Minimizing Energy Usage

We began the process of standardizing our practices around lighting, heating and air conditioning with the goal of reducing our consumption. The second largest contributor to our carbon footprint stems from our use of electricity and natural gas in our warehouses and offices. In late 2008, as part of a Lean Six Sigma program, the Montreal facility was chosen as the site of a pilot project to reduce energy consumption through a series of measures to better control lighting and ambient temperature. These included:

Implementation of a control process (log) to monitor that lights are turned off after working hours during week nights and weekends in the office as well as in the warehouse.

Installation of “7 day” programmable thermostats in offices and warehouses and programming of thermostats to comply with agreed temperatures.

Compliance with lower maximum temperatures as follows:
During working hours:

Warehouse: Maximum of 19°C
Office: Maximum of 22°C-23°C 

After working hours (week nights and weekends, if applicable )
Warehouse: Maximum of 16°C  (reduction of 3 degrees)
Office: Maximum of 19°C-20°C (reduction of 3 degrees)

Following the successful completion of the pilot project, these measures were implemented across all facilities during the 1st quarter of 2009.