Contact: Jennifer Ryan, CPKR, 414-227-1533
Steve Heins. Orion Energy Systems, 920-892-9340
Energy Efficient Lighting Project Saves 1.78 Million Kilowatts Annually
August 19, 2004. Menomonee Falls, Wis. Arandell Corporation, a nationally recognized producer of top-quality direct-mail catalogs and marketing material, has received Orion’s Environmental Stewardship Award for the energy-efficient lighting project in its 425,000 square feet manufacturing facilities in Menomonee Falls, Wis. The company expects to save 1.78 million kilowatts hours (kWh) annually and 35.7 million kWh over the sustainable lifetime of the lighting fixtures. The project is being managed and supplied by Orion Energy Systems of Plymouth, Wisconsin.
In addition, the Wisconsin-based printer will take enough power off the electrical grid to provide enough electricity to power 204 homes or a bedroom community of over 906 people, according to the EPA formula.
The environmental impact of Arandell’s energy-efficient lighting project will decrease air pollution and environmental damage over the lifetime of Orion’s fixture, the Illuminator, by 26,702 tons of carbon dioxide, 7,282 tons of carbon, 98 tons of sulfur dioxide, 228 tons of nitrous oxides, and 4 pounds of mercury. This is the equivalent of saving 3.2 million gallons of gas or planting 6,533 acres of trees.
“This large act of sustainable reduction of electrical consumption by Arandell should serve as a blueprint for other companies in Southeastern Wisconsin, which is an EPA designated “severe non-attainment zone,”? stated Neal Verfuerth, President of Orion Energy Systems. “By presenting Arandell with the Environmental Stewardship Award, Orion wanted to highlight the fact that this energy efficient lighting project was good for everyone involved: It was good business, good employee relations and good environmentalism.”
On June 24, 2004, Neal Verfuerth, President of Orion Energy Systems, received one of Wisconsin’s most prestigious awards, Ernst & Young’s Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year. Recently, Orion has Received the 2004 Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air Award given by the Wisconsin DNR.
“This project became a slam dunk once we were able to see the utility meter spin in the side-by-side comparison between our old lights and Orion’s. There are very few projects where you have such tangible results,” commented David Treis, VP and General Manager of Arandell Corporation. “We were able to observe a 50% energy savings, while at the same time we were measuring 60% more light, plus we were getting better and more even light coverage through the entire plant. The new depreciation allowances for capital goods purchased in 2004 were also a hidden benefit.”
