Contact:
Kathy Apotheker, North Star Public Relations, 616.233.9151
Steve Heins, Orion Energy Systems, 920-892-9340
Bob Kirby, Energy Business Services, 418-0259
May 3, 2004 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Orion Energy Systems is pleased to announce the completion of an energy-efficient lighting project at Paragon Die & Engineering. Paragon, a full-service mold partner for the injection-molding and compression-molding industries, has installed the lights in its manufacturing and distribution facilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The positive impact of the investment is threefold: on the environment, on the bottom line, and on the quality of the working environment.
By replacing their current lighting fixtures with the Illuminator, an energy-efficient, high quality equivalent made by Orion energy efficient lighting, Paragon expects to save 3.2 million kilowatts hours (kWh) annually and 64.7 million kWh over the sustainable lifetime of the fixtures. The project, managed and supplied Energy Business Services, will save the company $180,000 annually.
The environmental impact of these energy savings is significant. According to an EPA formula, the Michigan-based leader in service, technology and innovation for molding will take enough power off the electrical grid to provide enough electricity to power 500 homes or a bedroom community of over 2,250 people. The environmental savings is the equivalent of 5.9 million gallons of gas or planting 11,869 acres of trees.
“The reduction of electrical consumption by Paragon should serve as a blueprint for other companies, as they mitigate the need for future power plants while contributing to the bottom line,” stated Bob Kirby, president of Energy Business Services. “In addition to the 65 percent reduction in energy consumption, with the accompanying increasing light levels, Paragon has provided a better working environment for their employees.”
An emerging Wisconsin company, Orion Energy Systems has received the prestigious Spirit of Ecology Award at the 32nd Annual Governor’s New Product Award Program for the Illuminator. More recently, Orion received the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award winner for the Emerging Growth category by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award. In addition, Orion was chosen as a “Success Story” for the 2002 Governor’s Summit on Capital.
“Paragon Die & Engineering is committed to being a good environmental steward which is also important to our customers, who have a history of progressive business leadership,” said David Muir, a top executive at Paragon. “This particular project is especially important for our employees because the new lighting delivers more and better light and less shadowing.”
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About Paragon
Paragon Die & Engineering is a leading full-service mold manufacturer, offering mold design, rapid prototyping, aluminum tools, steel tools, and mold maintenance and repair services for the full breadth of the plastics processing industry. Please visit www.paragondie.com for additional information.
About Orion
Orion Energy Systems has been innovating in the energy business since 1996. The company recently won the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award in the Emerging Growth category, given by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Association, the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award, was chosen as a “Success Story” for the 2002 Governor’s Summit on Capital, and owns numerous patents.
Orion is an energy systems company, which manufactures and markets energy efficient lighting solutions for the manufacturing, distribution center, warehousing, commercial, school, and gymnasium market. Orion provides capacity displacement solutions for supply side management, transmission management, and demand side management for the electricity industry. For more information, visit the web site at www.oriones.com or call Stephen Heins, VP of Corporate Communication, Orion Energy Systems at 92-892-9340, ext. 226.
About Energy Business Services
Energy Business Service is a Wisconsin based national energy services company (ESCO) that specializes in lighting design and sales, demand side management, facility consulting and energy analysis. EBS provide turn-key solutions to energy saving projects from general contracting to financing.
