U.S. Fence, the Bulls Gap manufacturer, has received one of the 2008 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards.

U.S. Fence was one of 14 winners in various categories that will be honored during an awards cremony in Nashville on June 22.

The Bulls Gap plant, which has 625 employees, was praised for the major strides it has made in waste reduction.

The state's awards program made this announcement regarding U.S. Fence:

"U.S. Fence, Inc. is a leader in PVC and wood fencing and outdoor rail design and employs more than 500 people. The Hawkins County facility completed a major expansion to its physical plant and also made significant investments in its manufacturing operations.

"As production continued to grow, plant officials recognized their waste stream was increasing, too. U.S. Fence was disposing of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of solid waste annually, most of which could have been recycled.

"The company instituted new waste reduction and recycling processes and made informational signs, purchased collection bins and painted floors to reinforce the new process.

"More than a year into the comprehensive waste reduction and recycling program, the Bulls Gap plant is saving more than $450,000 annually through reduced tipping fees and offsetting revenues generated from recycling plastic, cardboard and PVC waste."

U.S. Fence in 2006 completed an $18.6 million expansion that has added about 103,000 square feet of space to its Bulls Gap manufacturing plant.

The expanded facility is on a 67-acre tract at 740 N. Main St. in Bulls Gap, located just west of the Greene County/Hawkins County line.

The Bulls Gap plant, which is owned by a Canadian company, has more than 500,000 square feet under roof.