SPARKS, MD, MAY 13, 2009 - KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices in the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, today celebrated the official opening of its new green headquarters in Sparks, Md. Among those in attendance for the open house and ribbon cutting ceremony was Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, who presented the firm with a Green Renaissance citation.
KCI Technologies was recently named one of Building Design+Construction's 2009 "Best AEC Firms to Work For."
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The event capped a morning-long green tour by members of the countyĀ¹s Sustainability Network and the Department of Economic Development. The tour began at Merritt PropertiesĀ¹ Schilling Green in Hunt Valley, and promoted green tax credits and the countyĀ¹s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2012. Speaking to a large crowd of KCI employees gathered in front of the building, Smith recognized KCI for being a leader in working toward that goal.
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Ā³It is critical that we change our ways as a community, that we really recognize how important it is to do what you have done, and that others recognize how important it is what you have done,Ā² he said. Ā³IĀ¹m very proud that youĀ¹re here, and IĀ¹m very proud of the way youĀ¹re here.Ā²
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Ranked the second largest Baltimore-area engineering firm by the Baltimore Business Journal, KCIĀ¹s own engineers and LEED experts contributed to the design of the green building, which features a white solar reflective roof, water-efficient landscaping, and high-performance climate control, plumbing and electrical systems. In addition, at least 20 percent of the materials were purchased from local manufacturers, and 50 percent of the wood-based materials were built with products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Green-label carpet and low-emitting paints and stains were selected to ensure good indoor air quality, and the materials used for cubicles, countertops and other office features contain significant amounts of recycled content.
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KCI has applied for a U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification for its new four-story facility. The firm expects that it will meet the councilĀ¹s standards for at least a silver rating, which will make it eligible for tax credits.
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Ā³Our commitment to going green has already impacted our bottom line,Ā² said KCI Chairman and CEO Terry F. Neimeyer. Ā³WeĀ¹re saving resources and at the same time saving money. ItĀ¹s a coincidental benefit.Ā²
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KCI Technologies
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With sales of $142 million in 2008, KCI Technologies Inc. is ranked 33rd on Building Design+Construction's Giants 300 list of engineering firm and 88th on Engineering News-RecordĀ¹s current list of the top 500 engineering firms in the country. Roughly 1,000 KCI employee owners support clients from more than two dozen offices throughout the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
KCI offers environmental, transportation, telecommunications, construction, facilities and land development services to government, institutional and private-sector clients. For more information, visit www.kci.com.
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Chris Carbone
Director of Corporate Communications
KCI Technologies Inc.
936 Ridgebrook Rd.
Sparks, MD 21152
410.891.1754
