Orion Energy Systems: Fastenal’s Atlanta’s Distribution Center Saving 6.7 Million kWh
5/13/2004

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Steve Roembke, Fastenal, 404-344-0896
Steve Heins, Orion Energy Systems, 920-892-9340, ext. 226

So Impressed Fastenal Now Sell Energy Efficient Lighting to Its Industrial Customers

Plymouth, WI and Atlanta, GA – Fastenal, one of the fastest growing full-line industrial distributors and one of the largest fastener distributors in the nation, has completed an energy efficient lighting project in Atlanta that would be the equivalent of saving 1,238 acres of trees, removing 956 cars from the road, or saving 613,335 gallons of gasoline over the life of the fixtures. Fastenal is installing approximately 200 innovative and environmentally friendly lighting fixtures called The Illuminator from Orion Energy Systems of Plymouth, Wisconsin.

Fastenal is saving 337,334 kWh per year and 6.7 kWh over the lifetime of the energy efficient lighting in Indianapolis alone. In the Atlanta distribution center, Fastenal is installing motion sensors, which is expected to save an addiitonal15 or 20% when completed.

Fastenal’s service-oriented business network currently includes an in-house Manufacturing Division, a product Quality Assurance and Engineering Department, a strategic system of 12 Distribution Centers in the U.S., a fleet of over 275 company-owned semi-trucks and trailers and over 1300 Store sites.

“We have already installed Orion’s energy efficient lighting fixtures in our Manufacturing Center and Distribution Center in our headquarters in Winona, MN,” stated Steve Roembke, Southeast Regional VP of Fastenal. “We also completed installation in our Indianapolis Distribution Center recently.” Fastenal expects to retro-fit its remaining distribution centers by the end of 2004, which will increase the amount of kilowatts Fastenal will save significantly.

Overall, Fastenal will save over 3.35 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and 67 million kWh over the life of the Orion fixtures. Along with that, Fastenal will reduce electricity demand by over 382.5 KW, which is enough electricity to power 382 homes. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, will be reduced by 50,256 tons. Carbon will be reduced 13,705 tons. Sulfur dioxide will be reduced by 185 tons. Nitrogen oxide, also a greenhouse gas, will be reduced by 428 tons. In addition, mercury will be reduced by 8 pounds, according to EPA formulas.

“We now have more and better light and energy savings in our own manufacturing facility and four of our distribution centers,” said Mr. Roembke. “In fact, Fastenal was so impressed with Orion’s energy efficient lighting technology that we have started selling Orion’s lighting systems to all of our customers throughout the U.S. including here in Georgia,”

Plus, the environmental impact is huge, because we are using 67 million fewer kWh. Over the life of the Orion fixtures, Fastenal’s energy efficient lighting projects are the equivalent of planting 12,295 acres of trees or saving 6.1 million gallons.”

Orion’s innovative Illuminator has earned several U.S. patents and recently won Wisconsin’s prestigious Spirit of Ecology Award and Manufacturer of the Year Award. It provides a full-spectrum light while using far less energy than standard fixtures. Using T8 fluorescent bulbs and electronic ballasts, the Illuminator is a fixture that harvests all three hundred and sixty degrees of light using reflector logic and redirects it into the workspace. Full spectrum lighting is the equivalent of sunlight at high noon and is used for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) treatment.

“I congratulate Fastenal on adopting this environmentally friendly technology, which proves once again that they are a leader and an innovator in the retail industrial sector,” said Neal Verfuerth, Orion’s President. “Through this nation-wide energy efficient lighting project, they are making a tangible impact on Atlanta’s and the nation’s environment by saving millions and millions kWh, especially when they start selling and installing Orion’s energy efficient lighting systems in their customers facilities.”