NEWS ARCHIVE:

October 30, 2009 - We have just returned from a trip where we tested a new material - Sorted MSW (municipal solid waste).  This is a very exciting development!  MSW can be burned cleanly and safely in certain high temperature gasification furnaces, and is obviously far more desirable to burn it for heat and electricity rather than simply fill up a landfill with it.  Visit our new page, a list of feedstock materials, or contact us for more information!

August 11, 2009 - The Slugger prototype will be on display at Penn State's Ag Progress Days show in State College PA on August 18, 19 and 20.  Also, the Slugger will be featured at a booth at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur IL on September 1, 2 and 3.  We will be present at both events to answer questions.

April 10, 2009 - We have added new boilers to our list of systems capable of combusting briquettes - this is an exciting development!  Please see our briquette information page to view a list of these systems including manufacturer/distributor links for more information.  Be sure to check out the GARN WHS Hydronic Boiler for a great residential-sized multi-fuel boiler.

April 1, 2009 - We are now in "regular production" and are taking orders for Slugger 1500 and Slugger 2000 systems.  Please contact us with your requirements so we can build the right system for your needs.  Thank you all for your support and we look forward to working with you on your biomass densification needs! 

December 5, 2008 - We have sold some of the planned early production systems but we are still taking orders for more.  These early production systems are being sold at a 25% discount from our planned production price so reserve yours now to lock in this discount - the Slugger system will never be sold at this price again!  See the Slugger product page for more information and please contact us to inquire about ordering an early production system!

September 26, 2008 - We will now be offering the option between Slugger units that produce 1.5" diameter briquettes and 2" diameter briquettes.  The 2" version will have a higher throughput, and both versions of the Slugger will be available to order as pre-production systems.  Also, the Slugger product page has been updated with some estimates on the differences between these two versions.  Please contact us to inquire about ordering an early production system!

September 24, 2008 - We now have a video on the website, courtesy of WNEP TV's "The Power to Save" program.  It can viewed on the products overview page.

September 11, 2008 - We will be demonstrating our Slugger unit at the Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival and Energy Fair in Shelburne VT on September 20th.  If you are in the area please stop by and visit us to pick up a switchgrass briquette sample.

August 19, 2008 - Our first demonstration was successful and we would like to say thank you to all who attended.  For future demonstrations, we have decided to hold individual appointments, so please contact us today to make an appointment.  Appointments are generally available on weekdays Monday through Friday, but we may also be able to be accommodated weekend appointments.  We still have field test units available for order at an introductory price so hurry if you are interested in getting one!

August 11, 2008 - The final prototype machine is now ready for demonstration at our plant in Wyoming Pennsylvania.  The first demonstration will be held on Monday, August 18 at 2:00 PM.  We can only accept a limited number of attendees so please contact us to reserve your spot.  Don't worry if you can't make it because we will hold plenty of ongoing demonstrations on future dates.

Currently, we are taking orders for a limited number of pre-production machines at a significant discount.  These units will only be sold to selected individuals or groups that we feel have the capability to perform field testing and who can provide us with feedback on the functionality of the machine.  We will be able to upgrade these machines at a future date when everything has been perfected, and full production will begin as soon as this field testing is complete.  You can view our products page for further details about the Slugger fuel extrusion press.  Please come see a demonstration or contact us for further information.

June 19, 2008 - The slugger works!  Thanks to everyone who has supported us with words of encouragement!  We have finally had successful testing and have made good, hard and dense briquettes, and can do so predictably and consistently.  Our next step is to build a final prototype / pre-production machine that will be as close a possible to a production unit, which should take 4-6 weeks.  When this is complete we will send out an email to everyone on the list, as well as post here about the news, in order to invite everyone up for a demonstration of the machine's capabilities.  We will also post video on the website at that time (or perhaps sooner) and if you would like to order a machine (after we build the pre-production unit) we would be happy to start fabricating you one.  Keep in mind that when you order a machine we will require a 50% deposit prior to building it.

March 27 2008 - We are currently working on a briquette making machine as an alternative to our pellet mill technology.  If the design is workable, it should be available for sale by June of 2008.  Read about it at www.bhsenergy.com/slugger.htm.

March 27, 2008 - We are sorry to announce that due to the difficulties of developing such a complicated machine, we will no longer be able to offer our mobile pellet making equipment.  It is unknown at this time whether or not such equipment will be feasible in the future, however, we are instead offering a (we think) BETTER solution to biomass densification.  See our other news updates and new products page for details.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

January 10, 2008 - We are still on track for beginning production this spring.  Contact us if you would like to be added to our email list for product updates and to be notified of upcoming demonstration dates.

September 3, 2007 - The product demonstration for September 6 & 7 is cancelled.  Due to the nature of the prototype machine and its continued development, it is unfortunately not yet ready for demonstration.  We are sorry for any inconvenience and will send out another email update later this month when the prototype works to our satisfaction.

August 23, 2007 - We currently have a tentative schedule for a test/demonstration at our facility outside of Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania on September 6 and 7 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  If you wish to attend please R.S.V.P. by Contacting us with your desired date and the number of people who will be attending.  Directions will be sent to attendees.

July 13, 2007 - We are nearing completion of the prototype unit in time for Penn State's Ag Progress Days where it will be displayed.  We expect to begin taking orders in October but our production will be limited until we are able to grow to meet demand.  If you want to be notified of when we are taking orders or when we will be holding demonstrations, please Contact us.

May 31, 2007 - We are having setbacks but are confident that we will begin production by the end of this summer.  Initially we will require 1/2 the cost of the mobile pellet mill upon order and the balance will be due upon pickup with a 3 or 4 month lead time from order to delivery.

April 26, 2007 - We are on the front page of Wilkes-Barre PA's newspaper, the Times Leader!  Go to www.timesleader.com

April 4, 2007 - We are now teamed up with the Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D).  We are the recipients of a contract to develop and provide a mobile pelletizing unit to help produce switchgrass pellets for the Benton school district's new biomass boiler system.

April 2, 2007 - We are featured in the Spring 2007 North Branch Land Trust newsletter "The Horizon".