New facilities in Brazil commended for saving energy, conserving natural resources and improving conditions for workers
ARaymond has become one of the first companies in Brazil’s automotive sector to achieve the coveted LEED benchmark for high-performance green buildings.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s most widely recognized rating system for the design, construction and operation of sustainable, eco-friendly offices and factories.
Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED certification is only awarded to companies that can demonstrate they have taken action to reduce their impact on the environment and improve working conditions.LEED certified buildings save energy and conservenatural resources as well as having a positive impact on the healthand wellbeing of the people who work inside them.
ARaymond achieved the Silver level of LEED certification in recognition of measures takenduring the renovation of existing buildings and the construction of new offices at its headquarters and main production plantat Vinhedo, near São Paulo. Around 230 people work at the site.
These buildings incorporate a number of innovative features such as water recycling, a constant air exchangesystem (instead of conventional air conditioning), a glass roof to maximize the use of natural light, low-energy electrical lighting and internal noise reduction.
ARaymond also had to show it recycles all materials where possible and reduces waste generated by its production processes.Future initiatives include the construction of a hi-tech wastewater and sewage treatment facility.
Alexander Pircher, Managing Director of ARaymond Brazil, said: “LEED is the most important green building certification program in the world.
“We are one of the first companies in the Brazilian automotive industry to gain LEED certification and it has taken years of hard work involving teams from allour departments.
“This standard is not mandatory but we wanted to achieve it because it is the goal of every ARaymond company to reduce its carbon footprint. Caring for the environment is one of our core values.”
Planning on the redevelopment project started in June 2011. As part of the auditing process, ARaymond was regularly inspected and had to submit weekly reports along with photographic evidence.
The company was presented with its LEED Silver certificate in March at a ceremony attended by Antoine Raymond, CEO, and Alexander Pircher, other members of the senior management team, and local dignitaries including the Mayor of Vinhedo.
LEED builds on existing environmental practices adopted by ARaymond Brazil, which has been accredited to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard since 2004. It is also the recipient of a sustainable development prize from the Socieda de Brasileira de Sociologia.
M. Pircher added: “LEED is one the several green initiatives that are aligned with the ARaymond Network** guidelines.”
“We will continue to focus strongly on sustainability. We will take action every day to minimize or eliminate our impact on the environment.”
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*ARaymond, ARaymond Brazil means in this article A. RAYMOND BRASIL LTDA – Registered N° : CNPJ/MF 01.144.384/0001-89 (Brasil) – Vinhedo - SP (BRAZIL) which is the editor of this Article and is responsible for this ** ARaymond Network refers, in this Article, to a network of independent companies (http://www.araymond.com)