Wausau Window and Wall Systems: Wausau’s manufacturing center earns LEED-Silver certification

Wausau, Wis. — Wausau Window and Wall Systems’ new manufacturing center was awarded LEED® Silver, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. LEED, an acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

The company’s 370,000-square-foot manufacturing center and office building completed construction in September 2008. The building was designed by Somerville, Inc. of Green Bay, Wis., and constructed by Miron Construction Co., Inc. of Neenah, Wis. Located on 51 acres at 7800 International Drive in Wausau, Wis., the facility expands and improves development in this area, while preserving and enhancing the natural environment.

“Building owners, architects and contractors are looking more closely at the manufacturing practices and facilities that produce the materials contributing to their projects’ performance, durability and other green attributes. Increasingly, they are seeking manufacturers who walk the walk,” says Wausau’s president, Rick Marshall. “We continually review our operations for opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce waste and expand upon our existing, green business practices.”

“When Wausau Window and Wall Systems decided to pursue LEED certification for their new facility, it made a strong statement about their commitment as an organization to reducing their environmental footprint,” says Mike Schmid, project manager for Miron. “As one of Wisconsin’s leading manufacturers of building construction materials, Wausau should be extremely proud of the team effort that went into designing, constructing, and certifying their LEED Silver certified facility. Miron is honored to be a partner of Wausau’s. They have a great story to share regarding the long-term benefits of ‘greening’ their building as a leader in their industry.”

According to USGBC, newly constructed buildings rated LEED-Silver have demonstrated 32% energy savings compared to national averages. Green and LEED-rated buildings also have shown reductions in carbon emissions by 35%, water use by 50%, and construction waste by 50%. Multiple studies have documented measurable benefits for improved daylighting, natural ventilation and indoor air quality in buildings including reduced illness and absenteeism, and productivity of gains of up to 16%.

“In the design process, it was extremely important to include staff input to achieve the overall goal of increasing productivity, eliminating redundancies, and improving safety within a satisfying work environment. Our goal was to transcend the typical manufacturing facility stigma and create a campus feel that reflected both the advanced technology of the manufactured products within and the sustainable philosophies of this progressive client,” says Larry LePage, AIA, of Somerville Inc. Architects and Engineers. “Thanks to the LEED innovations, we were able to set the facility on the site without disturbing the woods or natural wetlands. We are proud of the final outcome, as the design fulfilled all programmatic goals, staying within budget without sacrificing aesthetics or the important goal of becoming an earth-conscious, LEED-certified facility.”

Helping achieve these benefits, Wausau’s new manufacturing center showcases energy-efficient and sustainable building products manufactured by Wausau Window and Wall Systems and its sibling businesses — Linetec, Tubelite and Viracon. <http://www.wausauwindow.com/green/index.cfm?page=greenProducts&sub=manufacturing>

Design features, materials and construction practices contributing to Wausau’s green manufacturing facility include: * Spectrally selective Viracon VRE and VE glass to reduce glare and maximize daylighting benefits * Thermal barrier Wausau window and curtainwall frames to resist condensation and reduce conductive heat loss * Dependable Tubelite entrances and storefront to integrate seamlessly with Wausau SuperWall creating a striking and functional lobby * Protective Linetec fluropolymer paint finishes to deliver years of colorful beauty * Low-flow plumbing fixtures with valves and sensors to conserve water use * High-efficiency HVAC to use air compressor waste heat * “Cool,” white roof systems to reduce heat island effect, * Insulated, high-speed, overhead doors with air curtains to help save energy * Tri-level lighting, with high-efficiency T8 lamps, ballasts and occupancy sensors, to reduce waste heat and energy while ensuring optimal illumination for fabrication and office tasks * Exterior lighting designed to prevent light pollution, * Natural landscaping and storm water management to protect habitat and maximize open space * Alternative transportation accommodations for low-emissions vehicles and bicycles

Whenever possible, recycled and regional materials also were used throughout the facility. In addition, nearly 80% of site waste was recycled during the yearlong construction. Wausau continues its commitment to recycling in the office and on the production floor. Furthermore, the company employs Six Sigma methodologies and processes for quality-conscious, waste reduction including lower resource consumption and lower emission generation.

Green buildings also are designed for durability and longevity. Wausau anticipates this facility will last 50 years, while remaining flexible to continued improvements in production practices. Marshall adds, “We are proud to provide a comfortable, safe working environment for our employees, as well as an energy-efficient, environmentally sound, manufacturing center that will serve our customers for many decades.”

“The strength of USGBC has always been the collective strength of our leaders in the building industry,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of U.S. Green Building Council. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role of the building industry in that effort, Wausau Window and Wall Systems demonstrates their leadership through their LEED certification of its new manufacturing center.”

To learn more about Wausau’s LEED-Silver facility and its innovative, green business practices, products and tools, please visit http://www.WausauWindow.com <http://www.WausauWindow.com> or call 877-678-2983.

About U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

About LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation. For more information, visit http://www.usgbc.org.

About Wausau Window and Wall Systems

Nationally recognized for its innovative expertise, Wausau Window and Wall Systems is an industry leader in engineering window and curtainwall systems for commercial and institutional construction applications. For more than 50 years, Wausau has worked closely with architects, building owners and contractors to realize their vision for aesthetic beauty, sustainability and lasting value, while striving to maintain the highest level of customer service, communication and overall satisfaction. Wausau is a part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., a publicly held, U.S. corporation.

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Media contact for Wausau Window and Wall Systems: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwestpr.com