Lauterbach Group, Waukesha, WI, USA, has begun construction of a new LEED production plant in Sussex, WI. The facility is designed using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System, which encourages the adoption of sustainable green building practices. Lauterbach Group is a label and packaging converter specializing in direct response, food and beverage, and brand security/authentication markets.
 
“Lauterbach Group is excited to set the environmental standard for construction of a printing and converting production facility, and we are extremely proud of our group members for their commitment to environmental stewardship through out production processes,” says Shane Lauterbach, president and CEO. “Our group’s goal is to be recognized in corporate leadership within our community and our industry.”
 
The LEED rating system was designed by the US Green Building Council to guide and distinguish high performance buildings that have less of an impact on the environment, are healthier for those who use the building and are more profitable than their conventional counterparts. The Lauterbach Group building is designed with the latest HVAC, power and water conservation technology; it also utilizes recycled content components in the construction of the building.
 
The facility is working toward LEED Certification for such green design elements as: using high efficiency lighting, which will save 21 percent over typical field lighting; installing water conserving plumbing fixtures to reduce overall water consumption by 30 percent; using water recycling processes; installing bathroom partitions and lockers constructed of 100 percent recycled HDPE; utilizing sustainable and/or recycled materials for the interior finishes, including low VOC paints and adhesives; constructing the building using local and/or regional material suppliers, most of which are utilizing recycled materials to fabricate their products; utilizing wood from certified sustainably managed forests; using recycled materials in 20 percent of the building construction; treating a majority of storm water runoff from pavements through porous pavements and stone sub-bases, which improves local water quality; and providing a smoke free building and property for employees and neighboring facilities.
 
Construction began in Summer 2008 and will be completed by the first quarter of 2009.