With this agreement, Lipari Foods increases operational efficiency while decreasing carbon footprint
LATHAM, N.Y.— Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a leader providing energy solutions that change the way the world moves, has added Lipari Foods to its growing customer list in hydrogen powered e-mobility.
Lipari Foods has selected Plug Power GenDrive fuel cells and GenFuel hydrogen fueling station solutions to power the electric material handling vehicles at its campus in Warren, Michigan.
As Lipari Foods continues to expand its business, Plug Power’s zero emission hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) ensure that it can easily scale, maximize the utilization of equipment, and increase productivity of its operators. The fast fueling characteristic of Plug Power’s HFCs allows Lipari Foods to double the usage of its material handling fleet, without using precious real estate for batteries, battery charging, and battery charging equipment.
The partnership allows Lipari Foods to green its facilities, reducing greenhouse gases, while achieving operational savings. Previously, due to space constraints and business growth, Lipari Foods had to load up all their pallet jackets on twelve 53-foot trailers and ship them to another warehouse to charge every day. By harnessing the power of HFCs fast fueling, and space efficient GenFuel Hydrogen dispensers, Lipari Foods will no longer incur this cost.
“Lipari Foods is a new customer we’re proud to work with, and they really showcase what we can offer: a sustainable, clean, and more cost-effective power option for material handling needs than traditional methods,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. “And we’re particularly happy to be an integral part of Michigan’s continued efforts as a leader in the hydrogen economy.”
“We’re looking to continue to grow, expand, and create jobs in Warren and in Michigan broadly,” said Lipari Foods’ CEO, Thom Lipari. “Hydrogen quite literally is powering our factories and facilities to get us where we want to go. I’m excited to see where our partnership with Plug Power takes us, and to be a part of the clean, sustainable energy ecosystem in Michigan.”
Al Moy, Director of Operations at Lipari Foods, said that Plug Power’s HFCs were superior to traditional material handling methods including both battery fast-charging and opportunity charging: “I physically did not have the dedicated space for charging stations for fast or opportunity charging strategies—it just wasn’t tenable,” he explained. “By partnering with Plug Power, we’re able to fully utilize our assets, maintain flexibility, maximize the velocity of goods, and do our jobs better and faster. Accomplishing this, while benefiting the environment and our company’s bottom line, provides wins across the board.”
In 2018 Lipari validated the value proposition with a pilot deployment of GenDrive fuel cells. This agreement will result in full conversion of the Warren, Michigan campus to Plug Power HFCs. The installation of the GenFuel hydrogen fueling station and the GenDrive fuel cell units is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2019.
About Plug Power Inc.
The architect of modern hydrogen and fuel cell technology, Plug Power is the innovator that has taken hydrogen and fuel cell technology from concept to commercialization. Plug Power has revolutionized the material handling industry with its full-service GenKey solution, which is designed to increase productivity, lower operating costs and reduce carbon footprints in a reliable, cost-effective way. The Company’s GenKey solution couples together all the necessary elements to power, fuel and serve a customer. With proven hydrogen and fuel cell products, Plug Power replaces lead acid batteries to power electric industrial vehicles, such as the lift trucks customers use in their distribution centers. Extending its reach into the on-road electric vehicle market, Plug Power’s ProGen platform of modular fuel cell engines empowers OEMs and system integrators to rapidly adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology. ProGen engines are proven today, with thousands in service, supporting some of the most rugged operations in the world. Plug Power is the partner that customers trust to take their businesses into the future. www.plugpower.com.
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