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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Info Contact:
Tom Kirkpatrick
Eco Engineering
513.985.8301
or
Don Gephardt with Valvoline at (606) 357-7884
Eco Engineering Helps Valvoline Instant Oil
Change Facilities Save Money & the Environment
November 19, 1999 -- LOUISVILLE, KY – Eco Engineering recently completed the installation of new energy efficient lighting technology in 344 Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) stores in 11 states including: Ohio, Kentucky (Louisville-15 stores and Lexington-8 stores), Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and New York. These projects will save VIOC, a division of Ashland Oil, an estimated $1.65 million over the next ten years. As a result, VIOC stores are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Green Lights" Energy Star compliant.
"One of our company's goals was to reduce ongoing operating costs.
Reducing energy costs was viewed as an opportunity to accomplish our
objectives. We reviewed several bids and looked at various solutions. Eco
Engineering offered the most cost effective solution while maximizing energy
savings and helping to protect the environment," said Jerry Wipf,
President of Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
Eco Engineering Project Manager, Bryan Burke says Eco's goal was to install
energy efficient lighting that would reduce utility costs by approximately
50% while maintaining or improving existing lighting conditions at each
store. Eco's highly trained staff engineered an optimal solution that called
for the installation of customized reflectors. This design allows the
facilities to maximize their energy savings while improving lighting in the
pit areas which enhances safety and productivity. The new lighting also helps
protect the environment by using less electricity which will reduce the
emissions of carbon dioxide by 231,870 pounds monthly, the emissions of
sulfur dioxide by 1,977 pounds monthly, and the emissions of nitrogen oxides
by 852 pounds monthly. This is the equivalent environmental value of removing
263 cars from the road annually.
"It's very rewarding to complete a project of this magnitude. From an
installation perspective, the Eco team did an exemplary job of installing the
fixtures without interrupting the day-to-day business activity at the stores.
From a customer service perspective, Valvoline Instant Oil Change facilities
are now safer and more productive which is a win-win for the company, its
employees, and its customers. From a financial perspective, VIOC will start
seeing savings immediately and those savings will be significant...$165,000
annually. Finally, from an environmental perspective, the Eco team is proud
to have helped VIOC in its efforts to protect the environment and qualify for
(EPA) "Green Lights" Energy Star certification," says Burke.
Eco Engineering's goal is to help its customers realize greater energy
savings while playing a part in preserving the environment for generations to
come. Eco Engineering offers comprehensive energy consumption analysis,
audits, and consulting services that range from providing utility bill
analysis to overall building infrastructure analysis in addition to providing
energy efficient lighting and maintenance. Eco provides commercial clients
with the entire spectrum of services to achieve maximum energy savings and
also help protect the environment. Eco Engineering is now the largest
independent Energy Services Company (ESCO) in the Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky
tri-state region, with over 100 successful energy savings projects resulting
in an annual savings of $4-$5 million for Eco's customers. Eco Engineering is
a Green Lights Ally in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
Energy Star Buildings_ Partnership.
Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a division of Ashland, Inc. Ashland Inc.
(NYSE:ASH) is a diversified company with wholly owned operations in
distribution, specialty chemicals, motor oil and car care products, and
highway construction. Valvoline's major consumer brands include Valvoline
motor oils, "Eagle One" appearance products, "Zerex:"
antifreeze, "Pyroil" Performance Products, and Valvoline
"SynPower" automotive chemicals. Ashland's Internet address is
http://www.ashland.com.
For more information, Eco Engineering can be reached at (513) 985-8301 or
800-318-0577 and Valvoline can be reached at (606) 357-7884
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