Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honor a select group of manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, home builders and other organizations for their long-term commitment to protecting the environment. Organizations are recognized in one of three major categories: Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, and Excellence.
This year, 110 award winners were chosen from more than 17,000 partners in the
Energy Star program.
Among lighting partners, Metro Lighting, Technical Consumer Products, Osram Sylvania, GE Lighting and Good Earth Lighting were all named winners, in different categories, during a ceremony on March 18 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“Our Energy Star Award winners for lighting this year demonstrated leadership in developing and bringing to market new, innovative energy-efficient lighting products and also demonstrated leadership in promotion of those products directly to consumers and retailers,” says Alex Baker, Lighting Program Manager for Energy Star.
Metro Lighting received the Excellence in Retailing for Lighting Award. The family-owned business has grown into Missouri’s largest lighting distributor with seven locations serving the greater St. Louis area and Cape Girardeau. Key accomplishments include:
- Dedicating a section in each of its seven showrooms to showcase Energy Star-qualified lighting fixtures and CFLs.
- Partnering with AmerenUE to heavily promote Energy Star-qualified lighting products in the St. Louis area through a combination of print, television and radio advertising.
- Stocking and displaying more than 100 Energy Star-qualified products in a variety of categories.
- Training each member of its 60-plus sales force on the benefits of Energy Star-qualified products and holding numerous “lunch and learn” events with vendors.
- Partnering with Nuvo Lighting to develop the “E-Star Builder Plus” educational catalog featuring Energy Star-qualified lighting products.
“More and more of our customers are looking for products that save money and protect the environment,” says Nicholas Frisella, Metro Lighting’s Special Projects Manager. “By offering products that have earned the Energy Star we are working to fulfill our customers’ needs while helping address climate change.”
Frisella is pictured here (from left) with Ann Bailey, Acting Division Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; William Frisella, President, Metro Lighting; and Matthew Gagnepain, General Manager, Metro Lighting.
Only one Excellence in Retailing Award for Lighting is given nationally each year.
GE Appliances & Lighting received the Sustained Excellence Award for the fifth consecutive year in a row. Key accomplishments included having 98 percent of its CFLs earn the Energy Star, introducing innovative products to the lighting market, including incandescent-shaped, glass-covered CFLs, and educational efforts.
Osram Sylvania also received its fifth consecutive Energy Star Award for Sustained Excellence. Key accomplishments included introducing 40 new Energy Star-qualified CFL models in 2009, for a total of 350; launching Bright Ideas, an online e-newsletter offering information on issues such as CFL recycling and protecting the environment; expanding its utility sponsored rebate program by 100 percent in 2009; and investing heavily in media promotions of its Energy Star-qualified products.
Good Earth Lighting received the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award. The manufacturer was recognized for the following key accomplishments: Offering 68 new Energy Star-qualified lighting fixtures in 2009; designing and subsidizing program signage, hang tags and consumer brochures that can be found at major retailers throughout the country; adding four decorative lighting collections to its catalog and introducing its first Energy Star-qualified LED lighting fixture.
Technical Consumer Products (TCP) also was recognized with the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award. Key accomplishments include: Increasing its suite of Energy Star-qualified CFLs by 17 percent over last year; introducing the industry’s fastest -starting covered CFL (Insabright G2); sponsoring The Home Depot’s CFL recycling kiosks; and educating its sales staff about Energy Star products.
Getting involved with the Energy Star Program and promoting energy efficiency is a smart business move for lighting retailers and manufacturers, says Baker. “Consumers and businesses are more and more interested every day in pursuing energy efficiency to improve their bottom line. And consumers are gravitating toward these energy efficient products,” he says. “If a showroom really wants to take advantage of this interest and drive sales, they really should consider stocking and promoting Energy Star-qualified products.”
For more information, visit the Energy Star Web site.
