United Natural Foods Utilizes World Energy for Online Energy Procurement
PROVIDENCE, RI and WORCESTER, MA, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - World Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: XWES; TSX: XWE), a leading energy management services firm, today announced it has helped United Natural Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNFI) procure over 25 million kWh of electricity and renewable energy for its distribution centers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Complementing its commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives and promoting Green energy, UNFI worked with World Energy to cost effectively purchase energy through successful auction events over the World Energy Exchange(R).
The online auctions tested various terms and energy mixes, attracting top suppliers in each respective state and spurring competitive bidding that yielded cost savings to UNFI for both traditional and renewable energy. Additionally, through the process, UNFI was able to secure 25 percent green power for its Massachusetts and Connecticut facilities, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2,500 metric tons, or the equivalent of nearly 5,800 barrels of oil. (Source: EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.)
"Utilizing green power extends our long-standing commitment to implementing environmentally sustainable practices, and we are extremely pleased to have worked with
World Energy to provide a robust solution to selectively, and cost effectively, procure energy for our Northeast U.S. distribution centers," commented Tom Dziki, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Development.
Added Phil Adams, President of World Energy: "It's gratifying to work with, and deliver solid results for, a green leader like UNFI. More and more top brands are turning to World Energy for the advantage our people, process and technology bring to managing energy more strategically. Our holistic approach hinges not just on the superiority of our auction platforms, but also on our deep-rooted expertise in energy markets and depth of experience helping customers meet their energy needs."
Recently chosen as the 12th most trustworthy mid-cap company in America by Forbes Magazine, UNFI is deeply committed to sustainability and has successfully implemented a number of green initiatives over the past few years. The company operates two of the largest distribution center solar arrays in the United States with systems totaling 1.19-megawatts and 550-kilowatts, respectively, at their California and Connecticut facilities. UNFI also operates a 175-kilowatt solar array on the roof of its headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island and utilizes 100% renewable energy at its Ridgefield, Washington facility. In 2009, UNFI was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with LEED(R) Gold certification at the Ridgefield distribution center and in 2010 its Chesterfield, New Hampshire distribution center was awarded the esteemed ENERGY STAR rating by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, the company is currently working to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology to power the lift truck fleet at its Sarasota, Florida distribution center.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. (www.unfi.com) carries and distributes more than 60,000 products to more than 17,000 customer locations nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the "Best Managed Companies in America," ranked by Fortune in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 as one of its "Most Admired Companies," winner of the Supermarket News 2008 Sustainability Excellence Award, and recognized by the Nutrition Business Journal for its 2009 Environment and Sustainability Award.
About World Energy Solutions, Inc.
World Energy (NASDAQ: XWES; TSX: XWE) operates online exchanges for energy and green commodities. For buyers and sellers of electricity, natural gas, capacity, demand response, and green-energy assets, World Energy's proven approach has transformed the normally complex procurement process into a powerful, streamlined vehicle for cost savings. In addition to enabling customers to seek competitive pricing on traditional energy commodities, World Energy is taking a leadership position in the emerging environmental-commodities markets. Its award-winning World Green Exchange(R) supports the ground-breaking Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative's (RGGI) cap and trade program for CO2 emissions. For more information, please visit www.worldenergy.com.
UNFI "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding United Natural Foods business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and management estimates; actual results may differ materially. The risks and uncertainties which could impact these statements are described in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2009 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter, and include, but are not limited to, the Company's dependence on principal customers; the Company's sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment, changes in disposable income levels and consumer spending trends; increased fuel costs; the Company's sensitivity to inflationary pressures; the relatively low margins and economic sensitivity of the Company's business; the ability to identify and successfully complete acquisitions of other natural, organic and specialty food and related product distributors; and management's allocation of capital and the timing of capital expenditures. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations are based on a number of assumptions, many of which are outside the Company's control and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.
World Energy "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our revenue is dependent on actual future energy purchases pursuant to completed procurements; the demand for our services is affected by changes in regulated prices or cyclicality or volatility in competitive market prices for energy; there are factors outside our control that affect transaction volume in the electricity market; and there are other factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE World Energy Solutions, Inc.
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