WILMINGTON, Mass., April 22,
2024 /CNW/ -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF),
a North American leader in providing customized business uniform
programs, facility service products and first aid and safety
services, partnered with HOLT Renewables to finalize three rooftop
solar power systems at UniFirst industrial laundry facilities in
Austin and San Antonio, Texas, and Stockton, California. Combined, the solar
power systems boast over 2,000 high-efficiency solar panels,
promising substantial long-term benefits including clean energy,
reduced emissions, and significant lifetime utility savings.
"UniFirst takes pride in our ongoing commitment to environmental
sustainability as we aim to serve our customers and support the
communities in which we operate," said Matthew Croatti, UniFirst Senior Vice President.
By investing in solar energy and other sustainable initiatives,
UniFirst is actively reducing our environmental impact and carbon
footprint as well as benefiting from long-term energy cost
reductions."
In its pursuit of achieving its sustainability goals, UniFirst
leaned on San Antonio-based HOLT
Renewables for its expertise and understanding of Austin Energy's
solar incentives to successfully implement solar at UniFirst's
industrial laundry facility in Austin. This new rooftop solar array is
256.80kWdc with an expected greenhouse gas reduction of 262,000kg
of CO2 in the first year or the equivalent of 31,900,700
smartphones being charged. The solar project is expected to provide
utility savings over $69,000 in year
one and over $1,000,000 of lifetime
savings.
UniFirst also tapped HOLT Renewables to install a 337.92kWdc
rooftop array at their industrial laundry facility in Stockton, CA. The 337.92kWdc solar array is
expected to save more than $90,000 in
utility bill costs in its first year of production and seven-figure
energy cost savings over the course of its projected lifetime.
The first solar power installation took place in 2020 when HOLT
Renewables installed a 232.5kWdc rooftop array at UniFirst's
industrial laundry facility in San
Antonio. The decision to start with San Antonio was due in part to available solar
rebates offered in the city by CPS Energy, the nation's largest
community-owned provider of electric and natural gas services.
"HOLT Group and UniFirst are both active members of the
San Antonio community and share
many of the same values which has made our working relationship
harmonious," said Aaron Arriaga,
Commercial Project Developer at HOLT Renewables. The 612 solar
panel system in San Antonio
generated more than $25,000 in energy
savings in its first year and is expected to deliver long term
benefits of over $1,000,000 in
lifetime utility cost savings.
UniFirst and HOLT Renewables participated in the Federal
Investment Tax Credit, which allowed for up to 30 percent of the
total cost of installation for each solar energy system. The
company also leveraged commercial rebates from the local utilities
involved to help reduce the total project investment. HOLT
Renewables is both UniFirst's partner in renewable energy and a
holding company of HOLT Caterpillar, a UniFirst customer. UniFirst
has provided uniform services to HOLT CAT for 15 years and when
HOLT Renewables became a part HOLT Group in 2019, UniFirst was the
first solar client under the new brand.
In addition to the solar projects, UniFirst is actively
enhancing energy conservation through other Companywide initiatives
including LED lighting upgrades, water treatment and reuse
practices, and waste-stream optimization at its facilities
throughout North America.
Moreover, the company is piloting electric vehicles in key markets
as part of its efforts towards a sustainable future.
About UniFirst
Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:
UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of
uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, as well
as first aid and safety supplies and services. Together with its
subsidiaries, the Company also manages specialized garment programs
for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. In addition to partnering
with leading brands, UniFirst manufactures its own branded
workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products at its five
company-owned ISO-9001-certified manufacturing facilities. With
more than 270 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations,
and 16,000-plus employee Team Partners, the Company outfits more
than 2 million workers every day. For additional information,
contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit UniFirst.com.
About HOLT Renewables
HOLT Renewables provides Solar,
Energy Storage and EV Charger design, engineering, procurement,
construction, and maintenance to help customers achieve energy
savings and meet their renewable energy goals. Together, the team
at HOLT Renewables has decades of experience creating and
constructing complex solar solutions for customers nationwide. HOLT
Renewables evaluates clients' property, conducts feasibility
studies and provides contracting and construction services in an
efficient and timely manner. Projects through HOLT Renewables have
resulted in an offset of approximately 2,215 metric tons of carbon
emissions and counting.
HOLT Renewables is a HOLT Group operating company. For more
information, visit HoltRenewables.com or HoltGrp.com.
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SOURCE UNIFIRST CORPORATION