MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Treichel
Hoffman York
(414) 225-9554
mtreichel@hyc.com
– Focus on Energy awards Kerry Center $198,000 for energy efficiency measures –
MADISON, Wis. (April 2, 2009) – With its new Technical Center of Excellence now complete, the Ireland-based Kerry Group boasts an impressive campus in Beloit, Wis. The Kerry Center is a state-of-the-art customer innovation center housing customer application suites, research and development labs, culinary facilities, sensory services and a vast commercialization center dedicated to customer product commercialization. Through the new Kerry Center, customers have greater access to Kerry’s technologies, application teams and R&D expertise – all focused on helping develop innovative food and beverage products to market faster and with greater value.
The $60 million new-construction project, headed up by Milwaukee-based Gilbane Building Company, includes a pilot production plant, a research laboratory and a four-story office building. But what really makes the 120-acre campus a shining star – literally – is its high-performance green building standards, complete with a reflective roof to maximize energy savings. To boost its green building efforts, the Kerry Group received $198,000 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative.
By integrating energy efficiency measures throughout the design and construction process, the Kerry Center will save 2.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 23,000 therms of natural gas annually compared to a conventional building of its size. That’s enough energy to power 265 Wisconsin homes for one year. The campus will also save an estimated $195,700 on its energy bills annually.
“The project team worked hand in hand with Focus on Energy to find energy-saving solutions throughout the planning and construction process,” said Adam Jelen, project executive at Gilbane Building Company. “Focus was an integral part of the team and added value to the project, not only by bringing the sustainable component, but also a different perspective. I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”
Energy efficiency savings outside the facility start with a high-quality building shell that reduces heating and cooling costs by providing better insulation, walls, windows, doors and even a reflective roof.
The savings continue inside the facility with high-performance lighting, building mechanical and plumbing systems designed to minimize energy use. Together, these measures will reduce annual energy costs by 22 percent compared to a conventional building of this size.
“The Kerry Center is a shining example of the incredible energy savings that comes from high-performance green building,” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “Besides cost savings, the improvements will provide a more comfortable work environment for the company’s 650 employees, as well as increased staff productivity and more natural lighting.”
Focus on Energy helps businesses and residents across the state take advantage of energy-saving opportunities with customized solutions, financial incentives and technical expertise. Last year, Focus provided more than $970,000 in cash incentives to help businesses with their new construction projects. Compared to conventional buildings, high-performance green buildings can reduce energy costs by up to 40 percent and provide a superior indoor environment that improves employee productivity and morale. For more information about Focus on Energy’s Business Programs, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com .
About The Kerry Center
The Kerry Center, located in Beloit, Wis., serves as the Ireland-based Kerry Group’s new Technical Center of Excellence for the Americas region. Kerry Group is a leader in the global food ingredients and flavors markets, and a leading branded consumer foods processing and marketing organization in selected EU markets. Kerry Group employs some 20,000 people throughout its manufacturing, sales and technical centers across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Americas, and Asia Pacific. Kerry supplies over 10,000 food, food ingredients and flavor products to customers in more than 140 countries worldwide. The Group has manufacturing facilities in 19 different countries and international sales offices in 20 other countries across the globe. For more information, visit http://www.kerrygroup.com.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information, call (800) 762-7077 or visit http://www.focusonenergy.com.
