DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Builders FirstSource, Inc. (Nasdaq:BLDR) announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore a range of strategic opportunities with WindTronics, Inc. (http://www.windtronics.com), developer of the Honeywell Wind Turbine. The MOU provides that in cooperation with WindTronics, Builders FirstSource will seek these opportunities exclusively for the professional building market including truss design manufacturing for roof-mounted turbines, alternative energy sourcing and installation, and associated building components as consumers around the world look for ways to reduce their energy costs and decrease their carbon footprint.
The Honeywell Wind Turbine design by WindTronics is recognized as a market-changer in alternative energy, generating up to 20% of the average family home's electrical consumption. The turbine begins generating electricity at low wind speeds through its Blade Tip Power System (BTPS), doing away with the need for a gearbox. WindTronics is scheduled to begin manufacturing operations in late 2009 and begin selling the product through retailers and dealers world wide in early 2010. WindTronics was recently awarded the 10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009: Honeywell Wind Turbine -- http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4332392.html
"WindTronics has the aggressive goal of putting a wind turbine on every rooftop," said Brian Levine, VP Business Development & Marketing of WindTronics. "We are proud to partner with a company like Builders FirstSource that can help us extend our reach and make investing in alternative energy a much smoother process for new home buyers and builders."
Floyd Sherman, CEO of Builders FirstSource, said: "We look forward to this opportunity to serve our customers in the ever-increasing demand for green energy. Our truss designs, roofing and wall panel packages can help tailor the turbine to our customers' design envelopes in a seamless construction process. The WindTronics Honeywell Turbine offers home buyers tangible carbon offsets that can be integrated into the daily use of their home. We are very pleased to be working with such an innovative company as WindTronics."
About Builders FirstSource
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Builders FirstSource is a leading supplier and manufacturer of structural and related building products for residential and commercial construction. The company operates in 9 states, principally in the southern and eastern United States, and has 55 distribution centers and 51 manufacturing facilities, many of which are located on the same premises as the distribution facilities. Manufacturing facilities include plants that manufacture roof and floor trusses, wall panels, stairs, aluminum and vinyl windows, custom millwork and pre-hung doors. Builders FirstSource also distributes windows, interior and exterior doors, engineered lumber products, dimensional lumber and lumber sheet goods, millwork and other building products. For more information about Builders FirstSource, visit the company's Web site at www.bldr.com.