Baldor Will Push ?Super-E? Motors

Starting July 1, Baldor Electric Co. of Fort Smith will add yellow EnergyGuide tags to all of its “Super-E” motors. The Fort Smith company plans to label motors with 125 different horsepower rankings with an explanation of how efficient motors save energy and money.

Ranging in price from $333 to nearly $13,000, the Super-E motors are Baldor’s most efficient products. The motor lines range from 1-500 horsepower.

EnergyGuide tags are part of an aggressive marketing plan to push the Super-E motors.

Baldor spokesman Charles Hubbard said sales of the premium motors are the fastest growing.

As part of the marketing strategy, Randy Colip, the Baldor vice-president of sales, recently visited California for a week-long presentation of the motors. With rolling blackouts, soaring energy costs and unreliable service, California is a growing market for the Super-E motors, Hubbard said.

Baldor also announced a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will help develop an Energy Star program for industrial motors. Energy Star is an EPA symbol that credits the most energy-efficient products on the market.