Gwaltney of Smithfield Ltd. has been awarded the 2004 Environmental Excellence Award by Businesses for the Bay in recognition of the company’s achievements in reducing nutrients in wastewater at its Smithfield operations.

Businesses for the Bay is a voluntary team of businesses, industries, government facilities and other organizations within the Chesapeake Bay watershed committed to implementing pollution prevention practices in their daily operations. The organization’s excellence awards recognize participants for their outstanding work to help protect the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.

“On behalf of the state of Virginia, we commend Gwaltney of Smithfield for its ongoing investment in protecting the environment,” said Robert G. Burnley, director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). “It’s gratifying to see that companies such as Gwaltney and its parent, Smithfield Foods, are working to preserve our natural resources and ensure that high environmental standards are maintained.”

“Through the implementation of a successful pollution prevention program and an upgrade to its wastewater pre-treatment system, Gwaltney of Smithfield has demonstrated both an increased awareness of the facility’s impact on the environment and its commitment to protect Virginia’s natural resources,” said Mary Lynn Wilhere, Businesses for the Bay coordinator. “These are the types of pollution prevention programs that will enhance the long-term quality of Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.”

Norman Fisher, Smithfield Packing/Gwaltney’s vice president of environmental affairs and fleet safety, said in receiving the award, “I am proud to receive this award on behalf of Gwaltney and the Smithfield family of companies. This award emphasizes the hard work and dedication of all Gwaltney employees and our commitment to environmental excellence. It is our goal to be a leader for environmental stewardship in our industry and to be the best corporate citizens possible.”

Smithfield Foods, Inc. has taken a leadership role for environmental stewardship in the meat industry. Gwaltney of Smithfield, in turn, has implemented several pollution prevention programs—including on-going energy and water conservation, recycling and material-substitution processes— that are successfully protecting the environment.

The Gwaltney environmental project cited by Businesses for the Bay for its 2004 Environmental Excellence Award was implemented on May 29, 2003, and has produced significant achievements in reducing nutrients in wastewater and reducing water usage.

The project involved installing a 1.5 meter belt filter press at the Gwaltney operation to remove the daily accumulated residual solids from the activated sludge process of the wastewater treatment system. On average, the equipment removes as much as 100 wet tons of residual solids from the wastewater system each week. This helps minimize risks to the environment.

Installing the equipment has increased the efficiency of the wastewater treatment system, resulting in a 53 percent reduction in nitrate compounds, or 85,577 pounds. In addition, a modification to the initial belt filter press contributes to annual water-use savings of approximately 10 million gallons, resulting in less wastewater effluent. From 2002 to 2003, Gwaltney’s total water-use savings has been 20,980,000 gallons, which includes other water conservation efforts.

From an economic standpoint, the belt filter press project has saved the company $103,256 annually through greater efficiencies in removing residual solids and significant water-use savings.

Mary Fisher, benefits manager for Smithfield Foods, Inc. was recently selected by Employee Benefit News magazine as one of the magazine’s 2004 "Benny" Award recipients. She received the Retirement Plans “Benny” for her hard work and charge in consolidating Smithfield Foods’ 401(k) plan.

As benefits manager, Mary oversees the retirement benefits for Smithfield Foods and all of its subsidiaries. She is responsible for all required annual reports, ensuring legal compliance with all plan documents, educating employees about the plan, working closely with actuaries, company participants, employees, plan trustees and the fund advisors and managers and several other important tasks to ensure the retirement plan is efficient and compliant, while satisfying participants.

Under Fisher's guidance, Smithfield decided to unite all of our companies' U.S. defined contribution plans and their employees under a new plan that combined many of the best features of each plan while increasing the service level offered to employees. The combination of plans has allowed the company to take advantage of cost savings and efficiencies.

“Receiving a ‘Benny’ is quite an honor, not only for me, but for the entire company,” said Fisher. “I am appreciative of everyone’s assistance and participation in making the transition run smoothly.”

The “Benny” is the benefit industry's most prestigious honor. The Bennys, first presented in 1991, recognize exceptional innovation, commitment and professionalism in the field.