responsible for the birth of our parts, we are also responsible for their ultimate demise.”
If only this were the norm instead of the exception.
There are many other interesting steps this company is taking for the environment. Chris has promised to give me the first full tour of their new Portland headquarters (which he says aren’t quite done being renovated) and I hope to bring you more of the story soon.
Awesome photo/caption Jonathan. Made me snort out loud.
And they reward bike commuting employees with vacation days! One per every few weeks, or something like that. It’s a really meaningful incentive, and it sure works. Chris King Precision Components won the Bike Commute Challenge last year for their size category.
They also make a gorgeous wall calendar on 50% recycled paper with soy-based ink.
Let’s see, what other nice things can I say about them…
Chris King makes his bike commuting employees pancakes!! I forget the details, but an employee told me so it must be true…
Judging from this photo I’d have to say it’s true 😉
Not sure how big it is, but the puck may have potential as a new lawn stepping stone. Dip it in some kind of environmentally safe resin for durability and voila!
They should sell those pucks as genuine Chris King paperweights. There’s a bunch of rich elitist roadies that would probably pay $50 each for them.
Andy – I was thinking the same thing! How big is that puck anyway?