ARCADIA, Wis. -- For the 31st year, the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) chamber has awarded nine companies with the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award.

Amongst the 9 winners was Ashley Furniture Industries in Arcadia, Wis. The company was one of three firms to be named in the Environmental Stewardship category. This year’s winners have been chosen for programs that demonstrate an innovative approach to environmental protection, or a level of effort beyond that which is required by regulatory compliance.

As.hley’s operations started in Arcadia in 1970 and have since expanded throughout the United States, as well as overseas. Ashley is committed to being an environmental leader and sustainable company through energy reduction, waste management and recycling.

In 2019, Ashley began a company-wide solar panel installation initiative, which included individual projects across the United States at many of its manufacturing and distribution facilities. The initial goal of installing solar panels was to offset its electric energy needs by 35% using solar energy. So far, Ashley has installed nearly 45,000 solar panels on the rooftops of its distribution, manufacturing and retail facilities, with more installations to come in the next few years.

The current 45,000 installed panels are set to generate nearly 16 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually. This is equivalent to the energy needed to power approximately 1,500 homes annually. In February 2020, Ashley finished a 4,000 solar panel installation on one facility. This location alone produced 1.14 kWh of clean energy. Comparing July 2019 to July 2020, the facility required 86% less energy from the grid. For its successful solar panel installation project, Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC received this award.