June 30, 2025

Focus Energy Efficiency Excellence Award – Congrats Ahlstrom!

Congratulations to Ahlstrom Thilmany on their Energy Efficiency Excellence Award from Focus on Energy! The award celebrates the Kaukauna facility’s multi-year commitment to smart energy use, process innovation, and community contributions.

Over the past eight years, KU has been proud to partner with Ahlstrom on energy efficiency initiatives that now save the plant more than 14.2 million kilowatt-hours annually – a powerful example of what collaboration can achieve.

“At Kaukauna Utilities, we believe in partnering with our customers to use energy efficiently and sustainably,” said Michael Avanzi, General Manager at Kaukauna Utilities. “Over the years, no customer has exemplified this better than Ahlstrom’s Thilmany Mill. We are proud to be their electric service provider and community partner and applaud them for this remarkable achievement.”

View the full press release from Focus on Energy here.

Pictured:

Frank Barth, Energy Services Manager, WPPI Energy
Mayor Anthony (Tony) Penterman, City of Kaukauna
Michael Avanzi, General Manager Kaukauna Utilities
Chris Williams, Ahlstrom Thilmany Plant Manager
Richard Peterson, Maintenance & Engineering Manager, Thilmany Plant
David Leeder, Ahlstrom Thilmany Project Engineer, Energy
Tim Hasbargen, Focus on Energy, Energy Advisor
Commissioner Marcus Hawkins, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Erin Soman, Focus on Energy Managing Director