Rockwell Automation headquarters earns LEED Certification

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One of Milwaukee’s largest employers is "going green" and has the LEED Certification to prove it. It's an effort 12 years in the making, and the upgrades continue day-after-day.

Rockwell Automation, headquartered in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood, has just earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“Part of what we do, part of our core business is helping our customers become more sustainable and more ‘green.’  So it's the right thing to do,” said Facilities Manager Steve Strzok.

Strzok said it was a challenge to get the century-old, 2.1 million square-foot building retrofitted.  But after a $3.2 million investment, the upgrades are now paying off in cost-savings.

Inside, office spaces are using energy-efficient light bulbs, new H-VAC systems are being installed, among other projects.

“It's running the building more efficiently.  It's buying products that we use to clean the facility that are green and sustainable,” said Strzok.

Outside, crews are working to replace the old windows with energy-efficient ones, a green roof was installed about three years ago to reduce storm water runoff, and the iconic Allen-Bradley clock tower is running off of LED bulbs, resulting in $35,000 in annual electric savings.

“So after one year, I paid for the project and we're saving money in the utility bill,” said Strzok.

Rockwell Automation's headquarters is now the largest existing building in Wisconsin to have LEED certification, and the 8th largest in the country.  It is also one of the oldest, proving that “green” upgrades can be made to any structure regardless of size or age.

The company has several other projects planned to follow its "green" initiative.  One specific example is finding LED bulbs for the temperature tower, which could come as early as this Fall.