Leviton CEO Shares "Green Building" Experiences at NAED's National Electrical Leadership Summit
Sheds Light on LEED Certification Process
Little Neck, NY, June 1, 2009 -- Leviton Company President and CEO, Donald J. Hendler, joined with executives from three other leading electrical industry companies at the 2009 NAED National Electrical Leadership Summit to discuss the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification process in an up close and personal way. Instrumental in helping large commercial facilities qualify for the eco-friendly certification through its sustainability product installations, Leviton recently invested a tidy sum in ensuring that its new Melville, New York global corporate headquarters complex will stand as a showcase for a high-performance green building with a low carbon footprint.
In a roundtable panel presided over by green-building expert Jerry Yudelson, Hendler discussed the18-month-long renovation project and various aspects involved in converting the 4-story, 140,000-square foot building into a showcase for Leviton's corporate sustainability initiatives. Scheduled to be fully operational on June 15th, when the last wave of Leviton's New York-area employees transitions from Little Neck, Queens, the new headquarters complies with all six LEED program categories. The categories include: the use of sustainable materials and resources; design excellence; indoor air quality; site sustainability; water efficiency; and energy & atmosphere.
During the 75-minute session, Hendler enumerated various project objectives and cited that the 90% of all on-site office equipment, appliances and fixtures in the new building are Energy-Star® rated. Water and air quality conservation, two significant project goals, were achieved through the installation of low-flow fixtures on sinks and water-conserving toilets, and the use of low-emitting materials and chemicals in carpets, paints and other building materials. The facility's water-restrictive fixtures will reduce water usage by roughly 30%. Another important project objective was the use of recycled products. Furniture constructed from recycled materials, a Styrofoam-free cafeteria, recycling bins throughout the building and the use of recycled paper products where possible, will spare trees and reduce landfill volume.
Employee comfort was high on the list of project imperatives and was a key focus. Ergonomic keyboard trays, chairs and monitor placements combine to create an environmentally-friendly workplace. These amenities in conjunction with Leviton's daylight harvesting system, which maximizes ambient lighting and reduces the need for artificial illumination, will enhance comfort and reduce eyestrain.
Allocated parking spots for hybrid vehicles add incentives for employees to consider these fuel- efficient alternatives with their next automobile purchase. A company-sponsored van pool and outdoor bike rack promote alternative transportation methods. 20% of the building materials were sourced from recycled materials -- a sizable percentage for a renovation project, and 50% of all construction debris at the project site was recyclable.
Noting that the additional 3-5 % cost premium in designing an eco-friendly building was well worth the investment, Hendler recently commented, "Practicing what you preach is essential to maintaining lasting credibility in the marketplace."
About the NAED Summit
Each year, the National Electrical Leadership Summit (formerly NAED Annual Meeting) joins electrical distributors, manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives and technology organizations together under one roof. The 2009 conference was held in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, contact Leviton Manufacturing, www.leviton.com
