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Business View Magazine
64 Business View – October
Energy
Within two years, the Kings were approached by a
Japanese businessman, Soichiro Yoshida, who owned
about more than two dozen Kentucky Fried Chicken
franchise operations in Nagano, Japan. Yoshida
contracted the company to build a plant in Nagano.
After completion, Pacific Biodiesel built a facility in
Honolulu with twice the capacity of the original plant,
and 12 more plants throughout the United States have
followed.
The community-based biodiesel production model
has not only helped alleviate the environmental hazards
of dumping waste oils, but has also helped diminish
demand for fossil fuels and created quality local jobs.
The company has invested significantly in research and
development, resulting in technology and efficiency
innovations. It’s also shared intelligence with other
companies, contributing both to the improvement of
their own products and the overall betterment of the
industry.
“Our vision of success wasn’t always focused on
the net bottom line, and sometimes you have to
have a different definition of success,” Kelly King said.
“If you can benefit the community, if you can make a
difference in the world, if you maintain your principles
and develop a reputation as a doer with integrity, that’s
a huge payback. And if you can make a living at it, it’s like
winning the lottery.”
Big Island Biodiesel Facility
Manager, Luke Frank, working at
the Keaau Plant
Pacific Biodiesel President Robert
King gives a tour
Oil is contained in these seed pods from the
camelina plant.
Plant Operators working at the Big Island
Biodiesel Plant
