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Tag Archive: SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge

  1. Gage Looks Back at 2016

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    As 2016 draws to a close and we prepare for another productive, exciting year, we at Gage Products are looking back on the past year’s many accomplishments and important blog posts. Having celebrated our 80th birthday in 2016, this was a particularly momentous time for our team.

    Blog Highlights

    Through our blog, we got the chance to share exciting news and events with our readers, some of which are highlighted below.

    Our Continual Sustainability Efforts

    To provide clients and readers with a better idea of our sustainability efforts, in our August post we highlighted our “continuous improvement” project; this effort includes facility upgrades that reduce our carbon footprint, as well as the installation of a high-efficiency furnace that improves overall plant energy efficiency. We also discussed the upgrading of our recycling system controls.

    In our May blog post, we outlined the basics of a Circular Economy, which promotes resource productivity and reduces waste. Gage Products is proud to be an early adopter of Circular Economy principles. We reclaim solvent materials from our major automobile clients and then filter what we obtain for sale in the market, significantly reducing waste and decreasing our carbon footprint.

    To mark Earth Day, we discussed our environmental management program and our dedication to sustainability initiatives. As a chemical supplier, we believe it’s particularly important for us to offer eco-friendly options. Not only do we promote sustainable product alternatives, we also focus on reducing energy and greenhouse emissions, upgrading solid waste and recycling systems, and improving wastewater treatment methods.

    Our Work in the Automotive Industry

    Because Gage Products works with many major auto companies, we attended The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which took place in January in Detroit. Our team was especially proud of our involvement here, as we acted as a sponsor of the 2016 AUTOGLOW: The 25th, which supports children’s charities through The Children’s Center. Every year, they help over 7,500 children and families deal with emotional and intellectual challenges, often stemming from poverty or abuse.

    And in March, we blogged about the exciting SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Held in Houghton, Michigan, students got the chance to present their redesigned eco-friendly snowmobiles. The redesigned vehicles reduced both emissions and noise and showcased the forward-thinking work of the next generation’s designers.

    More recently, one of the main focuses amongst the Gage Products team has been our contribution to create foreign business opportunities for the company, Michigan, U.S. and China.

    Looking Ahead

    2016 has been an exciting year here at Gage Products, and this coming year is sure to be just as productive. For more information on sustainability efforts and awareness, the automotive and manufacturing industries, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

    We hope everyone has a relaxing holiday season, and we’ll see you back here in 2017!

  2. Not Done With Winter Yet: This Year’s SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge Winners

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    This year the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge took place on March 7th, 2016 through the 12th, and it was no surprise to us that the challengers went hard again this year. The event that annually takes place in Houghton, Michigan, brings together contestants of all different kinds. At Gage Products, we are personally involved with the gas and diesel sleds specifically, and we’re no rookies to the cause. This was our 15th year sponsoring the event while donating alternative fuels to the challenge. Electric snowmobiles were also included in the competition.

    At Gage, we take a special interest in the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge because it allows students to challenge themselves with engineering and design – to ultimately test capabilities. The common goal of the challenge? To redesign an existing snowmobile in an attempt to reduce both emissions and noise.

    The other events that the snowmobiles competed in this year included: fuel economy/endurance, acceleration, handling, static display, cold start and design.

    The breakdown of the winners this year went as follows…

    The overall winners of the gas competition:
    1. University of Wisconsin – Madison
    2. École De Technologie Supérieure & Clarkson University tied for second

    The best fuel economy on the endurance run, in the order they placed:
    1. University of Idaho – 19.3mpg
    2. Clarkston University – 18.9mpg
    3. École De Technologie Supérieure – 18.5mpg

    And last, but not least, the overall order for the diesel mobiles:
    1. North Dakota State University
    2. State University of New York at Buffalo

    If you know Gage, you know that we are happy to be at and/or sponsor any events that speak to the importance of sustainability for a better environment. The SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge is one way for the younger generations to start getting involved with improving our surroundings, and it won’t stop there. For further information on our sustainability practices and how to become part of the cause, visit our website today. On behalf of the Gage Products team, we would like to congratulate the University of Wisconsin – Madison, the University of Idaho, and North Dakota State University on their first place victories! We look forward to seeing everyone there next year!

  3. Gage Products Announces 2015 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge Winners

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    Each year in March engineering students from the US and Canada come together in Michigan to participate in the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Student teams work throughout the year to re-engineer existing snowmobiles to improve fuel economy, lower emissions, and reduce noise levels all without sacrificing performance.

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    This year 21 universities brought together over 200 students who competed in a variety of events, which rated emissions, noise, fuel economy, endurance, acceleration, handling, static display, cold start, and other design factors. This was Gage Products’ 14th consecutive year sponsoring the event where we provide alternative fuels to the participating teams as well as award one team for Best Fuel Economy. This year we’re happy to announce that the Kettering University team earned the award for achieving 25.0 mpg on the program’s Endurance Run event.

    Other teams that participated in this year’s challenge include Clarkson University, Ecole De Technologie Superieure, North Dakota State University, Northern Illinois University, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Iowa State, South Dakota School of Mines & Technique, SUNY – Buffalo , the University of Idaho,  University of Waterloo, University of Wisconsin – Madison and University of Wisconsin – Platteville.

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    As a leader in test fuels, our division maintains a significant inventory of custom-blended gasoline fuels for use in automotive test programs such as SAE as well as ASTM fuels and OE-specific fuels. At Gage Products we believe it is important to not only work towards a sustainable future but to help train and support the next generation who will continue our work. To learn more about our fuels and our commitment to STEM education, visit our website.

  4. Gage Products Company: Year in Review

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    As we welcome in the New Year we wanted to take some time to reflect on some of the events that occurred in our company in 2014 and what we hope to bring to our customers in 2015. In 2014 our company saw growth consistent with that of the automotive industry and we also expanded the reach of our website where we’re happy to share with our readers that our website is now available in seven different languages. We also participated in some educational and fun events. Around this time last year we were preparing for the National American International Auto Show (NAIAS). This auto show is extremely valuable to our company as it allows us to meet with automotive industry professionals from all around the world.

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    We also sponsored the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. This event encourages STEM education by allowing engineering students to re-engineer existing snowmobiles so that they will be more fuel efficient, promote lower emissions, and reduce noise levels while maintaining high performance. As a company that is strongly focused on sustainability we love to be a part of this challenge and to help future generations discover the value of being environmentally conscious.

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    Finally, we co-sponsored the Ferndale Rainbow Run last summer. This 5K run/walk is to encourage acceptance and diversity within the community. As we mentioned as a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility we try to play an active role within our community and build on our tenets of community service and environmental sustainability.

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    Our goal for 2015 is to build on these principles and continue to demonstrate responsible behavior towards ourselves, our community, and our environment. This will be achieved through our business model, which is designed to adapt to developing and changing market conditions. Equally important is that it focuses on sustainable practices, which allows us to deliver superior value to all our stakeholders. To learn more about Gage Products, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.

  5. Gage Products Company and the 2013 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge

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    SAE 2013 Snowmobile Challenge

    Gage Products Company Director of Laboratories, Bob Patzelt, works with participants at the 2013 SAE Snowmobile Challenge. Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech (www.mtukrc.org).

    Gage Products Company is once again proud to be taking part and sponsoring the annual SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. This year’s contest was held the week of March 4-9, 2013 at Michigan Tech in Calumet.

    Since 2000, this engineering design competition for college-age students has been at the forefront of improving the snowmobile industry’s environmental footprint. With Gage’s and other corporate support, CSC challenges the engineers of the future to reengineer an existing snowmobile to reduce emissions and noise. These reimagined snowmobiles are put through a wide range of tests including:

    • Ÿ Emissions
    • Ÿ Noise
    • Ÿ Fuel economy/endurance
    • Ÿ Acceleration
    • Ÿ Handling
    • Ÿ Static display
    • Ÿ Cold start
    • Ÿ …And of course, design

    There are a number of cash prizes and trophies to win and it is a great way for companies to get a closer look at the best new engineers.

    However, the real benefit comes from teaching tomorrow’s engineers that performance, presentation, and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.  As industries become more aware of the profit potential of sustainability, the more we can help save the Earth and reinvigorate the world’s economy. It’s the kind of win-win that is at the core of what we do at Gage.

    If you want to learn more about the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge, you can visit their website or their Facebook page.