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Beverage distributor DeCresente remodels warehouses to be more energy-efficient WITH VIDEO
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MECHANICVILLE — Beyond DeCrescente Distributing’s nine million cases of alcoholic and other beverages, there is a lot going on.
The fourth-generation family-owned company recently completed about $500,000 in green and energy efficient changes to its sprawling facility.
Skylights were installed in the warehouses to utilize more natural light, and large fans are spinning in the large drive-thru pick up area to increase circulation of the air.
Better temperature management is promoted through new thermostats in the office areas and pressure sensitive doors in the warehouses, explained Russ Teplitzky, DeCrescente’s general manager.
New light bulbs were installed throughout the 205,000 square feet of the almost 63-year-old business that employs 300 people. Solar panels, which can be seen even from routes 4 and 32, were also finished being installed about a month ago.
So far, the green efforts have saved about 284,000 kilowatt hours, equivalent to taking 1,200 cars off the road or saving 9,000 trees from being cut down.
American Energy assessed the property about a year ago for the green initiatives. And even the employees have been doing their parts.
“People are bringing in mugs instead of disposable plastic containers,” said Teplitzky. Most items are also recycled on the site.
The business plans to continue these Earth-friendly measures when they further expand across the street on a property that was most recently a community playing field. The DeCrescente family, which owns the property, had loaned the property for sports games but then purchased another site on Elizabeth Street for a new park to be used this spring. Continued...
The expansion, which is expected to begin in June, will consist of constructing two structures in nine months; one will be about 28,000 square feet and the other 18,000 square feet. This will further develop a wellness center currently located on the property to be used by the business, Teplitzky said.
The small building will have cooler vending, a sign shop and promotional items like glassware. The larger structure will include a conference center, gym, and private pub.
This addition has been in the works for years as part of a three-phase project. There was prior construction to build the drive-thru loading area, build new office space and rearrange storage areas.
The last phase comes at a busy time for the company, since they just acquired new contracts with Snapple, Coors, Corona and Moosehead beer, said Teplitzky, who noted this has resulted in an additional 750,000 cases, making the company total just shy of 9 million. Their goal is to reach 10 million.
With the new developments, the business has been working on a new marketing website, called gotbeer.com, that will help customers find promotional events and find out where beer is sold in stores and bars. The site will be launched next month, but there will be an official launch party in June.
More Photos
Click thumbnails to enlarge
MECHANICVILLE — Beyond DeCrescente Distributing’s nine million cases of alcoholic and other beverages, there is a lot going on.
The fourth-generation family-owned company recently completed about $500,000 in green and energy efficient changes to its sprawling facility.
Skylights were installed in the warehouses to utilize more natural light, and large fans are spinning in the large drive-thru pick up area to increase circulation of the air.
Better temperature management is promoted through new thermostats in the office areas and pressure sensitive doors in the warehouses, explained Russ Teplitzky, DeCrescente’s general manager.
New light bulbs were installed throughout the 205,000 square feet of the almost 63-year-old business that employs 300 people. Solar panels, which can be seen even from routes 4 and 32, were also finished being installed about a month ago.
So far, the green efforts have saved about 284,000 kilowatt hours, equivalent to taking 1,200 cars off the road or saving 9,000 trees from being cut down.
American Energy assessed the property about a year ago for the green initiatives. And even the employees have been doing their parts.
“People are bringing in mugs instead of disposable plastic containers,” said Teplitzky. Most items are also recycled on the site.
The business plans to continue these Earth-friendly measures when they further expand across the street on a property that was most recently a community playing field. The DeCrescente family, which owns the property, had loaned the property for sports games but then purchased another site on Elizabeth Street for a new park to be used this spring.
The expansion, which is expected to begin in June, will consist of constructing two structures in nine months; one will be about 28,000 square feet and the other 18,000 square feet. This will further develop a wellness center currently located on the property to be used by the business, Teplitzky said.
The small building will have cooler vending, a sign shop and promotional items like glassware. The larger structure will include a conference center, gym, and private pub.
This addition has been in the works for years as part of a three-phase project. There was prior construction to build the drive-thru loading area, build new office space and rearrange storage areas.
The last phase comes at a busy time for the company, since they just acquired new contracts with Snapple, Coors, Corona and Moosehead beer, said Teplitzky, who noted this has resulted in an additional 750,000 cases, making the company total just shy of 9 million. Their goal is to reach 10 million.
With the new developments, the business has been working on a new marketing website, called gotbeer.com, that will help customers find promotional events and find out where beer is sold in stores and bars. The site will be launched next month, but there will be an official launch party in June.
Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of saratogian.com.
Kyle York wrote on Apr 25, 2011 12:53 AM:
Compare it to--
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2011/04/16/news/doc4daa572de9fb1096694348.txt?viewmode=comments
-Kyle York
Resident. Journalist. "
Liberty101 wrote on Apr 25, 2011 1:35 AM:
Ultimately businesses and home owners will be able to go off grid forever. That day is just around the corner. This remodeled warehouse is a great example of what we can do in the meantime. "
Liberty101 wrote on Apr 25, 2011 2:19 PM:
Like Mr. Tea Party who says the sun is not hot enough to heat a house or adkkman who states that solar tech is decades away.
Must be a busy day at GE. They are as quiet as little church mice without the church.
Isn't that something. Hmmm. "
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