TORONTO, Ont. — The new Canpar Parcel Sortation and Distribution Facility, developed by the Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO) to Canpar specifications, was recently recognized for excellence in overall industrial design and environmental friendliness.

The facility was one of three finalists nominated for the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAIOP) Industrial Development of the Year Real Estate Excellent (REX) Award.

The facility was nominated based on its demonstrated excellence in each of the five elements used as part of the judging criteria.

– Quality and Functionality
– Overall Impression
– Leasing and Financial Performance
– Use of Innovative Solutions
– Achievement of Planning, Environmental and Community Goals

TEDCO and Canpar share the honor of this nomination with the builder, Maple Reinders Contractors Ltd.

“We are extremely proud of the project we have developed,” said Jeffrey Steiner, President & CEO for TEDCO. “TEDCO’s mandate is to grow business, jobs and employment in the City, and the Canpar Distribution and Logistics facility fits perfectly within those guidelines. We are excited about taking this vacant and underutilized property and redeveloping it into a vibrant, attractive, and productive part of the South Etobicoke industrial community.”

TEDCO and Canpar have also demonstrated environmental leadership by incorporating design and construction elements into the Canpar facility to allow the project to achieve LEED Certified status. The Green Building LEED program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) incorporates energy efficiency and sustainable design measures which result in reduced energy consumption and operating costs. LEED evaluation and certification is based on the following five criteria:

– Sustainability
– Water Efficiency
– Energy and Atmosphere
– Materials and Resources
– Indoor Environmental Quality.

“As one of the few small package delivery companies that are 100% Canadian owned, Canpar believes in Canada and in protecting our country’s environment,” said John Cyopeck, company President and CEO. “We are honored that our new facility received a nomination for the REX Award. The design is also an example of the ongoing efforts of the transportation and logistics sector to ensure the protection of our environment.”

The new 170,000 square foot Canpar Toronto sortation facility is scheduled to be operational by July, 2006.