LATHAM, N.Y. (January 19, 2011)—Plug Power Inc. announced the third purchase order it has received from Sysco Corporation for its GenDrive ® fuel cell units. The current order comes from Sysco's Front Royal Virginia Baugh Northeast Co-op, Inc. redistribution facility where 100 hydrogen fuel cell units will power the electric lift truck fleet in the 800,000 sq. ft. redistribution center. The order includes:
- 5 class-1 GenDrive units to be used in sit down counterbalanced trucks
- 76 class-2 GenDrive units to be used in standup reach trucks
- 19 class-3 GenDrive units to be used in pallet jacks
Plug Power received the order from Sysco in November, 2010 and delivered 19 class-3 GenDrive units to the customer in December, 2010.
Baugh Northeast has, to date, used lead-acid batteries to power its lift truck fleet. By changing to GenDrive power units, the company will eliminate the need to purchase multiple batteries for each lift truck. Conversion to fuel cells will allow increased fleet utilization and productivity within the facility. Improvements in operational costs will be identified as the infrastructure associated with the lead-acid battery charging, changing and maintenance is removed opening up 5,000 sq. ft. of facility space to use for other business operations.
As an alternative energy power unit, GenDrive generates only heat and water as byproducts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the Virginia site. By implementing GenDrive solutions, Plug Power customers have been able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent.
"Once again, Sysco has distinguished itself as a forward-thinking industry leader," said Andy Marsh, CEO at Plug Power. "And for Plug Power, it's extremely rewarding to see our commercially viable GenDrive products making a substantial impact for another repeat customer. I'm optimistic that we'll see more of Sysco's distribution centers convert to fuel cells as the benefits continue to be realized within the organization." Baugh Northeast is the third Sysco facility to convert its lift truck fleet to GenDrive fuel cells. Prior conversions have occurred at the Sysco Houston and Sysco Philadelphia sites.
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