This article appeared in the Jul/Aug 2024 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

As they are advancing their businesses, manufacturers must take environmental regulations into account, and keep their eyes on current trends and future sustainability solutions. Analyzing these policies and implementing them can be time-consuming and complex, which is why the team at Butzel consults with manufacturers to help them identify issues and address them.

Founded in 1854, Detroit-based Butzel (formerly known as Butzel Long), has played a prominent role in the development and growth of several major industries. Butzel, a 16-year member of the MMA, includes a strong environmental energy and sustainability practice and one of its shareholders, Beth Gotthelf, currently serves as Chair of the MMA Environmental Policy Committee.

“I think one of the biggest needs of my manufacturing clients is to understand and stay on top of the ever-changing and complicated regulations, enabling the companies to remain in compliance,” says Gotthelf, who also is the firm’s Director of Innovation. “Most of our clients want to do the right thing. They want to be a responsible corporate citizen and comply with the laws as they run a successful business but, sometimes, it’s difficult, especially as you are trying to grow or diversify your business. We work with them and keep them informed so they can accomplish their goals.”

One Skill Everyone Should Have

Independent thinking and clear communication. That’s two things, but one leads to the other and both are instrumental to successful collaboration.

She says clients aim to be better stewards of the environment with goals of eliminating waste, reducing energy use and saving money.

“The less waste you generate, the less storage you need to hold that waste until it is disposed of off-site. The less wastewater you generate, the smaller the wastewater treatment system and less chemicals used,” she says as examples of environmentally clean policies companies use to save money.

“I help clients question what they’re doing to see if there is a way to do it better and more efficiently while saving money and still protecting the environment,” Gotthelf says. “I view my role as a partner. I try to get to know their businesses and what their aptitude is for risk and help guide them through all the landmines, as well as help them look at alternatives that might help them achieve their goals.”

Best Part of My Job

Helping clients become more successful; long-lasting professional relationships with my clients makes my job enriching.

Risk prevention and identification includes such things as cybersecurity solutions, suggesting physical safeguards, analyzing potential game-changing technology improvements, analyzing the continued relevancy and growth of the services provided and preparing for disasters, whether related to supply chain issues (e.g. bridge collapse), weather (e.g. floods or snowstorms) or accidents (e.g. tank exploding or chemical release) — all things Gotthelf has advised clients about.

As the Chair of the MMA Environmental Policy Committee, Gotthelf also serves as the voice of members regarding legislative policies related to environmental policies and actions. A current focus, among several others, is to create solutions for farmers to optimize and consolidate the use of anaerobic biodigesters, which prevent manure from entering waterways and food waste from going into landfills by transforming the manure and waste into renewable natural gas and fertilizer for the fields. Another focus is how to remediate contaminated sites in an affordable and practical manner, allowing the property to be reused safely. The committee is also focused on methods to efficiently close former underground storage tank sites that pose virtually no risk, and many more pending relevant topics.

Through its dedicated legal professionals, Butzel’s environmental energy and sustainability practice has been making an impact on businesses for many years — both through one-on-one consultations and by speaking up for the industry as a whole.

Butzel is an MMA Premium Associate Member and has been an MMA member company since May 2008. Visit online: butzel.com.