Danfoss recently hosted Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), local officials and community leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony for the company's new logistics facility in Loves Park, IL - home to Danfoss' VLT Drives division. Fueled by strong growth of Danfoss' high-powered, energy-efficient drives, the company will relocate its receiving, shipping and warehousing operations into this new facility, which will create additional manufacturing capacity at the current location.

During his visit, Manzullo, who founded and serves as co-chairman of the House Manufacturing Caucus, also participated in a discussion with top Danfoss managers about how Danfoss VLT variable frequency drives (VFDs) are helping the environment by reducing energy consumption. He was also given a plant tour so he could learn more first-hand about Danfoss' manufacturing business in his Congressional district.

In application, VFDs present a great opportunity to save significant amounts of energy and reduce the impact on the environment by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and the need to build power plants. VFDs can typically save 15 to 40 percent of energy required to operate a motor, depending on the installation; yet, 70 to 80 percent of new industrial electric motors globally do not have variable speed drives. There are more than 3.5 million Danfoss VLT variable speed drives installed worldwide that account for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 33 million tons per year.

Additionally, clean energy technologies, like those manufactured by Danfoss VLT Drives, help to create sustainable jobs. The speakers during the groundbreaking ceremony expressed a similar idea, reinforcing the importance of the impact a company like Danfoss has on the local economy.

"We are very pleased that Danfoss has chosen to keep this new warehouse facility here in Loves Park," commented Manzullo. "Our region depends on the help of businesses like Danfoss to create jobs and impact the growth of our economy. It's been a great pleasure to be here today to see first-hand the large contributions to economy, energy efficiency and environment that a U.S. manufacturing facility is making worldwide."