Cincinnati - xpedx, one of the largest and premier distribution companies in North America, has earned the ENERGY STAR at its locations in Livonia, Mich., and Wilmington, Mass., and has also been named as an "ENERGY STAR partner." These acknowledgements reflect xpedx's commitment to protect the environment through continuous improvement of its energy performance.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, the Livonia and Wilmington sites scored in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency, based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's energy performance rating system. Qualified facilities meet strict energy performance standards, use less energy, are less expensive to operate and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than peer facilities. They save money and protect the environment.

David Wallace, xpedx's director, Sustainability, said xpedx's work with ENERGY STAR is a natural extension of its dedication to maintain responsible operations, offer sustainable product choices and provide leadership in sustainable business practices for its customers and suppliers. "We believe that an organization-wide energy management approach will help us enhance our financial health and aid in protecting the environment today and for future generations," he said.

The xpedx sites in Livonia and Wilmington combined have nearly 740,000 square feet of space. Doug DeCaire is the division manager in the Livonia location. "The ENERGY STAR partnership validates xpedx's commitment to bring creative, effective solutions to customers to help all of us become more sustainable organizations," he said. "This important priority is incorporated in all xpedx's efforts to optimize customer supply chains and processes."

With the Livonia and Wilmington locations already qualified, xpedx is closer to its goal of earning the ENERGY STAR in eight large distribution locations within the U.S. by the end of the year. These eight locations have approximately 2.4 million square feet of space.

As an "ENERGY STAR partner," xpedx is tracking its energy consumption and carbon footprint and improving its operating costs through energy saving strategies. xpedx has also committed to highlight its achievements as recognized by ENERGY STAR, support the ENERGY STAR challenge to improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by at least 10 percent and spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency to its employees and communities where it operates.

As a result of the increased awareness, xpedx employees at its Earth Day celebration in 2010 pledged to take individual actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.4 million pounds annually. These pledges are estimated to save nearly 3 million kWh of energy and more than $400,000 in energy costs.