Cardinal Turns Green

Cardinal Laboratories Marks “Energy Independence Day” On October 29 By Going Off The Electric Grid To 100% Solar Power

AZUSA, CA
– Cardinal Laboratories will be turning off the power, and turning up the lights on a new, more earth-friendly era on Thursday October 29th, when it “Flips the Switch” that officially transforms its Azusa, CA manufacturing and distribution center into a 100% solar powered facility. This officially completes Phase I of Cardinal’s three-phase plan to be a completely energy independent company. Phase 2 converts its Baldwin Park center to Solar Energy and Phase 3 is construction of a new 70,000 square foot building on the Azusa Campus that uses both Geo-Thermal and Solar Power.

The 62-year old company, maker of popular dog and cat care products, is celebrating the occasion with an Open House from 2-5 pm. Azusa’s Mayor Joseph Rocha will join owner Tony de Vos in a green ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 pm.

The afternoon will include a tour of its new high efficiency electrical system which is powered by the solar collection and distribution system installed by contractor, Innovative Mechanical & Electrical Inc. of Temecula, CA. The system features 367 solar panels made in the USA by Siliken Renewable Energy. During the afternoon IME will offer guests a special look at the solar panels on the new Title 24 White Roof, which reflects heat and insulates the building, via special elevator lifts.

Undertaken with the Solar Partnership Program of the City of Azusa, the conversion takes Cardinal Laboratories completely off the power grid. In fact, the company can harvest enough power from its solar collection system that it can send electricity back to Azusa’s grid.

Cardinal’s building is the first completely solar powered commercial facility in Azusa and the first manufacturing and distribution center to be powered by the sun in the pet care products industry. As part of its effort to become energy independent, Cardinal replaced a variety of power-drawing items at its facility with new energy-efficient alternatives. Among many other changes, the company replaced its building’s skylights with new prismatic units that diffuse natural sunlight light over a larger area and added sensors to rooms that will turn lights on when occupied and off when an area is vacated.

Changes have reduced the energy load so significantly that Cardinal has been able to install air conditioning in the factory, creating a more comfortable working environment for employees. A state-of-the art Powerlink™ Energy Management System monitors energy usage for optimal efficiency. The EMS computer records, graphs and displays energy usage on a laser display which visitors will be able to view in the Cardinal lobby.

President Tony De Vos believes that despite the current economy, these changes are not just good business, they are the socially responsible thing to do. “As a leading manufacturer of dog and cat care products for over 60 years, Cardinal is proud to be one of the companies leading the way toward a more environmentally responsible future,” said de Vos. “Looking at our environment from the big picture point of view, taking steps to get off the power grid and reduce our carbon footprint is the right thing to do for our company, our world and future generations.”

For more information about the solar conversion, visit www.CardinalGoesGreen.com

Media representatives are invited to attend this green ribbon cutting ceremony. For directions and added information, please contact Jennifer Ramirez at Fucini Productions, jennifer@fucinipro.com or call 248-374-2882.