Press Releases

WESTON and ABC Supply Unveil Revolutionary Green Roof Technology

GreenGrid™ Roof Helps Building Owners Lower Energy Costs and Add Natural Beauty

Beloit, WI - August 14, 2001 - Can a green roof increase your bottom line? Yes - according to Roy F. Weston, Inc. (WESTON®) and American Builders and Contractors Supply Co., Inc. (ABC Supply) - who today unveiled a revolutionary green roof technology ideal for industrial, commercial and government facilities. The technology - the GreenGrid™ System - quickly transforms an unattractive roof into a beautiful, energy-efficient rooftop garden.

"The GreenGrid™ System is designed to help building owners and managers extend the life of the roofing system, manage skyrocketing heating and air conditioning costs and provide a new functionality for your property's unused space," said GreenGrid™ designer Don Mischo, of roofing supply giant ABC Supply. During the summer months, the temperature of a conventional flat rooftop can soar up to 175° F. - hot enough to fry an egg. By contrast, a GreenGrid™ roof rarely will get hotter than 77° F.

Green roofs have been important in European countries as an accepted energy conservation and stormwater management method. European green roofs are generally complicated systems consisting of a waterproof membrane and drainage layer, insulation, root barriers, soil layers, wind erosion blanket and finally…plants. These roof installations are costly and often require a significant amount of time to plant.

The GreenGrid™ System offers a distinct advantage over traditional European-style green roofs due to its simplicity of design and cost competitiveness. The GreenGrid™ modular system, made of recycled materials, can be installed without the need of specialized equipment. Installations, depending on roof size, can be completed in a few days to a few weeks.

Green building experts are commending the new GreenGrid™ System. "Green roofs offer a near term solution to maximize building efficiency while reducing urban air temperatures and pollution. We applaud the efforts of this team to produce a flexible green roof product that can make our cities more livable," said Christine Ervin, CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council. The Council is the nation's foremost coalition of industry leaders who promote environmentally responsible buildings.

"Building owners and managers will appreciate the GreenGrid™ System's lightweight, modular design that arrives at the worksite planted and ready for installation," said Kenneth Hendricks, ABC Supply's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Energy savings are a key benefit of the system. A recent study by WESTON estimates that greening the rooftops of all city buildings in Chicago would result in nearly $100 million of annual energy savings. Peak electricity demand would be cut by 720 megawatts, which is the equivalent of several coal fired generating units. Green roofs also increase the life of a roof membrane, provide usable space for recreation, increase property values and retain significant rainfall, thereby reducing stormwater runoff.

"This is an entirely new concept in green roof technology," said William Robertson, WESTON Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the simplicity of design and the economic benefits to our clients will have a major impact on the entire commercial roofing industry. This technology will also impact government policy and initiatives to reduce urban heat island effects."

WESTON provides infrastructure redevelopment services worldwide. With an emphasis on creating lasting economic solutions for its clients, the company's services include site remediation and redevelopment, infrastructure operations and knowledge management to bring impaired facilities, land, and other resources back to productive use.

ABC Supply is the largest U.S. wholesale distributor of roofing and siding materials, tools, and supplies. Founded in 1982, ABC Supply currently has more than 200 locations in 43 states. Specializing in select product lines, it offers the professional contractor (large or small) competitive pricing, superior pick-up and delivery service, and the highest quality building materials available.

For more information and photos of the GreenGrid™ System, visit www.greengridroofs.com. More information about WESTON and ABC Supply is available at WESTON on the Web at www.westonsolutions.com and www.abcsupply.com, respectively.

For a tour of the GreenGrid™ installation at ABC Supply's corporate headquarters in Beloit, WI, contact Sandra McCullough at 312-424-3306.

News Media Contact:
Sandra McCullough - 312-424-3306
greengridroofs@westonsolutions.com

Copyright 2001, Roy F. Weston, Inc.