CHICAGO — February 6, 2012 — Taking a step forward in its commitment to making the environment a healthier place to live, work and learn, Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., has been awarded CarbonNeutral company certification by reducing its carbon footprint to net zero in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. As a result, Bretford is reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through internal reductions and changes in manufacturing. Following internal efficiency measures, for each remaining ton of GHG emissions that Bretford produces, it is purchasing a verified carbon offset, which guarantees an equivalent amount of GHG is reduced from the atmosphere through a renewable energy or clean technology project.

To become a CarbonNeutral® company, Bretford’s CO2 emissions were assessed by an independent third party to determine levels from extraction, processing and transportation of raw materials; production, packaging and storage within manufacturing facilities; and volume and mode of transport to customers. Then modifications were made internally to help reduce emissions. For example, Bretford replaced HID/sodium vapor fixtures with florescent fixtures in its production facilities, resulting in an increase in brightness by 75 percent and a reduction in overall kilowatt hours by 40 percent for 2011, when compared to 2010.