Kraft DC Becomes Largest Such Facility to be Certified LEED-CI Gold
Kraft Foods and ProLogis, an owner, manager, and developer of distribution facilities, said yesterday that Kraft's 800,000-square-foot distribution center near Chicago has been recognized for advanced environmental design by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a building industry nonprofit group that promotes sustainable development.
The distribution center, located in Morris, Ill. and developed by ProLogis, was completed in the first half of 2007 and is currently leased to Kraft. Together, the companies recently completed building improvements under the USGBC's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) for Commercial Interiors (CI) certification program. The building is now LEED-CI Gold certified and is the largest facility of its kind in the world to achieve this certification.
Kraft currently leases approximately 3.2 million square feet from ProLogis at locations throughout North America. This building is the company's first distribution center to receive LEED certification.
"We are thrilled to announce our first LEED-certified distribution facility," said David Klavsons, v.p. of logistics for Kraft. "This is a great accomplishment for our company and provides tremendous momentum for our future sustainability initiatives."
"The improvements made to the building in collaboration with Kraft helped it become our third distribution facility in the U.S. to receive LEED certification, and we are excited about the incitement it gives our green building efforts," said Jack Rizzo, managing director of global construction at ProLogis. "With nine additional warehouses currently submitted for certification review and 8.3 million square feet in the U.S. under design or construction to meet LEED standards, ProLogis continues to demonstrate its commitment to becoming the global leader in sustainable warehouse construction."
Specific elements of environmental design employed in the Kraft building include:
-- Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting with multi-level lighting controls, resulting in a 60 percent reduction in lighting energy usage;
-- HVAC ventilation system that improves air quality and reduces power consumption by 40 percent;
-- Extensive use of recycled and locally sourced materials during construction, with nearly 100 percent of construction debris diverted to recycling centers rather than landfills;
-- Use of wood-based construction materials harvested from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests totaling nearly 80 percent; and,
-- Interior paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission levels.
The distribution center, located in Morris, Ill. and developed by ProLogis, was completed in the first half of 2007 and is currently leased to Kraft. Together, the companies recently completed building improvements under the USGBC's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) for Commercial Interiors (CI) certification program. The building is now LEED-CI Gold certified and is the largest facility of its kind in the world to achieve this certification.
Kraft currently leases approximately 3.2 million square feet from ProLogis at locations throughout North America. This building is the company's first distribution center to receive LEED certification.
"We are thrilled to announce our first LEED-certified distribution facility," said David Klavsons, v.p. of logistics for Kraft. "This is a great accomplishment for our company and provides tremendous momentum for our future sustainability initiatives."
"The improvements made to the building in collaboration with Kraft helped it become our third distribution facility in the U.S. to receive LEED certification, and we are excited about the incitement it gives our green building efforts," said Jack Rizzo, managing director of global construction at ProLogis. "With nine additional warehouses currently submitted for certification review and 8.3 million square feet in the U.S. under design or construction to meet LEED standards, ProLogis continues to demonstrate its commitment to becoming the global leader in sustainable warehouse construction."
Specific elements of environmental design employed in the Kraft building include:
-- Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting with multi-level lighting controls, resulting in a 60 percent reduction in lighting energy usage;
-- HVAC ventilation system that improves air quality and reduces power consumption by 40 percent;
-- Extensive use of recycled and locally sourced materials during construction, with nearly 100 percent of construction debris diverted to recycling centers rather than landfills;
-- Use of wood-based construction materials harvested from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests totaling nearly 80 percent; and,
-- Interior paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission levels.