SOLON, Ohio, Nov. 26, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Years before the public turned a collective eye toward sustainable development, Solon-based W.P. Hickman Systems, Inc. was developing and supplying high-performance sustainable roofing products and services for its clients. Now, through an innovative program known as Viridian, W.P. Hickman Systems and Earth Pledge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development, are committed to bringing sustainable "green" or vegetative roof installations to major metropolitan areas across the United States.
The Viridian program's goal is to design and install 200 green roofs by 2010, specifically targeting low income housing developments and educational institutions across the country. Sixteen major metropolitan areas have been chosen for green roof installations, including Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, New York, Seattle, Portland and many others. The goal of this collaboration is to deliver high value, low cost vegetative roofing solutions to these markets to address the serious issue of storm water runoff pollution. Additional benefits of these roofs include lower energy costs, improved building durability, and reduced operating costs while offering tenants, building owners and the entire community significant environmental and economic benefits.
W.P. Hickman Systems has delivered environmentally preferable products and construction applications to the roofing marketplace for more than two decades. "W. P. Hickman has been thinking 'green' for more than 20 years," said Tony Nista, W.P. Hickman Systems' corporate accounts manager. "Our relationship with Earth Pledge comes very naturally and will allow us to reach out to organizations that need us most."
Vegetative roofs are living roofing systems designed to draw on the benefits of vegetation, which reduces heat island effects and effectively manages storm water by reducing runoff. These systems have proven ideal for urban areas where green space is diminished and development has inhibited the absorption of rainwater into the soil.
"This strategic alliance with Earth Pledge is not only an excellent match for W.P. Hickman Systems' expertise and experience, it also precisely meets our objective of contributing to a healthier, more environmentally sustainable community," said W.P. Hickman Systems president and CEO Steve Harnish. "With Earth Pledge and the Viridian program, we can have a positive impact in urban areas across the country and benefit countless people."
In the agreement, W.P. Hickman Systems will identify the appropriate applications required to develop the most economical green roofs for the climactic requirements of each geographic location. W.P. Hickman will provide design services for each project and will help establish best value solutions for the building owner. Additionally, the company will provide premium waterproofing products and systems covered by the industry's longest, most comprehensive 30-year warranty.
Earth Pledge Executive Director Leslie Hoffman said, "We have long understood the value of working with the private sector to achieve our goal of implementing green roofs on affordable housing, and we have found a partner with whom we can realize this goal. Hickman enables us to deliver the most value at the lowest possible cost for these communities in need. We are especially pleased that Hickman will be offering the longest warranty in the industry. This is particularly valuable for the social sector, which tends to retain ownership of their buildings over long periods."
W.P. Hickman Systems recognized nationally for innovative green initiative
In 2006, the National Roofing Contractors Association honored W.P. Hickman Systems with the Excellence in Design award for its work on the "Living Roof" green roof project at Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon and W.P. Hickman Systems collaborated on the project to meet two goals: install an environmentally preferable roof and equip it to be an on-going laboratory project.
During installation, the roof was fitted with specially designed testing and measuring devices that over time will yield hard data on the long-term benefits of vegetative roofing.
In addition to undertaking such projects as the Living Roof, W.P. Hickman Systems was recently certified to the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems standard. This accomplishment underscores the company's dedication to reducing the environmental impact of its own operations and activities, and to assisting other organizations in achieving environmental excellence. W.P. Hickman System, Inc. has been registered as an ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Company since 1998.
Earth Pledge: a green roof leader
Since 2001, Earth Pledge has been at the forefront of green roof development in North America, demonstrating the benefits, encouraging the adoption, and providing the tools to aid in implementation of green roofs by key stakeholders in the private and public sectors. Reaching out to public officials, policy makers, building owners, design and building professionals, developers, companies and community groups, Earth Pledge explores the benefits of green roofs through education and demonstration projects, scientific research, and innovative market development strategies.
About Earth Pledge
Earth Pledge identifies and promotes innovative techniques and technologies that restore the balance between human and natural systems. Through demonstration, education and research, Earth Pledge delivers viable models to government, industry and communities.
Earth Pledge accelerates the transition to sustainability by promoting urban ecological solutions through seven initiatives. Green Roofs, Waste=Fuel, FutureFashion, Farm to Table, Limit 450, Consulting and The Guardian Trust deliver tools and pilot projects that create awareness and demonstrate the financial, social and environmental viability of sustainable technologies. Through targeted research, we quantify the costs and benefits of these approaches, and use the results to support public policy initiatives. To learn more about Earth Pledge's initiatives, visit Earth Pledge online at www.earthpledge.org.
About W.P. Hickman Systems
W. P. Hickman Systems, Inc., a Serefex company (OTCBB:SFXC), is a leading provider of quality roofing and waterproofing systems and solutions to the commercial and industrial building segments. Backed by decades of experience, W. P. Hickman applies a unique performance-oriented approach to identify problems and provide the best solution to meet clients' needs, whether repair, restoration, retrofit or replacement. Many W. P. Hickman products are environmentally preferable and carry Energy Star(r) ratings, Cool Roof Rating Council endorsements and can contribute to achieving LEED(r) certification. W. P. Hickman Systems, Inc. is the industry benchmark for service excellence, delivering world-class Roofing Systems Built for Life(tm). For more information, visit www.wphickman.com.