Worcester Business Journal

20 Worcester Business Journal | April 16, 2018 | wbjournal.com F O C U S M A N U F A C T U R I N G SHAPING THE MAKERS OF TOMORROW Discover how we're training manufacturing leadership for the future. Learn more at worcester.edu/cbi Fourstar Connections finds a better way Fourstar senior management team (from left) Finance Manager Sarah Holman, Vice President Tom Barczak, President Phillip Holman, Vice President Steve Marian and Quality Assurance Manager Don Glencross. Green Manufacturing Award Fourstar Connections, Hudson Industry subsector: Contract manufacturer: electronic assembly Top executive: President & Owner Phillip Holman Founded: 1987 Employees: 65 The best intentions: Fourstar's initiatives into sustainability happened accidentally. The firm started doing things like adding solar panels, rolling out initiatives to improve employees' health, and giving back to the community, because it seemed like the right thing to do. It wasn't until much later that the company discovered these were all sustainability initiatives. BY SARAH CONNELL Special to the Worcester Business Journal F ourstar Connections prides itself on helping customers find a bet- ter way to make new products and to redesign their existing products with increased efficiency. e Hudson company partners with the firms like Westborough manufactur- ing services provider Columbia Tech to bring new products to market, such as producing 500 individual configurations of cable and electro-mechanical assem- blies in less than six months. "We leveraged Fourstar's resources throughout various stages of this chal- lenging project," said Scott Johnson, vice president for Columbia Tech. Yet, when it comes to its own in-house efficiencies and initiatives, Fourstar is reaching unparalleled heights. "Much like consumers search out companies with active sustainability pro- grams, more … companies are seeking sustainably-focused supply chain part- ners," said Phillip Holman, president and owner of Fourstar. "e multi-pronged approach we take includes educating our employees, both on sustainable supply chain interests and for their personal health and wellness." Fourstar installed a 100-kilowatt solar array and is in the process of changing all lighting over to LEDs. e company educates employees in consumption of fossil fuels through solar and energy reduction. e firm has opened two Tes- la charging stations, free to the public. Fourstar's program to reduce solid waste has led to the recycling of 100 percent of its cardboard. Plumbing fixtures have been installed to reduce water used. Holman understands state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are nothing without the wellness of his employees. An employee health initiative was insti- tuted to include management, exercise and nutritional awareness. Last year, Fourstar received a Work- force Training Fund grant of $117,375 from the state to improve sustainability, supply chain transparency, and carbon disclosure reporting. For the grant, Fourstar committed to train 36 workers and add 16 additional jobs by 2019. W

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