Blue Sun gains quality honor

Sept. 21--Blue Sun gains quality honor

Blue Sun's St. Joseph biodiesel refinery recently earned a fuel production quality honor from the industry.

The company received BQ-9000 Producer status from the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission and National Biodiesel Board. Fewer than 50 companies have achieved the recognition.

The program is a combination of of the American Society for Testing and Materials standard for biodiesel -- known as ASTM D6751 -- and a quality systems program that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution and fuel management practices.

The Blue Sun process includes a biodiesel distillation step that further elevates fuel quality.

The firm's St. Joseph refinery is a $30 million-per-year facility. It established the first high-quality biodiesel specification. In 2004, it introduced the most advanced biodiesel under the brand Fusion.

Group plans visitors day

BNI, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals among members, is holding a Visitors Day for its St. Joseph Chapter.

The event is at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Pony Express Museum, 914 Penn St. Anyone interested in attending the meeting is welcome.

Call the chapter growth coordinator for reservations at 279-3499. For more information about BNI, please visit its website at www.bni.com.

Companies make working moms' list

Boehringer Ingelheim and Allstate Insurance were named to the 2014 Working Mother 100 Best Companies List.

Boehringer was awarded for outstanding leadership in establishing policies, programs and corporate culture that support working mothers, including child care, flexible work arrangements, paid parental leave and advancement of women.

Allstate was credited for offering nutritious meals in its company headquarters.

Company plans reunion event

Men and women who worked at the former St. Joseph Light & Power Co. will have their second-annual reunion Oct. 11. The event will be from 5:30 until 11 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4520 Mitchell Ave.

Food and beverages will be provided. Reservations are not required. There will be no charge, but donations will be accepted to help cover the cost of the event.

St. Joseph Light & Power Co. traced its roots to 1883, and it provided energy to Northwest Missouri for more than a century. At one time it had more than 400 employees. In addition to providing electricity, gas (in rural Northwest Missouri) and steam services, it also operated the bus system in St. Joseph for many years. It was acquired by the former Aquila on Dec. 31, 2000, and that company was later acquired by Kansas City Power & Light Co.

Additional information may be obtained from John Cathcart, 383-3707.

-- News-Press reports

___

(c)2014 the St. Joseph News-Press (St. Joseph, Mo.)

Visit the St. Joseph News-Press (St. Joseph, Mo.) at www.newspressnow.com/index.html

Distributed by MCT Information Services