Southport Forest Products capitalized on new markets by expanding its operations to include an energy-efficient dry-lumber kiln. The project reduced costs related to energy use, production and shipping.

“The dry kiln consumes an enormous amount of energy,” said Jason Smith, founder, Southport Forest Products. “We needed help identifying energy-efficiency solutions to maintain the economic feasibility of our investment.” A technical analysis arranged by Energy Trust validated the new dry kiln system’s estimated energy savings for both electricity and natural gas.

Southport also installed a highly-efficient natural gas boiler that includes an economizer to capture energy lost out of the stack. The project, which qualified for $240,600 in Energy Trust incentives, has reduced natural gas and electricity consumption, expanded the company’s market and created new jobs.