NYSERDA Press Releases

Quebecor World Buffalo Commits $1Million For Energy Improvements
NYSERDA Provides Nearly $675,000 In Financial Incentives

Depew, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Quebecor World Buffalo, Inc. have partnered in nearly two million dollars worth of projects to improve energy efficiency at Quebecor World's Depew facility. As a result of the improvements, Quebecor World is expected to save approximately $500,000 annually. NYSERDA provided nearly $675,000 in financial incentives to offset the cost of the project.

"As the largest commercial printer in the world, Quebecor World's Buffalo facility employs nearly 1000 people and is a valuable part of Western New York's economy. NYSERDA is pleased to help Quebecor cut costs through energy efficiency," said NYSERDA President William M. Flynn. "In order to make businesses more profitable, Governor Pataki and NYSERDA recognize the importance of partnering with private industry to reduce energy use and cut costs. Energy efficiency improvements such as this not only assist businesses like Quebecor, but also strengthen the economy of the area."

"I strongly support the energy saving program Quebecor has undertaken with NYSERDA. As one of our important local employers, any effort to help Quebecor become more energy efficient and remain competitive in the global printing business is good news for our local employees and economy," said Senator William Stachowski (D-Cheektowaga)

"These incentives awarded to Quebecor by NYSERDA clearly show the State's commitment not only to assisting businesses with energy-efficient improvements, but also to identify any savings possible in the highly competitive printing industry. I realize the importance of low-cost energy in their industry and fully support any and all efforts to improve Quebecor's energy efficiency," said Assemblyman Paul Tokasz (D-Cheektowaga, Lancaster).

Using a variety of NYSERDA programs to identify energy improvements and replace outdated equipment, Quebecor World invested in new lighting, a new chiller and upgraded systems for compressed air and dust collection. Through NYSERDA's Flexible Technical Assistance (FlexTech) Program, Quebecor World used consultants from Wendel Duchscherer of Buffalo to determine where energy efficiency could be improved within the facility. Once improvements were identified Quebecor World and Wendel Duchscherer used financial incentives from NYSERDA's Commercial/Industrial Performance Program to reduce the cost of the energy efficiency upgrades.

Printing paperback books, newspaper inserts and coupon books, the Quebecor World Buffalo facility uses a large amount of electricity to run the printing presses and other machinery, spending approximately $2.3 million dollars in annual energy costs. The new improvements not only conserve energy, but also improve the working conditions of the facility.

"Time-and-time again, NYSERDA has partnered with my administration to help make Western New York a more business and environmentally friendly place. In addition to today's funding for Quebecor, one of our region's top employers, Governor Pataki and NYSERDA have worked with my office to study windmill power and the use of alternative fuels," said Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra.

"The NYSERDA-Quebecor World Buffalo partnership has contributed to significant operational improvements being realized within our one million square foot Depew, New York, facility," said Kevin Clarke, vice president and general manager of Quebecor World Buffalo. "At the same time, we have strengthened the scope of our production platform, improved its overall reliability and improved the working conditions for our employees. We look forward to continuing to be an industry leader with the help of NYSERDA and Wendel Duchscherer in the areas of energy conservation in a manufacturing environment."

"Industry is focused on producing their product, energy is often a secondary concern and expertise. When plant engineers walk through their plant they see product flowing. When we walk through a plant we see rivers of energy flowing," said Scott Smith, energy services group manager for Wendel Duchscherer. "Some of the energy is flowing out the window. Wendel Duchscherer and NYSERDA identified the open windows and then helped to close them."

Quebecor World Buffalo employs more than 1000 people at their Depew facility. Internationally, Quebecor World is the largest commercial printer in the world with more than 40,000 employees and 160 printing and related facilities in the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Columbia, Mexico and India.

Funding for this project comes from NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM program, which is designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. New York Energy $mart^SM encompasses many energy efficiency programs and is available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.

Since 1998, NYSERDA has provided more than $26 million to support more than 500 projects in Erie and Niagara Counties. Combined with co-funding from NYSERDA's partners, the value of these projects is more than $65 million. Among some of the other customers NYSERDA is working with in Erie and Niagara Counties, are: State University of New York at Buffalo, eBidenergy.com Inc., Kreher's Poultry Farm, HSBC Bank USA and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. For more information about NYSERDA, visit www.nyserda.org or call toll-free (866)-NYSERDA.

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