Western Extralite's Best Idea Yet: Ã¢Â€ÂœGo GreenÃ¢Â€Â

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Green initiatives atWestern Extralite headquartersinclude(clockwise, from topleft): A solar electricgeneration system,wall-mounted outdoorLED lights, LED parkinglot lights, and a highefficiencyHVAC unit.Judging criteriatED magazine’s “Greenest of the Green” award was de signed to recognize an NAED distributor member company for implementingenergy-efficiency solutions in its own operations. The winning selection was based on the following criteria:• Corporate dedication to green. Does the commitment come from the CEO level? Is it part of the mission statement? Is itorganization-wide and conveyed as such? Have teams been put in place to further sustainability efforts?• Employee engagement and involvement. Are the employees actively engaged in green/sustainable habits? Does the companyencourage employee ideas and input? Does the company offer incentives for participating in green activities on a daily basis?• Positive effect on the bottom line. Are cost savings being realized as a result of green efforts? Are the savings sustainable?• Environmental im pact. To what degree have the company’s efforts changed its impact on the environment for the better?• Overall improvements to facilties. From lighting retrofits to LEED ac creditation, how much time, effort, and energy has thecompany dedicated to physically greening its facility?www.TedMag.com Apr. 12 • the ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR 67
tEDmagazine“GREENEST OF THE GREEN” 2012to be added to warehouse operations in 1995, how the nowroutinepractice of recycling office paper was put in place in2007, and how the company made the switch from paper toelectronic pay stubs in 2011.It’s also how PV ended up on the company’s rooftops: Asuggestion from Western Extralite’s Energy Solutions Groupresulted in a multisite solar installation completed in 2011.The bottom line: Employees play a pivotal role in operationsat Western Extralite. “We don’t have a formal greenorganizational structure,” noted Tom Isenberg, president,offering that the company’s commitment to sustainability iswoven into the corporate cultural fabric. For example, “green”is a standard agenda item at monthly meetings of operationsmanagers, who are encouraged to share best practices andupdates on their projects.“One of the things that I like about our efforts is that theyjust kind of bubble up. We’ve created a culture where peoplefeel free to offer their ideas,” Tom Isenberg noted. “I amproud of ev erybody involved in our winning the ‘Greenest ofthe Green’ award. It’s a wonderful thing for the company andfor the people who work here.”tED magazine isn’t the only organization to honor WesternExtralite for its leadership in the community and industry. InJune 2011, the Kansas City Business Journal presented West ern“GO GREEN” INITIATIVE SAVES ENERGY AND EXPENSETechnology kWh saved Dollars saved OtherSix rooftop solar systems, sixservice centers, 108 panels/systems (all in Missouri)During first six months:• Produced nearly90,000kWh (total for allsix facilities)• Reduced electric usageby approximately 19%During first six months(mostly fall and winter),saved nearly $10,000based on $0.11 per kWh• ROI approximately 15%• Payback five to six years• Equivalent to:✓ 1,600-plus treesgrown for 10 years✓ Nearly 150,000 carmilesLEED-certified service center,including occupancysensors in offices and warehouse,energy-efficient lightingand skylights, exteriorLEDs, high-efficiency heatingand cooling (Lawrence, Kan.)Energy consumption andcosts in 20,000-square-footbuilding are nearly equivalentto usage in former 12,000-square-foot locationN/A• Customer demonstrationand showcase• Better lighting in warehouseimproves safety andproductivityNew service center, includingsolar wall, daylight harvesting,energy-efficient lighting,oc cu pancy sensors(Manhattan, Kan.)Energy use in new 20,000-square-foot building isalmost same as in original10,000-square-foot facilityN/AImproved lighting in warehouseimproves safety andproductivityLED lighting retrofit andsensors in offices and warehouse(Kansas City, Mo.,headquarters)114,000kWh$12,500Improved lighting improvessafety and productivityLED exterior lighting retrofitand sensors (Kansas City,Mo., headquarters)27,000kWh$3,000Brighter, more even lighting,provides heightened securityFour high-efficiency HVACunits (Kansas City, Mo.,headquarters)40,000kWh$4,400Fleet management strategy(company-wide)N/AN/A• Use 25% to 30% less fuel• Improved customer service68 the ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR • Apr. 12 www.TedMag.com
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Western Extralite's Best Idea Yet: Ã¢Â€ÂœGo GreenÃ¢Â€Â

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Western Extralite's Best Idea Yet: Ã¢Â€ÂœGo GreenÃ¢Â€Â