Pratt & Whitney, a global leader in the aerospace sector, operates large-scale manufacturing facilities that are highly energy intensive. Despite having strong internal engineering and energy management practices, the company sought additional expertise through the Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) program to uncover further opportunities for cost reduction and sustainability gains. In October 2022, a team from Syracuse University’s ITAC conducted a no-cost, on-site assessment of one of Pratt & Whitney’s facilities.
The assessment team carefully reviewed major energy-consuming systems including compressed air, HVAC, and process equipment. Their evaluation produced a set of ten tailored recommendations designed to reduce energy costs, improve system performance, and enhance workplace reliability. Recommendations included scheduling adjustments, upgrading inefficient motors, and optimizing compressed air use. Collectively, these recommendations represented a significant opportunity for the facility to cut costs and improve operational efficiency.
If fully implemented, the recommendations would deliver approximately $185,000 in annual savings, with a combination of short- and medium-term paybacks. Beyond financial benefits, the improvements would reduce waste, strengthen sustainability performance, and demonstrate leadership in the aerospace industry’s ongoing shift toward more efficient, lower-carbon operations.
This case illustrates that even at facilities with advanced internal resources, external ITAC expertise can identify fresh opportunities for improvement. Pratt & Whitney’s assessment underscores the value of leveraging the ITAC program to capture additional savings and advance sustainability.