Market leadership in action: How Sightline Commercial Solutions outpaces competitors with EPDs

Winning more projects starts with transparency. Sightline Commercial Solutions created EPDs to get ahead of competitors, meet rising market demands, and position themselves as a preferred partner in the U.S. railing industry.Sightline Commercial Solutions is a manufacturer and provider of architectural railing, platforms, and stage-related solutions for sports venues, commercial facilities, live events, and theaters. It was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company embraces a practical approach to sustainability by prioritizing the use of locally sourced materials, often within the same region or even near project sites, to minimize environmental impact while delivering quality products.

"We’ve always been mindful of our environmental impacts, but as sustainability expectations continue to grow within our industry, we recognized the importance of proactively leading the effort."

— Matt Syring, Director of Project Planning at Sightline Commercial Solutions

In recent years, however, Sightline's team noticed that the conversations had shifted. Architects and general contractors have begun to incorporate sustainability requirements more frequently, driven not only by client expectations but also by new regulations in several states. Large construction projects increasingly need to demonstrate that materials and systems meet higher environmental standards. Sightline saw this as an opportunity to proactively lead and align with the evolving demands of the industry. 

How are EPDs used as a strategic differentiator?

The team recognized that environmental product declarations (EPDs) would become a vital part of staying competitive. By verifying the environmental impacts of its products, Sightline could provide the transparency that architects and developers were increasingly demanding while standing out in an industry where few U.S. railing manufacturers have made similar moves.

With that goal in mind, Sightline’s leadership began researching the best way to create EPDs for their product lines. After comparing providers, they chose the One Click LCA EPD Generator. The team was convinced by One Click LCA’s combination of user-friendly tools and expert guidance.

“Now, when we go to an architect’s office to talk about upcoming projects, we’re able to present our existing EPDs as proof of our commitment to sustainability. It gives them added confidence in choosing us as a partner on projects as we’ve already done the work.” 

— Matt Syring, Director of Project Planning at Sightline Commercial Solutions

What are the benefits of using One Click LCA? Expert support and guidance

For a team without an extensive background in life-cycle assessments, the process felt manageable thanks to One Click LCA’s expert consultants, who guided Sightline's team step by step, helping them understand how to map their products, collect the right data, and navigate the software to publish EPDs.

“One Click LCA's customer support team was really helpful in getting us to understand the software, the process, and the steps needed. There was some homework, but it was well-structured, and once we completed the first EPD, the next ones were much easier. The software itself was intuitive, and it’s improved even more in the time since we started.”

— Matt Syring, Director of Project Planning at Sightline Commercial Solutions

So far, Sightline has published EPDs for its line of Aluminum Guardrail and Aluminum Handrail products. By the time the first EPD was complete, the team felt confident and prepared to handle additional products more efficiently. 

Publishing verified EPDs has delivered immediate benefits. Today, when Sightline bids on projects, the sustainability conversation is no longer an obstacle or secondary concern, it’s a distinctive competitive advantage.

In addition to the direct business advantages, Sightline’s published EPDs are now featured in One Click LCA’s Materials Compass — the world’s largest construction LCA database. This means their products are visible to thousands of monthly active users, including architects, engineers, and specifiers who rely on the platform to find low-carbon materials for projects. By being part of this curated ecosystem, Sightline ensures its verified, sustainable products are placed directly in front of the right buyers at the right moment in the design and procurement process.

How to set a carbon baseline for future improvements?

When Sightline Commercial Solutions developed their first EPD, it was more than a compliance exercise. It was a chance to understand their product carbon footprint. While the company has always valued sustainability, it didn’t have a way to quantify its impact. Now, with transparent data powered by One Click LCA, Sightline can pinpoint which parts of its product lines have the greatest environmental impact and plan future improvements. As sustainability requirements continue to evolve, Sightline is well-positioned to empower architects, specifiers, and builders to make informed, greener choices with confidence.

How can other manufacturers create EPDs with the EPD Generator?

One Click LCA's EPD Generator tool offers an end-to-end solution for manufacturers who need to create environmental product declarations (EPDs) compliant with TRACi, global ISO, and EN standards. With this tool, users can perform unlimited life-cycle assessments (LCAs) and generate EPDs for any product category. Additionally, the EPD Generator provides the flexibility to create customer-specific private EPDs and TM65-compliant calculations.