ECHO Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of professional-grade, high performance outdoor power equipment, was awarded the Lake Zurich Green Business Award by Mayor Tom Poynton during ECHO’s annual media event, Power-On-Athon Sept. 20, 2024. The award recognizes businesses in Lake Zurich working to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
ECHO was founded in North America in 1972 and established its headquarters in Lake Zurich in 1985. “Today, as the largest employer in our community, sustainable practices are at the core of our operations and embedded in our corporate philosophy,” said Harold Redman, President and CEO of ECHO Inc. “For over fifty years, ECHO has been at the forefront of innovation, not only leading the outdoor power equipment industry but also setting the standard for environmental stewardship. Receiving this award is a testament to our team's dedication to creating a sustainable future. We are proud to be a cornerstone of both environmental progress and economic opportunity for Lake Zurich.”
Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton, who has served as the Village leader since 2013, said “ECHO is an amazing community partner and one of the best neighbors in our thriving industrial park. Not only are they creating hundreds of good paying jobs and juicing the local economy, they also understand why being environmentally friendly is also good for business. They just get it and we’re happy to have their world headquarters here in Lake Zurich.”
After implementing sustainable practices, all businesses in Lake Zurich can apply for the award that acknowledges climate-friendly initiatives. Some of ECHO’s award-winning projects include:
- Waste Reduction: ECHO regrinds 100% of molded plastic scrap (over 400,000 pounds annually) and reintroduces the material into its molded parts. Even the dust created from the regrind process is sent out to a compound facility, re-pelletized and then reintroduced as regrind into ECHO’s production parts.
- Energy Savings: ECHO’s solar panel installation, one of the largest in Illinois, powers the Lake Zurich plant and offsets approximately 38% of its energy use. The company also reduces consumption with energy-saving equipment, including LED lights and motion sensors, making up over 90% of their facility lighting.
- ECHO partners with Integrated Lakes Management to routinely manage invasive species in and around the wetlands that surround the facility and to ensure native species can flourish.
- ECHO prioritizes its people, featuring ADA-compliant floor plans and encouraging employees to engage in community
