The agreement includes a 230-kilowatt rooftop solar system, high-efficiency HVAC replacements, and LED lighting upgrades throughout the facility. Budderfly covers the upfront investment and manages the system under its energy-as-a-service model, enabling immediate utility savings and better energy performance without adding workload to OEM’s internal teams.
OEM Controls, a family-owned business founded in 1966, manufactures electrohydraulic controllers for the construction, agriculture, and utility sectors. As co-president Keith Simons notes, “Aging infrastructure and rising energy costs are common challenges in manufacturing, and partnering with Budderfly is helping us address both head-on. By modernizing our systems, we’re proving that even mid-sized manufacturers can take decisive, cost-effective steps toward a more sustainable, resilient future.”
The upgrades also contribute to improved workplace comfort and reliability, aligning energy efficiency with day-to-day operational improvements.
Beyond physical upgrades, the partnership includes Budderfly’s data and monitoring platform, offering real-time visibility into energy use, savings, and emissions reductions. This added layer of insight is increasingly important for manufacturers facing stricter sustainability expectations from clients and corporate partners.
In an environment where energy-intensive manufacturing is difficult to decarbonize, having access to verified environmental performance data gives companies like OEM Controls an edge in securing contracts and meeting compliance requirements.
The Connecticut energy market is among the most expensive in the U.S., with commercial electricity rates reaching 23.34 cents per kilowatt-hour in May 2025—a 20% increase from the year prior. For OEM and other regional manufacturers, the rising cost pressure has made immediate efficiency gains not just beneficial, but necessary.
