In a ceremony attended by Virginia Gov Bob McDonnell; Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo; and Ofra Strauss, chairperson of Strauss Group, Sabra Dipping Company officially opened its new manufacturing plant in Colonial Heights VA.
Sabra markets refrigerated dips and spreads and produces hummus. This facility immediately more than doubles the firm’s manufacturing capacity, while minimizing its impact on the environment. In fact, it is expected to qualify as one of the only food-processing factories to achieve Silver certification under the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program.
The company first broke ground on the plant in January 2009. The new facility will create about 260 jobs in Chesterfield County once it is fully operational. Sabra worked with experts in sustainability and manufacturing to identify best practices. In several areas, its team developed customized systems to ensure the integrity of product, kitchen-fresh feel, and to enable capabilities for anticipated growth. The new plant will serve as the production and distribution center to more than 40,000 stores across the United States and Canada.
Some of the factory’s environmental highlights are:
Energy efficiency measures
•Premium efficiency motors for process equipment.
•Highly reflective roof to cut cooling needs.
•Heat recovery systems for process systems.
Environmental impact and savings
•Approximately 20% reduction in energy costs for heating and cooling, due in part to a white roof and improved insulation.
•At least 35% of the building’s electricity will come from renewable sources by engaging in at least a two-year renewable energy contract.
•The company has moved from PP (5) packaging to PET (1) made of 30% to 45% post consumable recyclable raw material.
Building materials and resource use
•100% of water will be reused for sewage transference and landscape irrigation among others.
•Rainwater usage, an efficient cooling tower system, and low-flow faucets are in place.
•Wood flooring is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
•20% or more of all of the building materials were made from recycled materials.
•20% or more of all of the building materials will be sourced and manufactured regionally.
•86% of the construction waste produced by the project will be diverted from landfills and recycled, keeping 255 tons of waste out of landfills.
Workplace
•Bike racks and showers are provided for alternate transportation and employee health.
•Outdoor running track may be used for recreation and employee health.
•Preferred parking is available for hybrid vehicles and carpoolers.
Visit Sabra at www.sabra.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sabra, and on facebook at www.facebook.com/sabra.
