HORSHAM, Pa., April 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bimbo Bakeries USA is proud to announce that it has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of its company-wide commitment to energy management strategy and leadership in the baking industry.

“Bimbo Bakeries USA has always strived to be leaders in sustainability and minimize our carbon footprint,” said Fred Penny, President, Bimbo Bakeries USA. “We are proud that those efforts have been recognized by the EPA, and we are honored to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year.”

“We seek to actively exceed expectations of environmentally conscious audiences,” said Ramon Rivera, Senior VP of Operations at Bimbo Bakeries USA. “We have implemented programs across the country to improve water, power and energy savings, reduce air emissions and manage
waste using an environmentally responsible system.”

Several key accomplishments for Bimbo Bakeries USA in 2017 include:

• Achieving an energy intensity improvement of 1.5 percent over 2016 and contributing to a three-percent improvement since 2015, all while saving enough energy equivalent to produce over 40 million loaves of bread
• Earning ENERGY STAR certification at 14 of the company’s bakeries
• Achieving the goals of the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry recognition at 11 bakeries since 2013 – the most in the commercial baking sector
• Investing more than $7 million in energy efficiency projects in its bakeries, depots, and retail centers
• Pioneering the use of bio-digestion systems to produce bio gas that has generated over $750,000 in energy savings

“The 2018 ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year have demonstrated real leadership, showing how American families and businesses can save energy, save money, and reduce air emissions,” said Bill Wehrum, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

In 2016 alone, ENERGY STAR certified products, homes, buildings, and plants helped Americans save more than $30 billion in energy costs and approximately 400 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and while achieving broad emissions reductions.

Bimbo Bakeries USA’s accomplishments will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2018.

For a complete list of 2018 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit www.energystar.gov/awardwinners.

About Bimbo Bakeries USA
Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000 U.S. associates operates more than 50 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold®, Artesano®, Ball Park®, Bimbo®, Boboli®, Brownberry®, Entenmann's®, eureka!®, Little Bites®, Marinela®, Oroweat®, Sara Lee®, Stroehmann®, and Thomas'®. BBU is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 32 countries.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR^® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For over 25 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has been America’s resource for saving energy and protecting the environment. Join the millions already making a difference at energystar.gov. More background information about ENERGY STAR can be found at energystar.gov/about and energystar.gov/numbers.

Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped save American families and businesses over $450 billion and over 3.5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity while also achieving broad emissions reductions—all through voluntary action.

CONTACT:
Megan Keohane
Megan.keohane@buchananpr.com
610-228-0404