Electric Roof Offers Financial Jolt

Tube Specialties produces products for Daimler, the parent company for Freightliner Trucks and other heavy truck industry manufacturers.  This family operated business started at their Troutdale location in 1996 and also has another location in North Carolina.  Both facilities have 212,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space.  In addition to servicing Freightliner Corporation, they also make products for the construction industry and parts for agricultural equipment. Established in 1963 by their father, Mark and Gary Weyhrich are the two brothers currently active in the business.

Tube Specialities, Troutdale, Oregon

 

Each of their two plants has 150 employees providing family wage jobs.  In order to survive in the current economy they have strived to provide economies within their business to maintain those jobs. Among the concepts was the idea of utilizing the solar roof panels to offset the cost of their utilities.

Duro-Last roofing, in conjunction with Solar Nation and Competitive Commercial Roofing, replaced the entire roof of Tube Specialties Troutdale facility with a prefabricated membrane. The roofing is customized for each specific application because it is designed to have solar panels anchored to the roofing material.  All the work is done in the factory located in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is guaranteed for 25 years, plus a 15 year guarantee on the contents of the building in case the roof leaks. 

The roof is designed to last as long as the solar panels that are embedded in the membrane of the roof. This Duro-Last roof is designed to reflect 85% of the sun’s rays. This makes it the highest reflective material in the commercial roofing industry. They are unique in that they make everything within their plant including the fasteners, edge detail, plates, and screws.  Nothing is outsourced.  They have four plants within the United States and they are family owned. This company received the 2009 Oregon Sustainability Award from the governor’s office.

One of the final pieces, and the one earning Tube Specialties a return on the investment (ROI) of their new roof, is the application of solar panels generating electricity on their roof.  Solar Nation is a local Gresham company that not only provides the solar panels, but the design, engineering and financial model and the complete electrical installation. Solar Nation has built their business model on the concept of having the business owner come to them for a turnkey installation. The business owner initially has to finance the project, but 95% of the investment is financially reimbursed through the Business Energy Tax Credit, Federal Investment Tax credit or grant, and finally the Energy Trust of Oregon.  So after installation the business owner is out of pocket 1-5% for the total project.  The projected ROI is expected to be five years generating many tens of thousands of dollars in energy cost savings over the life the solar panels and roofing material.

You might question that the weather in Oregon is not conducive to generating electricity from solar panels.  Cooler climates are actually better suited to generating electricity then hot climates and that is because in very hot climates, the solar panels are designed to shut down if the sun is too intense.  Our weather mirrors the same characteristics of Germany and this year alone they are building five gigawatts of electricity (one billion watts of electricity) which is equivalent to the production of five nuclear power plants.  Like Germany, Oregon is one of the leading states in providing incentives for energy independence for our businesses.

Each of the companies providing the products, engineering, design and installation are experiencing explosive growth in their businesses.  Each business shared with me that they are hiring additional people to handle the increased customer demand for their solar products. They are providing the state of the art technology that can be delivered to a business offsetting their cost of providing electricity for their operation.  Those companies that survive this economy will do so because they taken the bold steps needed to provide efficiencies and creative sources of income for their companies.  After all, not long ago who would have ever thought your roof could generate money for your business.

 

Troutdale's Featured Business-Ristorante DiPompello, a Restaurant With a Heart

 

A grandmother's love for her grandson is responsible for the wonderful Italian restaurant we all enjoy located on our main street in historic downtown Troutdale.

 

As a little boy and later as a young teenager, Saul Pompeyo learned to cook from the hands of his paternal grandmother.  Each summer Saul's family would travel 2,000 miles from Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula to stay the summer at grandmother's house.  Guests were a common occurrence and grandmother enjoyed entertaining. At her side was her grandson who learned from the best of the best.

 

Ristorante DiPompello is owned and operated by Saul and Ruby Pompeyo.  They have achieved their dream of having their own family Italian restaurant.  As a memorial to his grandparents, the original Italian family name, DiPompello, hangs over the marquee at the entrance. Parents of two small girls Sophia 2 1/2 and Daniela 9, they work seven days a week to create a wonderful epicurean delight.  Ruby makes the homemade sauces every day and helps out part time with the cooking.

 

Saul has an extensive background in operating all phases of a restaurant.  After all, he grew up in an Italian restaurant operated by his father in Mexico City.  It provided for the family until the earthquake in 1985, which destroyed the family business.  He continued with his career until 1998, when he was recruited to manage a downtown Portland restaurant.

 

Afterwards, he opened several new restaurants then decided the time had come to take the challenge of opening his own restaurant.  He chose Troutale because he likes the small town flavor of the community.  He wants to know his customers as his friends.  Because making friends is so important to him, he stresses food quality with every meal that is prepared.  "We want to know everybody and have a relationship with our customers and provide the best food we possibly can" Saul comments.

 

He must be doing something right because the restaurant is always full at lunchtime and the business has doubled since last year. They have expanded from three employees to nine this year alone.  Maybe their success is in part due to Saul's own version of the Stimulus Package.  This special runs from Sunday to Thursday where two people can have a full dinner including appetizer, choice of two salads or soups and your choice of two pastas and a dessert all for $22.00. During his popular lunchtime they have over 20 different pasta dishes for $7.50, which includes a salad or soup.  If you are on the run they have a dozen sandwiches to choose from.

 

They receive rave reviews from their loyal customers.  Bill Flynn and his family are frequent customers.  Bill stated,"we always bring our out of town guests to Saul's restaurant for dinning and good conversation."

 

Due to the popularity of Ristorante DiPompello, Saul has expanded to the upper floor for overflow and to serve banquets.

 

My suggestion is to give the cook in your house a break and come and have a great meal at very reasonable prices.

 

You will find Ristorante DiPompello in Historic Downtown Troutdale, 177 East Columbia River Highway.

 

Bon appetit!

 

Ristorante DiPompello open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out their 60 foot mural painted by a local Troutdale artist Roberto Herrera, who is an Italian from Argentina,  The mural depicts the city of Pompeii, Italy.

 

Saul Pompeyo, your host.





Alaska Airlines "Honor Flight"

 

Patient has it's virtue.  Nothing could be truer as in the case of Alaska Airlines. It took them 10 years but through Congressional action they  now have a direct flight from Portland International to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

 

A reception celebrating this achievement took place last evening (August 27, 2012) in downtown Portland. Hundreds of guests were invited for this milestone event. Brad Tilden, Chief Executive Officer of Alaska/Horizon was the key-note speaker along with Bill Wyatt of the Port of Portland, and Congressmen Kurt Schrader and Bill Wyatt.

 

The most interesting part of the evening was the introduction of several couples, husband and wives of World War II veterans.  Many of these unions have survived over several decades. One marriage in particular has lasted for 70 years.  They will be part of the group taking the inaugural flight back to Washington D.C. to view the World War II memorial and other sites in the city courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

 

Alaska Airlines has over 100 flights a day leaving PDX.  They serve 2.5 million passengers a year and are the largest carrier for our Portland airport.

 

As a footnote:

 

Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska,  has access to a private plane and remarked about the convenience of using our Troutdale Airport.  At the entrance to the reception was Captain Rick who learned how to fly from Troutdale Airport. Both of them commented how much the city and in particular our downtown has improved.

Mayor Jim Kight with CEO of Alaska Airlines Brad Tilden and Suzanne Waldrop Alaska Airline
employee

Our master of ceremonies for the Alaska Airlines event
Bill Wyatt, Executive Director Port of Portland

 

The Kids Had a Good Time

 

If it isn't too long ago you can remember what is was like being a kid in the summer. Mom and dad were always looking ways to keep you busy.  Maybe you worked around the house or went to the fields to pick berries.  More than likely you played with the neighbor kids or went swimming.

 

Today children have many activities to choose from that didn't exist in the past. Troutdale as an example has the only recreation program for children in East County. It is managed by our ever capable Mollie King. Now that the summer is coming to a close she provided a report on the summer program. When you look at the activities and sports you wish you were a kid again.

 

Field trips this year included the Oregon Zoo, Oaks Park, OMSI Children's Museum, Bullwinkle's, and a trip to a working farm. They played games together, did arts and crafts went swimming and just had a good time being a kid. The eight week program attracted 184 children from age's four to twelve.

 

One of the keys to the success of the program is the junior leaders.  Many of the junior volunteers attended the recreation program when they were younger. Collectively they volunteered 788 hours to the program. The age of the junior leaders was from twelve to fourteen. From the recreation manager, Mollie King, "The Camp Kaleidoscope staff and myself are truly thankful for the junior leaders and intern this summer. Their help was invaluable." Mollie also commented that she appreciated the dedication on the part of the parents of the junior leaders. They made sure they were at the camp daily and on time.

 

Next year if you are looking for a good positive outlet for your children consider our recreation program. They will have an experience that will last a lifetime.



Troutdale Happenings Featured on Comcast

Troutdale happenings were featured on TV, on Comcast Newsmakers with Ken Ackerman. I had the opportunity to present some of the best attributes of Troutdale to a regional audience.

Design Under-way On Interstate 84 Troutdale Interchange (Marine Drive)

The Oregon Department of Transportation has begun designing a project that will improve the Marine Derive/257th Avenue interchange on Interstate 84 in Troutdale at exit 17. Construction is expected to start in spring of 2014.

The project will include:

Widening of  Marine Drive between the two frontage roads to allow for two-way traffic. so vehicles exiting I-84 eastbound can turn directly on to Marine Drive instead of traveling all the way around on the frontage roads.

Replace the existing I-84 overpass bridges at Marine Drive with a new bridge that is longer to accommodate the widening of Marine Drive and to allow for the passage of taller vehicles (up to 17 fee, 4 inches)

The two Marine Drive intersections at the frontage roads also will be improved to meet current design standards.  The existing fee-flow right turn lane from the north Frontage Road onto Marine Drive will be moved closer to the intersection to increase drivers' visibility as they first yield and then merge with the new northbound traffic on Marine Drive.  Drivers on the north Frontage Road will also be given more space to merge into their desired lane.

Provide a longer left turn lane on the north Frontage Road for vehicles turning south onto Marine Drive.

Add bike lanes in both directions on Marine Drive under I-84

Add sidewalk on the west side of Marine Drive under I-84

These improvements will enhance operations and safety at this interchange and help improve freight access between I-84 and the industrial properties to the north namely Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park (TRIP).

Exit 17 before the third lane was added. The new Marine Drive improvements are to the right of this photograph.

Adding the third lane has eliminated the stacking on the freeway that was common with this exit.

\

This is exit 17 which has been changed to three lanes.

There is no more stacking on the freeway as a result

of this improvement.

This is Marine Drive heading south. It will be changed to

allow two-way traffic as you exit the freeway at exit 17.



Union Pacific Railroad: Shaping America for 150 years

 

We didn't have any difficulty spotting the Union Pacific train painted in Armour yellow with the bright signal red strip on the bottom. As you were directed on the Anniversary Special of Union Pacific at the Hoyt Street train station, we were impressed how attractive the train was. This train will travel throughout the twenty-three states that the company services.

 

Our host for this reception celebrating the 150 years of service to our country was Robert Turner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations. The train serves as Bob's home. His personal sleeping car was built in 1914. The Honduras mahogany paneling that surround his sleeping quarters speaks of a by-gone era when trains were the chief mode of transportation. The day quarters of the same car has elegant appointments throughout and  gas light fixtures that have been converted to electricity. Built into a cabinet is a television set that rises out of the base with the push of a button.  It seems oddly out of place, but a reminder that this is a working office with computers, and the like.

 

What follows is an interview with Robert, who is well versed in sharing the Union Pacific story.

 

Q. Bob, tell us  how Union Pacific Railroad was started.

 

A.  We attribute our beginnings with President Abraham Lincoln who, in July 1, 1862, signed the Pacific Railway Act. From that single act on the part of  President Lincoln we have grown to serve a majority of the United States with 8000 locomotives and 44,000 employees.  We are the fifth oldest Fortune 500 Company on the New York Stock exchange.

 

Q.  In a snap-shot what is Union Pacific doing today?

 

A.  At any given time throughout the day we have 140 trains a day going through the state of Nebraska.  Our headquarters is Omaha and is where the original Continental line began.  Throughout the 32,000 route miles we have 1,200 trains operating during a 24 hour period.  We move goods that keep America alive.  Literally every part of this nation's survival depends on the moving of products like food, oil, gasoline, chemicals, trucks and automobiles and a thousand other items.  In the process we save energy doing it.

 

Q.  How  efficient is moving freight on the railroad?

 

A.  We can move 1 ton of freight 500 miles on one gallon of diesel. A single freight train can take 300 trucks off of our crowded highways and freeways.  There is no doubt about the fact that trains are the most efficient means of moving large volumes of freight.  Manufacturers and shippers recognize that fact and as a result our business continues to grow.

 

Q.  What kind of growth do you see for Union Pacific?

 

A.  This year alone we will invest in purchasing 100 locomotives at a purchase price of $2.5 million each unit.  That is a real job creator at General Electric and Caterpillar which manufactures our locomotives From the year 2000 to 2011 we invested $31 billion in upgrading equipment and infrastructure to better serve our customers and provided thousands of jobs for the nation.

 

Q.  What do you see for the future of your railroad?

 

A.  We will continue to grow in order to accommodate the demands of our country.  Currently, besides purchasing new locomotives, we are building new rail cars because of the increased orders.  In part we see a change in manufacturing returning to America from foreign markets.  This is a complete turnaround from what we have experienced in the past as manufacturers were seeking a cheaper labor force to the south and overseas.  If this trend continues it will only help to strengthen our country and the railroad will continue to see prosperous times.

 

As a footnote Troutdale has twenty-seven trains on average day pass through our city.  There is also a railroad bridge traversing the Sandy River.

 

Standing is Brock Nelson and with the microphone Robert Turner both with Union Pacific Railroad.