First of its kind in Charlotte Area

Charlotte, North Carolina – November 29, 2010 – On November 1, 2010, WESCO Distribution, Inc.’s Charlotte branch was awarded the LEED^® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the first such designated industrial warehouse building in Charlotte. The LEED certification program, which accelerates the global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices, recognizes WESCO’s Charlotte facility for achieving the required building performance requirements in areas such as construction materials, water conservation, energy usage, and building maintenance.

WESCO’s branch obtained the LEED Gold Certification through close collaboration with third-party consultants, Beacon Partners, Intercon Building Corporation, and Merriman Schmitt Architects. WESCO’s employees also played an important role in helping WESCO achieve LEED Gold Certification by recommending ways to reduce their carbon footprint and by adopting new practices related to recycling, operations, green maintenance supplies, and documentation.

WESCO celebrated its new branch opening at an open house, held on September 29, 2010, which provided customers and suppliers an opportunity to see the facility. The 92,842 square foot warehouse and distribution center includes faucets with low-flow aerators, ENERGY STAR^® appliances, and interior occupancy and motion light sensors – each designed to help reduce excessive energy use. Preferred hybrid vehicle parking has also been added to promote usage of fuel efficient vehicles.

Region Vice President and General Manager Rich Gallo says, “We are quite proud that our Charlotte facility is the only LEED Gold Certified warehouse facility in the city. Our customers, which include electrical and industrial contractors, were aware of the LEED programs, but unsure how to start the process in their own facilities. Our Sustainability Planning service, one of our LEAN Value Creation Solutions, helps customers identify opportunities and implement solutions to earn LEED points.”

Lighting suppliers, including Cooper, Hubbell, Philips, and Advance, were influential in helping WESCO obtain LEED certification by providing energy efficient products such as lighting fixtures, wallmount occupancy sensors, lamps, and ballasts inside the newly constructed warehouse.

Beacon Partners CEO, Pete Lash commented, “Beacon is very pleased with WESCO’s recent LEED Gold certification at 77 Overlook. Our Company is committed to providing sustainable and functional solutions for our clients, and this project stands as a great example of how the landlord and tenant (not to mention the community) win when it all comes together. Credit belongs with our entire design and construction team – Merriman Schmitt Architects, InterCon Building Corporation – as well as the development and construction leaders from WESCO and within Beacon.”

For more information about WESCO and the Charlotte Branch Warehouse, please visit www.wesco.com.

Tags: Charlotte, Green, LEED certified, LEED gold certification