Virginia Beach recognizes Stihl for sustainable development
The City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission recently presented its first-ever award for Sustainable Development to Stihl Inc. for the 60,000-square-foot green roof on its new guide bar plant.
Dan Beck, left, of Beck Roofing and Christian Koestler, director of technology and machining kneel atop the green roof on Stihl’s new guide bar plant.The company cites the new guide bar facility roof as an efficient use of space. “More than 56,000 sedum plants make it a ‘living’ roof, which cools the building in the summer and retains heat in the cooler months, lowering energy usage,” said Dan Beck of Beck Roofing in Norfolk, Va.
The roof is the largest privately-owned roof in Virginia and has been paying dividends since the installation, according to Beck.
“We are very pleased that the City of Virginia Beach singled out our effort in reducing our environmental footprint,” said Stihl President Fred Whyte. “We look forward to including these types of efforts in our expansion plans where there is a fit.”
The green roof reduces energy consumption and costs, extends roof life, improves sound insulation, and decreases storm water runoff. The Stihl campus boasts two such roofs on new construction.
Stihl has invested considerable resources in making energy-efficient products that minimize their impact on the environment. They are committed to developing powerful, fuel-efficient outdoor power equipment while using production practices that are environmentally responsible.