by Brianna Crandall — April 9, 2014—Schindler Elevator Corporation recently announced the grand opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Reinforcing Schindler’s stated commitment to environmental protection and sustainability for its customers and its own business, the facility is said to be the first in North America to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold green building certification for an elevator manufacturing plant, and serves as a model for future Schindler production facilities around the globe.
As part of the Schindler global supply chain, the 150,000-square-foot facility will provide support for the North American market and will focus on producing customer-facing components such as doors, entrances, jambs and elevator cab interiors. The plant also includes the company’s Order Consolidation Center (OCC), an order fulfillment warehouse that helps Schindler achieve lead times that the company says are among the shortest in the industry for customer delivery. The company has had a manufacturing presence in centrally located South Central Pennsylvania for 40 years.
Schindler’s Hanover facility achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in: sustainable site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Key features include:
- Photovoltaic solar panels that will generate 1.5 million watts of renewable energy to provide approximately half of the building’s total annual power consumption and offset the generation of tons of CO2;
- A “zero-discharge” water system, so wastewater will be treated and used again, not released to the city’s sewer system or surface water;
- Energy-efficient T5 fluorescent light fixtures;
- A concrete parking area that reflects heat back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing the heat;
- Electric car-charging stations allowing for zero-emissions vehicles at the facility; and
- The preservation of as much green space as possible.
Schindler says its overall commitment to sustainability reflects a long-term investment in more than simply a clean, healthy environment—it also signifies smart business practices and a way of life. In a position to contribute to the sustainability of rapidly growing urban environments worldwide, Schindler is reportedly focused on reducing the energy required for its products, services and operations; supporting sustainable urban development; and making safety, accessibility and respect for everyone top priorities.
The Schindler Web site features an infographic and a video tour showcasing the Hanover facility’s sustainable production and order fulfillment features.
Schindler Elevator Corporation is the North American operation of the Switzerland-based Schindler Group, a leading global mobility provider with approximately 48,000 employees operating in more than 100 countries. Schindler reportedly supports sustainable urban development with safe, reliable and ecologically sound mobility solutions, and its equipment moves one billion people every day all over the world. Schindler was named one of Forbes Magazine‘s 100 Most Innovative Companies for the past three years.
