ON SPEC

Shake Shack, a popular “roadside-style” food stand located in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, has gone green with 100% renewable electricity. With the help of its electricity supplier (Strategic Energy, Pittsburgh), the eatery purchased renewable energy credits (RECs), which represent energy generated by natural, non-depleting sources.

“Strategic Energy was able to provide us with a cost-effective way to power the facility that was socially and environmentally responsible,” said Jon Vandegrift, general manager of Shake Shack. “We’re proud to say that Shake Shack is now powered by 100% wind power.”

The RECs purchased by Shake Shack indirectly offset about 144,044 lbs. of carbon dioxide.

A new, re-roofing the historic LaSalle Bank Building in downtown Chicago. The roofing contractor, Preservation Services, suggested a system that includes the combination of two new products by Johns Manville and a soy-based reflective coating (ELMS) by Green Products.

“They [Preservation Services] are the experts, and I know they would provide the best roofing system available,” said Greg Prather, VP and general manager, Jones Lang LaSalle, which manages the building.

Prather wanted a quality roof installed without a torch or hot asphalt. He also wanted a reflective surface that would reduce heat load, contribute to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED objectives, and embrace Chicago’s stringent energy codes.

In response, Preservation Services recommended the combination of Johns Manville’s Invinsa Roof Board, a resilient, lightweight cover board, and JMCleanBond, a self-adhering, fire-resistant fiberglass-reinforced roofing membrane that is durable and environmentally friendly; and ELMS coating.

“This specification is a prototype that provides superior performance characteristics while addressing environmental concerns,” said Keith Walker, president, Preservation Services, Romeoville, Ill.

The project presented a number of logistical challenges. The landmark building is 45 stories tall and has 32 different roof levels. All access was through existing office space, which required the team to work at night and stage the materials in a mechanical room on one floor. The roof areas are very small, from 56 sq. ft. to 220 sq. ft.

“Invinsa worked perfectly with the handling and staging challenges,” Walker said. “It’s lightweight, clean, easy to use and adds a resilient layer of protection. It was easy to cut, and get a tight fit around penetrations.”

J.C. Penney has nam ed Sparks Custom Retail, the Philadelphia-based retail fixturing division of Sparks, as a Supplier of the Year.

Carlisle Construction Materials, Carlisle, Pa., has acquired Premier Building Systems, Fife, Wash.

The Mohawk Group, Calhoun, Ga., will purchase certain assets of Columbia Forest Products, Portland, Ore., one of its largest wood suppliers.

Schneider Electric, RueilMalmaison, France, will acquire Pelco, Clovis, Calif. Pelco will operate within Schneider’s Building Automation Business Unit, TAC, and will remain headquartered in Clovis.