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Huge Kraft Foods Distribution Center Lands LEED Gold

The Kraft distribution facility is the largest of its kind in the world to earn LEED-CI Gold.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 6/17/2008 12:00:00 AM

Kraft Foods, a household name for familiar food items like Wheat-Thins, Jell-O, and A-1 Steak Sauce, has another claim to fame: An 800,000-square-foot distribution center that has achieved LEED-CI (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors) Gold from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Located near Chicago in Morris, Illinois, the Kraft facility was developed by ProLogis, owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities. It is the largest of its kind in the world to achieve the honor and Kraft's first foray into LEED for a distribution center.

Green design features include:

•    energy-efficient fluorescent lighting with multi-level lighting controls

•    a high-tech HVAC system that improves air quality and slashes power usage by 40 percent

•    recycled and locally sourced materials during construction, with nearly 100 percent of construction debris diverted to recycling centers rather than landfills

•    FSC-certified wood

•    Interior paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission levels.

"This is a great accomplishment for our company and provides tremendous momentum for our future sustainability initiatives," says David Klavsons, vice president, logistics for Kraft.

Completed in early 2007, the facility is the first building in ProLogis Park, an ongoing development project.

Kraft is the second largest food and beverage company in the world.