SRS Improves Lighting for World's Largest Yacht Builder.

MARION, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--

Lighting upgrade enhances efficiency in production area

Beneteau, the world's largest yacht builder, selected Strategic Resource Solutions (SRS) to upgrade the lighting system in a production area of its Marion, SC factory. The 11-year old facility is the only U.S. factory for the French-based yacht builder.

Beneteau sought help from experts in the SRS Lighting Division through parent company Carolina Power & Light to enhance the lighting conditions in its Molding Area, the first stage of the production area where craftsmen hand-roll fiberglass. One of the project goals was to bring the quality of the light up to meet or exceed recommendations of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the nationally-recognized authority on lighting practices in the U.S. The other goal was to save on energy costs by decreasing heat output.

SRS designed and installed a new energy-efficient lighting system that brought light levels to 60 to 69-foot candles at work levels and is expected to cut energy costs associated with lighting the Molding Area in half.

Upgrades to the facility involved replacing older lighting technology with a newer, more energy-efficient system. More than 135 two-lamp industrial fixtures were replaced with 60 metal halide lamps. State-of-the-art pulse-start ballasts were also installed and SRS managed the disposal of the hazardous waste created by the removal of the old ballasts, recycled all spent fluorescent lamps in compliance with EPA guidelines and arranged for all warranties to be registered to Beneteau.

According to Rob Faircloth, maintenance and safety manager with Beneteau's Marion, SC facility, "We are a quality-oriented factory. Our Molding Area needs consistent high-quality lighting. Our craftsmen need to be certain that they are getting every bit of air out of the fiberglass they are rolling so air bubbles won't form and create stress fractures. That helps us prevent rework and enhances our productivity. The new lighting that SRS designed and installed has made a noticeable difference to our staff. And SRS completed the job on time and within budget."

Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, Strategic Resource Solutions Corporation (SRS) specializes in facilities and energy management services for commercial, industrial, educational and government clients nationwide. SRS provides software, systems, lighting solutions, mechanical services and support to help maintain multi-site facilities, control building environments, reduce energy costs and manage information effectively. Through its portfolio of innovative products and services, SRS seeks to help facility managers gain total control over their sites by integrating processes in order to reduce maintenance costs and operating expenses and improve the overall efficiency and quality of their resources.