The Issue

A global leader in shipping and logistics with multiple U.S. distribution centers needed to identify carbon reduction opportunities to achieve sustainability and carbon neutrality goals. To support its roadmap to net-zero emissions, Burton was tasked with auditing more than 1.2 million square feet of distribution and office space across five large facilities to uncover energy efficiency and emissions reduction strategies.

While traditional lighting and HVAC opportunities were reviewed, Burton also expanded the scope to evaluate on-site vehicles and material handling equipment (MHE), which relied heavily on fossil fuels.

The Burton Solution

Burton conducted comprehensive energy and carbon assessments at five facilities, each with multiple buildings, expansive parking areas, and complex distribution operations. The audits evaluated HVAC systems, lighting fixtures, building controls, and the fleets of transportation and MHE vehicles to determine performance, fuel use, and opportunities for decarbonization.

Fleet and MHE Electrification

• Recommended replacing propane- and diesel-powered equipment—including terminal tractors, forklifts, and floor scrubbers—with lithium-ion battery electric models.
• Enabled substantial reductions in emissions, energy use, and fuel costs, while improving operations and maintenance through reduced mechanical complexity.
• Developed a smart charging strategy balancing slow and fast chargers, ensuring full equipment uptime while minimizing peak demand and cost impacts.

HVAC Decarbonization

• Proposed transitioning gas-fired heating units to electric alternatives, such as heat pumps and electric infrared heating.
• For distribution centers with large air rotation units and natural gas heaters, evaluated multiple pathways to electrification.
• Final solution: infrared heaters, which directly warmed floors, reduced heating loads by up to 40%, and avoided costly electrical infrastructure upgrades.

On-Site Solar PV

• Assessed roof, ground, and carport-mounted solar arrays.
• Found large open roof areas above loading docks capable of hosting significant solar capacity, with potential for some facilities to generate more energy than they consume.