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Norandex Honored to Receive Environmental Protection Agency's 2009 ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year Award

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 March 2009, 08:23 CST

HUDSON, Ohio, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Norandex Building Materials Distribution (www.norandex.com) and its parent company, Saint-Gobain, a 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award winner (www.energystar.gov). Norandex was recognized for its invaluable dedication to energy efficiency, energy management, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and its overall commitment to the ENERGY STAR program. Award winners were selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Norandex's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2009.

"We are extremely proud to accept this award," says Norandex President and CEO Brian Chambers. "Norandex is fully committed to providing energy-efficient, renewable/recyclable/sustainable products that are both environmentally friendly and provide our customers the opportunity to market Green products."

Norandex offers a spectrum of products that carry the ENERGY STAR label, denoting the kind of energy efficiency that should help homeowners control their utility bills. In addition, the company qualifies every product it sells through an internal corporate stewardship process that targets fitness for use and minimal environmental impact.

Norandex's commitment to the environment doesn't end with the products it stocks and sells, though. For example, the company's strategy also focuses on upgrading equipment specifications for both HVAC and lighting at its 150+ locations by negotiating these improvements into new lease agreements each year. Norandex is also developing general guidelines for building operation that its facilities can use to improve and sustain energy efficiency. Finally, Norandex expects its preferred suppliers to have an Environmental, Health & Safety Policy.

"EPA is pleased to recognize Norandex for leadership in addressing global warming through greater energy efficiency," says Kathleen Hogan, EPA's Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division. "Because commercial and industrial facilities account for about half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, Norandex's efforts are vital to protecting our global environment."

As a leading building products distributor with a fleet of trucks and other company vehicles all across the country, Norandex's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint goes far beyond the walls of its facilities. For example, the company has modified its vehicle specifications to include more fuel-efficient features such as automatic transmissions, high-efficiency diesel engines, and low rolling resistance tires. Further, Norandex has invested in GPS systems to improve overall efficiency by reducing engine idle time and optimizing routing.

"At Norandex, we believe that Green is good for the environment and good for business," says Chambers. "We are very excited and appreciative to be recognized as a 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. The bar has been set, and we will do everything we can to raise it even further each and every year."

Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved $19 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles.

The ENERGY STAR label is featured on major appliances, office equipment, lighting and home electronics, in addition to quality windows and doors. EPA also has extended the program to include new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

About Norandex Building Materials Distribution

Norandex Building Materials Distribution is one of the largest distributors of exterior siding, windows and doors in the United States. Headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, the company's core offerings also include manufactured stone, skylights, decking, columns, railings and other related accessories. Norandex operates approximately 150 branches in 39 states that stock, sell and service a comprehensive line of residential and light commercial building products to builders and contractors. Norandex is part of the Building Distribution Sector of Saint-Gobain, the world's largest supplier of building materials.

About Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain has annual sales of $64.4 billion and employs 209,000 worldwide. Based in Paris, the company has four global business sectors:

• Building Distribution
• Construction Products
• Innovative Materials
• Packaging

SOURCE Norandex Building Materials Distribution

Source: PR Newswire

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