Cirtronics proudly unveils its “Re-Circuitree” – an artistic tree crafted from recycled materials used in its manufacturing processes. The name is both a play on words relevant to its business (re-circuit, circuitry) and pays homage to the recycled nature of the piece. This tree symbolizes Cirtronics’ evolution and ideals, demonstrating the team’s collaboration and adaptability in transforming ideas into reality.
The year-long project began as an abstract concept by Cirtronics’ employee-owner, Matt Duchesne, who envisioned using wooden pallets to create some form of tree. The idea evolved with contributions from various departments, leading to a company-wide effort to gather materials like scrapped printed circuit boards (PCBs), wire harnessing, cables, and chassis. The three-month construction phase saw dedicated volunteers bring the project to life, while the wooden pallets became the physical base, with six panels representing Cirtronics’ Quality Policy of the “6 We Serve” mounted using French Cleats.
Cirtronics’ environmental commitment shines through this project, transforming waste into art. Importantly, no products were intentionally scrapped, and controlled materials were excluded, protecting customer inventory integrity. “This was all trash. This was all stuff that we produce here that just goes out to waste, so we took that and made it into something that represents Cirtronics… Our roots of Who We Are and What We Do, and the result is a piece of art that is indicative of Cirtronics,” Duchesne said.
Trees hold special meaning for Cirtronics’ employee-owners, inspired by Founder Gerardine Ferlins’ love of Shel Silverstein’s ‘The Giving Tree,’ which reflects the company’s culture of serving. “The Giving Tree, philosophically, portrays the essence of who we are at Cirtronics. For us, every day, our essence is to help each other. If someone needs help, we step up. It’s how we give of ourselves to each other,” Ferlins explained. The company’s ROOTS (Respect, Optimism, Opportunity, Togetherness, and Strength) are symbolized by the tree.
“People often ask me ‘Was this what I envisioned?’ and to be honest, the answer is Yes and No,” Duchesne said with a smile. “You have this idea, and you present it… you work with a team and that team supports you and you grow with it, and the idea changes and fluctuates. And you learn along the way.”
This project highlights Cirtronics’ tradition of showcasing the unique talents of its employee-owners and the power of collaboration. The culture of serving reflected in this art piece is the foundation of Cirtronics’ business – it is personal, collaborative, and engaging – while the symbolism of all components working together in harmony echoes the company’s relationships with its customers and partners.
A second phase is currently underway to display Cirtronics’ values around the facility, using recycled elements to complement the tree and inspire employees and visitors about the core identity of Cirtronics.
