GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steelcase Inc. (NYSE: SCS ), the global leader in the office furniture industry, has announced the company's renewable energy investment is equivalent to 100% of its global electricity consumption. This long-term commitment makes Steelcase the 15 th largest 100% renewable energy purchaser in the United States according to the U.S. EPA's Green Power Partnership. It reflects the company's larger energy strategy which has, to date, resulted in a 60% reduction in energy use since the company began tracking its consumption in 2001.
Steelcase has chosen to purchase its renewable energy credits (RECs) from a portfolio that includes newer projects and non-emitting sources like wind and hydroelectric energy in North America and Europe. Steelcase is the first major company in its industry to purchase non-emitting renewable energy equivalent to 100 percent of its global electricity consumption.
"Our commitment to renewable energy is reflective of our passion for innovation and the environment. We're helping grow an industry that will ultimately benefit the entire world," said Jim Keane, President and CEO of Steelcase Inc. "But as a reflection of our company values, we maintain a sense of urgency in limiting our use of fossil fuels. Steelcase remains focused on identifying innovative ways to build the energy efficiency of our operations, to reduce the embodied energy of our products, and to help our customers optimize their own real estate and energy use."
"We congratulate Steelcase Inc. for using 100 percent renewable energy and taking a leadership position on the environment," said Blaine Collison, Director of EPA's Green Power Partnership. "The impressive green power commitment of Steelcase helps reduce carbon emissions and provides an excellent example for other organizations."
In an effort to expand positive impact, Steelcase has created a one-of-a-kind program that will encourage the company's suppliers to purchase clean RECs from new wind energy facilities that came online in 2011 or later. Those partners choosing to participate will benefit from Steelcase's volume discount pricing.
"We see this program as both a business advantage and extension of the company's long-term commitment to sustainability," said Angela Nahikian, director of Global Environmental Sustainability for Steelcase. "As demand for fossil fuels begins to outpace global supply, we'll know that we've played an important role in developing a market for clean energy. It's exciting to be able to offer this great benefit to our trusted partners."
For more information about Steelcase's sustainability efforts, please visit www.steelcase.com/sustainability .
About Steelcase, Inc.
For more than 100 years, Steelcase Inc. has helped create great experiences for the world's leading organizations – wherever work happens. Steelcase and our family of brands – including Steelcase®, Coalesse®, Designtex®, Details®, Nurture®, PolyVision® and Turnstone® – offer a comprehensive portfolio of furnishings, products and services designed to unlock human promise and support social, economic and environmental sustainability. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including approximately 650 dealers. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading and publicly traded company with fiscal 2013 revenue of $2.9 billion.
Laura Van Slyke Steelcase Inc. 616.262.3091
