Brayden Lexow

Host company: RedGuard

Major: Biological Systems Engineering

College: K-State

Is there a project or topic that you're particularly excited to work on?

I am currently working on a solar energy project. I have always been fascinated by solar power systems and even started a small solar generation project on our family farm. I am interested to see how solar power is generated at a much larger scale, and I can’t wait to see how this project turns out.

Tyler Hogenkamp

Host company: Ducommun

Major: Mechanical Engineering

College: K-State

Why do you think P2 is important to industries?

P2 is important to industries because some facilities are too busy to work on P2 projects. From what I have seen at Ducommun, everyone is very busy all the time; they have good P2 ideas, but they don't have the time to evaluate and implement them. Me being here allows them to get a sense of how feasible a project is and if it is worth implementing.

Reduce costs with free technical assistance

Featured case summary: Grandview Cabinetry

Grandview Cabinetry, located in Parsons, manufactures wooden kitchen and bathroom cabinetry in various stains and colors. Grandview is committed to sustainability as a core value, integrating environmental responsibility across its operations. It maintains a robust recycling program, distills solvents for reuse, and sources wood from suppliers with eco-friendly harvest practices. Grandview is also recognized for its efforts, participating in the Environmental Stewardship Program by KCMA and winning the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award from KDHE.

Grandview hired an intern to identify projects that could help reduce waste at the source. Initially, the company asked the intern to explore the feasibility of transitioning to electric forklifts and conducting an air compression audit. The intern also identified additional pollution prevention opportunities, including optimizing airflow and temperature control within the plant and adding variable frequency drives to the dust collection system.

Check out the full case summary or watch Aguilar's presentation of results.

Be Aware of HABs



Warm temperatures can result in harmful algal blooms, or HABs, a green slime that forms in waterbodies and can threaten the health of people and animals. 

In partnership with the KDHE, PPI has developed a toolkit to provide HAB education and resources for privately owned, nonagricultural waterbodies. This includes private, homeowners' association, campground and golf course ponds. The HAB toolkit offers a variety of resources, including downloadable materials and laboratory screening resources, all tailored for smaller private waterbodies in Kansas.

Learn more about The HAB Toolkit >