The Timberland Company goes solar in California

The Timberland Company of Stratham today announced its Ontario, California distribution center will begin harvesting 60 percent of its electricity from a newly installed solar panel.

The new addition is expected to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions created by the Ontario distribution center by 480,000 pounds of carbon emissions annually, making it one of the 50 largest solar installations in the world according to company officials.

“We are fully committed to reducing our environmental impact and decreasing dependency on natural resources by finding alternative ways to produce energy,” said company President and CEO Jeffrey Swartz. “The solar panel is one of many future efforts in renewable and green energy practices for Timberland and – I hope for the retail industry as well.”

The Ontario, California site is The Timberland Company’s second distribution center to be powered in part by clean energy sources. The company’s European distribution center in Holland gets all of its power from wind, waste steam and small-scale hydropower sources. Hot water for Timberland’s Dominican Republic manufacturing facility is the result of wind and solar power.

The ceremonial unveiling of Timberland’s new solar panel will kick off the company’s 9th annual global Earth Day celebration on April 22. The company expects more than 7,000 volunteers to perform 46,000 service hours in 140 planned service activities around the world.

The Timberland Company designs, manufactures and markets outdoor footwear and apparel and is known worldwide for its commitment to social and environmental causes. —TRACIE STONE