About Aftan Sustainability Consultants
839 Alleghenyville Road Mohnton, PA 19540-7708
Tel. 610-914-1356 email: lpeterson@aftan.com
Mission Statement and Core Values
- Delivering on Our Promises;
- Driving Continuous Improvement;
- Providing Innovative Solutions; and
- Winning Together
What We Do and How We Help Your Business
- Aftan Engineering, LLC is a Pennsylvania company.
- The licensed professional principal in responsible charge for professional engineering services is Lisa A. Peterson, Ph.D., PE, MBA.
- The company offers many consulting services that do not require a professional engineering license such as
- Sustainability;
- ISO 14001 Certification and Maintenance;
- Lean Six Sigma;
- Continuous Process Improvement (Manufacturing Optimization);
- Supply Chain Management; and
- 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) Services.
While we can still support the electrical engineering services that we previously supported, we feel that there is an even greater need to support sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives. From our years on manufacturing floors, we realize that the regular staff of a company is tied up in day-to-day challenges, pressured to try this and try that in addressing problems.
While the “try this, try that” process gives the appearance of activity, it is not necessarily forward movement, and it can leave big savings on the table because of not having time to identify the root cause accurately and properly address the issues. To maximize the savings opportunities, a data-driven process to truly identify the root cause is critical.
Similar to the data-driven process of a lean six sigma program for continuous and breakthrough improvement, sustainability assessment is also a data-driven process. Sustainability, by definition, offers solutions that meet today’s needs without compromising the needs of future generations and covers the domains of the environment, the economy, and society.
With the busy schedules of employees, it can be difficult to dedicate the time needed to do these well. Having been through numerous ISO 9001 and 14001 audits, we remember the stress of knowing what was desired to do while realizing the time available to do it. Then with the ISO14001:2015 standard came the “Shall” language for life cycle thinking. Getting third-party assistance can be a wise investment.
While incorporating Life Cycle Thinking into an Environmental Management System does not require a formal Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), the learning associated with the Life Cycle Impact Assessment results in significant environmental, economic, and societal benefits. A true LCA involves complex datasets and complex software.
For many companies, LCA is not something they would do daily. If it’s not a tool in your routine toolbox, employees will spend time relearning each time they touch it. And if it’s not done correctly, the results will be incorrect; although it may not be apparent that it is incorrect.
Life cycle thinking, without a data-driven process like LCA, relies on tribal knowledge which might also be incorrect. Tribal knowledge informs us on how to do things because that’s how we've done them in the past or that’s what we believe about a certain topic.
In summary, Aftan Engineering is well-positioned to handle your Sustainability and Continuous Improvement challenges.
Aftan Engineering - Ownership
Aftan Engineering was founded in 1996 by Karl E. Peterson, PE. He had a career with AT&T Western Electric as an electrical engineer for over 30 years and wanted to continue to help manufacturing companies with automation challenges including robotics and vision systems, control systems for pipe swaging and printing press paper handling, crosstalk measurements for communication cables, and various timing system solutions. Together with his wife, Anna Mae, they ran Aftan Engineering Services Corporation for 22 years.
Lisa A. Peterson, Ph.D., PE took ownership of Aftan Engineering in 2019 with a focus on continuous improvement and sustainability.
Lisa worked for AT&T Bell Laboratories as an electrical engineer, serving as an integrated circuit designer, manufacturing engineer, engineering manager, and various other leadership roles, leaving AT&T in 2001.
From there, she worked with two venture-funded pre-IPO companies in the Lithium Niobate electro-optics industry. She became increasingly interested in the environmental impact of manufacturing operations, development and the built infrastructure of society.
She completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, building on the MBA and Master’s in Electrical Engineering earned earlier in her career. Her research focus was on sustainability assessment of storm water management in site development projects, analyzing the life cycle impact of various alternatives from an environmental and economic perspective, as well as studying the social aspect.
Aftan Engineering – The Name and Logo
We leverage the skills and knowledge of decades of experience to bring effective and efficient solutions. Having experience and reflecting back on that experience is the strength that Aftan Engineering brings to your company.
Lisa Peterson, Ph.D., PE, MBA is the President of Berks County-based Aftan Engineering. Lisa is a uniquely qualified professional
- Sustainability Consultant;
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultant;
- Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Consultant;
- ISO 14001 Certification Expert; and
- Continuous Process Improvement Consultant.
Lisa's qualifications include a
- Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering;
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification;
- 30 years' engineering experience; and
- has held high-level management positions.
From this thought process, an approach of having backup plans is key to the success of the problem. This technique has allowed her success where others fail.
Lisa has instilled in me values and techniques by leading by example. Her drive and resolve are hard to keep up with. She is a role model for others to follow.
Lisa’s ethics are second to none often putting in more work and time than her peers. She knows hard work is the key to success. She knows her resources to help her accomplish tasks in a timely manner. Obstacles are not an issue and are deemed part of the solution process. Rather than let these get in the way, Lisa leverages them to find multiple solutions to the problem.
From this thought process, an approach of having backup plans is key to the success of the problem. This technique has allowed her success where others fail.
Lisa has instilled in me values and techniques by leading by example. Her drive and resolve are hard to keep up with. She is a role model for others to follow.
Lisa’s ethics are second to none often putting in more work and time than her peers. She knows hard work is the key to success."
Mark H., Engineering and Production Manager
Sinking Spring, PA 04/14/19