(West Des Moines, Iowa — November 18, 2008) On Monday, November 24, Kum & Go, L.C., will conduct a public ribbon cutting ceremony for the first anticipated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) convenience store in the Midwest. In addition, the store will commemorate being the 100th E85 location in Iowa. To celebrate with the public, Kum & Go will be offering E85 for a dollar a gallon from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The ribbon cutting, which begins at 1:30 p.m., will include speakers Kyle J. Krause, Kum & Go president and CEO; Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture; and Paula Dierenfeld, Mayor of Johnston. The new Kum & Go store is located at 5800 Northglenn Drive, Johnston, IA.
"We are strongly convinced that LEED certification is the next logical step for Kum & Go," says Kyle J. Krause, Kum & Go president and CEO. "Kum & Go was a pioneer in introducing E85 fuel to the marketplace. We also strive to maintain our leadership in the industry to grow our company while always benefitting our customers. As the first to open a proposed LEED certified store, this demonstrates our interest in increasingly adopting environmentally responsible practices for our customers, our business, our local community and the environment, and it encourages others to become more environmentally conscious."
Kum & Go has filed for registration with the U.S. Green Building Council and expects to obtain LEED certification within six months. The Council will rate the store on a number of categories, including water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design. Once certified, Kum & Go would be the only convenience retailer in the Midwest with a LEED certification.
As part of Kum & Go’s commitment to developing environmentally friendly building and operating practices, the majority of new stores are constructed using local building materials, and are equipped with heavily insulated glass, LED cooler door lights, sun reflecting roofs and energy-efficient heating/air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Additional measures for LEED® certification include providing alternative transportation options such as electronic vehicle charging and carpool/van parking, construction waste management, 30% water use reduction and use of materials that do not emit solvent vapors and other harmful chemicals into the store environment.
The Kum & Go store at 5800 Northglenn Drive in Johnston is the company’s first LEED store and will serve as the pilot for future LEED builds.
About Kum & Go, L.C.
Founded on exceptional customer service, Kum & Go is a pioneer in the convenience store industry. The family-owned company began in 1959 in Hampton, Iowa, and has grown to more than 431 convenience stores in 12 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and Wisconsin). Thanks to the efforts of its more than 3,600 associates, Kum & Go convenience stores continue to lead the industry in customer service and convenience. In addition to a wide selection of products, Kum & Go provides customers a proprietary mix of products under the well-known Hiland brand name. Other proprietary product offerings include Java Ridge Premium Coffee, Napa Creek and Sea Ridge wines, Go Fresh Market sandwiches, Nuclear energy drinks and Nutri2o nutraceutical waters.
Kum & Go has maintained 50 years of dedicated community commitment, each year returning at least 10 percent of its profits to the communities it serves. Kum & Go is the 5th largest privately-held convenience store chain in the United States. For more information about Kum & Go, visit www.kumandgo.com.
