SSOE Surveys American Companies on Sustainability

Toledo, OH – December 5, 2007 – SSOE, one of the nation’s largest architecture and engineering firms, recently conducted a national survey of companies regarding their sustainability goals and initiatives. In response to these survey findings, SSOE has authored a white paper sharing best practices and strategies to achieve the top four sustainability goals cited by respondents: energy use reduction, recycling, sustainable facility design, and the use of energy efficient products and equipment. Companies surveyed represent diverse markets including alternative energy, automotive, chemical, commercial, construction, distributors, education, manufacturing, government, healthcare, real estate development and retail.

Overall, 45 percent of respondents indicated their company has formalized sustainability goals.  Interestingly, of the companies surveyed 50 percent of all industrial companies have sustainability goals compared to only 26 percent of commercial companies. The automotive and glass industries unexpectedly had the highest number of companies with sustainability goals—75 percent. The survey also revealed a trend toward larger companies being more likely to have sustainability goals in place—28% of companies with 1-100 employees had formal sustainability goals compared to 64% of companies with 10,000 or more employees.  Finally, survey results showed only approximately one-third of companies with sustainability goals have incorporated them into formalized training programs.

About SSOE
Founded in 1948, SSOE, Inc. is an international design firm and ranks 8th among the nation’s largest engineering and architecture firms (Building Design and Construction, 2007). Demonstrating fast and consistent growth, 2007 marks the fourth consecutive year the company has grown its revenue more than 15 percent. SSOE has also been named one of nine Best AEC Firms to Work For (Building Design and Construction, 2007) and as one of the fastest-growing US architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms by ZweigWhite, Hot List 2007.

With nearly 1000 employees and multi-disciplined LEED£ accredited professionals employed in 18 offices around the world the company has earned a solid reputation in facility design for the healthcare, retail, automotive and science and technology markets, as well as process engineering for the alternative energy, biofuels, chemical, food and beverage, glass and personal care industries. SSOE has completed projects in 48 states and 32 countries, and has achieved 60 years of excellence in engineering and architectural design. Visit www.ssoe.com  for additional information and career opportunities.