The RDO Equipment Co. store in McKinney, Texas, has been awarded LEED Certification.

The RDO Equipment Co. store in McKinney, Texas, has been awarded LEED Certification. Completed in 2015, the McKinney store is the first RDO Equipment Co. building to achieve this prestigious designation, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Several unique design elements and features were incorporated into the McKinney store, specifically to meet LEED credit requirements. Interior materials including carpet, wall coverings and floor tile are made from recycled content. To improve indoor air quality, low-emitting paints, coatings and adhesives were used throughout the building. Outside, the facility features water-efficient landscaping designed to reduce water use by 50 percent. RDO Equipment Co. also implemented a green cleaning policy, which specifies only environmentally-friendly cleaning products are to be used at the store.

Tim Curran, LEED AP BD+C, architect and construction manager of RDO Equipment Co. spoke of the project, which he said sets the bar high for future company endeavors.

“The McKinney project was a challenging one, but at the same time very rewarding for us to know we were creating a sustainable structure for employees and customers to enjoy for many years to come,” he said. “It was an exciting experience to be a part of the company's first LEED-certified project.”

Jim Carell, general manager of RDO Equipment Co. — McKinney, echoed Curran's sentiment.

“I am proud to manage a facility that not only provides state-of-the-art service capabilities for our customers and a comfortable, safe environment for our employees, but one that reflects the values of RDO Equipment Co.,” he said. “The greater time and dollar investment it takes to achieve LEED certification shows our organization's commitment to and respect for our customers, employees, and community.”

Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair, USGBC, commented on the significance of the achievement.

“RDO Equipment Co. — McKinney's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” he said. “The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and RDO Equipment Co. serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”

LEED is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. More than 58,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 10.7 billion sq. ft. of construction space in all 50 states and more than 140 countries.

For more information, visit rdoequipment.com and USGBC.org.

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