ACME MARKETS GREENEST GROCER IN PENNSYLVANIA
First Pa. Supermarket Slated for LEED Certification Credits Lighting by Amerlux
FAIRFIELD, N.J., Dec. 16, 2008 – For one recently completed Acme Markets store in Glen Mills, Pa., being a green grocer now goes well beyond the produce section. Thanks to environmentally friendly building practices and the incorporation of energy-efficient lighting from Amerlux, a premier provider of professional lighting solutions, the Glen Mills store is slated to become the first LEED Certified supermarket in the state, possibly earning a Silver LEED Certification designation as well.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council. A key component Acme Markets’ achievement in this category is the inclusion of more than 30 percent of its lighting from Amerlux in the new 54,000-square-foot building.
“Lighting is a first, and critical, component in creating a green environment. With the advent of cutting-edge technologies, new lighting serves as a cost-savings center while contributing to the reduction of a supermarket’s carbon footprint,” explained Chuck Campagna, president and CEO of Amerlux. “At Amerlux, we marry efficient lighting solutions together with a savvy merchandising approach our clients sincerely appreciate.”
According to the U.S. Green Building Council no other grocery store in the state has achieved LEED Certification or is currently registered to qualify for the designation. Attaining this designation will also be a first for the Acme Markets’ chain for its new store construction.
The Glen Mills Acme employs Amerlux products for all of the store’s ambient/accent lighting. Featured in the produce area is the new Cylindrix II LED track fixture. The Cylindrix II LED offers a high output, 20w warm white LED cluster that provides high impact lighting with no projected heat or UV which is ideal for produce. Mercury free and with a rated life in excess of 50,000 hours, Cylindrix II LED dramatically reduces the cost and waste associated with typical fixture maintenance.
“We want to use this building to demonstrate the environmental innovations that are possible with today’s technology. We have installed plaques throughout the store to educate our customers about our green initiatives,” explains Judy Spires, president of Acme. “In addition, green buildings bring together a vast array of practices and techniques to reduce and ultimately eliminate the impact of buildings on the environment and human health.”
About Amerlux
Amerlux manufactures architectural grade, energy efficient lighting solutions for the retail, supermarket, hospitality, and commercial markets. Amerlux products utilize the latest in light source and electronic ballast technology that, when combined with the company’s core competency in luminaire and optic design, provides just the right light for the application with the least energy consumed. The Amerlux product range spans track, recessed downlights and multiples, pendants, linear fluorescent and specialty lighting systems.
