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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Fisher Space Pen Energy Success

With the help of: Manufacture Nevada

About

Made in Boulder City, Nevada, Fisher space pens have been on all the NASA manned space missions beginning with Apollo 7. The unique pressurized cartridge with its special ink formula will write in weightless conditions, -40F to 240F degrees, through water & grease and upside down. They currently employ 62 people. Fisher was featured at the White House recently for the President's Made in America event. They have also been featured at the annual MEP conference in 2011 as a strong supporter of MEP as a result of success with Nevada Industry Excellence (NVIE). 

The Challenge

Fisher Space Pen management realized that lighting throughout their production facility was in need of improvement and energy reduction at the same time. They also established that their antiquated air compressor needed to be replaced not only for reliability issues, but for increased capacity needs and energy savings as well.
NVIE has helped us significantly in future our energy savings and production efficiency.
— Cary Fisher, President

MEP's Role

NVIE brought in energy engineering provider, L&S Energy, to assist in identifying the specific details with a ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit where NVIE engaged the USDA REAP Grant program to pay for 75% of the $4,000 audit. The audit identified detailed specifications, capital costs along with expected return on investment for a variety of choices for Fisher Pen. 

 

Fisher Pen decided to install occupancy sensors and LED lighting at the facility. Since the USDA sanctioned Level 2 audit was conducted, a USDA grant could be used to pay for 25% of the capital costs of the recommendations that Fisher Pen chose to implement and invest in. The annual energy savings are expected to be $12,708 for lighting and $1,135 for occupancy sensors tor a total of almost $14,000 per year. The improved lighting in the production area has already improved efficiency, quality and employee morale as well. 


Created June 2, 2020, Updated July 12, 2021