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EPA and DOE NAME ITW Food Equipment Group 2009 ENERGY STAR® PARTNER OF THE YEAR

For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have named ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG) as the 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Product Manufacturer. With 381 ENERGY STAR qualified units, a 56 percent increase in its ENERGY STAR product offering over last year, ITW FEG is the only commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer to receive the 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award.

Hobart, Stero, Vulcan, Traulsen and Wittco are among the ITW FEG independent companies that contributed its efforts in designing and manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR rating, the government-backed national symbol of energy efficiency. ITW FEG supports the sustainable initiatives of customers and end-users with new products and technologies that directly address their concerns about operations and the environment. ITW FEG is committed to supporting customers in their drive to cut costs, consume less water and electricity, and decrease waste.

“Our strong partnership with ENERGY STAR provides an important avenue to help support foodservice operators and food retailers design and operate a sustainable kitchen that’s more efficient, productive and environmentally sound,” said John McDonough, president of ITW FEG. “Providing equipment that is engineered for energy efficiency and low water consumption is good for our customers and their business. Other key factors to consider include durability, total cost of ownership and regularly scheduled preventive maintenance.”

Facilities with commercial kitchens are estimated to use five times more energy per square foot than the rest of the building combined. ENERGY STAR estimates that qualified products can save up to as much as 50 percent over their conventional counterparts on electric, gas, water and sewer bills.

Currently, commercial foodservice products in six categories can earn the ENERGY STAR rating, including fryers, hot-food holding cabinets, commercial solid-door refrigerators and freezers, and commercial steam cookers, commercial dishwashers and commercial ice-makers. Energy-efficient equipment in a product category that does not presently have an ENERGY STAR standard can also be included in the kitchen to save energy and water and reduce waste.

The 2009 Partner of the Year awards are given to manufacturers and retailers that successfully promote and deliver ENERGY STAR qualified products, saving consumers and businesses money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Representatives from ITW FEG and its independent companies will accept the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award at a ceremony to be held March 31, in Washington, D.C.

“EPA is pleased to recognize ITW FEG for leadership in addressing global warming through greater energy efficiency,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the U.S. EPA. “By promoting their products that have earned the ENERGY STAR, ITW FEG is showing customers that we can boost our nation’s energy efficiency and reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, while producing quality products.”

About ITW Food Equipment Group–North America
An ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for two consecutive years, ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG–NA) is the parent organization of independent companies such as Hobart (www.hobartcorp.com), Stero (www.stero.com), Vulcan (www.vulcanhart.com), Traulsen (www.traulsen.com) and Wittco (www.wittco.com), all of which design and manufacture commercial food equipment for foodservice and food retail customers.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).