SAM Magazine-Grand Junction, Colo., Dec. 6, 2007-Leitner-Poma of America and Prinoth, both Leitner Technologies companies, today began construction on a $15-million, two-building, 90,000 square-foot office, factory and warehouse here on an 18-acre site adjacent to the Grand Junction Regional Airport. Leitner-Poma of America, previously known as Poma of America, has been operating in Grand Junction since 1981; Prinoth currently has space in neighboring Fruita. The new facility is scheduled for completion in late 2008, and will be home to about 175 employees.

The new facilities will double Leitner-Poma's current space and incorporate energy-efficient systems for heating and cooling. They will use solar photovoltaic panels for electricity and optimization techniques for lighting, among other green-building technologies, in keeping with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles. During summer operations, the entire facility will curb energy consumption through the use of solar, evaporative coolers and high-efficiency air conditioning systems. The goal is to reduce the company's carbon footprint to protect the environment.

To help customers meet new technical advances, service demands, and environmental standards, Leitner Technologies will take such steps as adding solar photovoltaic panels to provide customers with onsite renewable electricity. Both Leitner-Poma and Prinoth will continue to be flexible in product design to take full advantage as new, carbon-reducing technologies become available.

"With the new facilities in Grand Junction, we are looking forward to joining the ski industry and other industries to fight global warming on a local scale," the company said.