latest news

Gary Markowitz Invited to Address Edison Electric Institute Conference

Kilojolts President Gary Markowitz will deliver a talk on successful energy awareness programs at the Edison Electric Institute’s National Accounts Workshop in Hollywood, FL on October 4.


City of Cambridge Selects Kilojolts for Energy Management Projects

Kilojolts won a competitive bid from the city of Cambridge (MA) to audit city and school buildings and develop an energy awareness program.

press releases

Kilojolts Consulting Group wins a "Project of the Year" award from New England chapter of Association Of Energy Engineers

Legal Sea Foods Selects Kilojolts To Help Control Restaurant Chain's Energy Costs

Kilojolts Consulting Group Adds Four Foodservice and Hospitality Industry Clients

Kilojolts Consulting Group Adds Four Clients

Gary Markowitz Accepted into Prestigious Lighting Design Society

The Foodservice Manager's Energy Handbook is Treasure Trove of Cost-and-Energy Saving Measures

Consulting Group Launches the Supermarket Manager's Energy Handbook

Energy Executive Gary Markowitz Launches Kilojolts Consulting Group


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

KILOJOLTS CONSULTING GROUP WINS A “PROJECT OF THE YEAR” AWARD FROM NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER OF ASSOCIATION OF ENERGY ENGINEERS

--Award Recognizes Success of Energy Awareness Program Created for Unilever NA--

Lexington, MA – Kilojolts Consulting Group and Unilever have jointly won one of five Energy "Projects of the Year" from the New England Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE.) The award recognizes the success of “Power to Conserve,” the energy awareness and cost-containment program Kilojolts created for Unilever. In its first six months of implementation Power to Conserve has achieved verified measurable results, reducing the company’s energy spend by $2 million over the previous year.

Power to Conserve heightens employee awareness of energy losses that are attributable to wasteful behaviors. “We wanted to overcome losses from things like lights left on, fans left running, and doors left open,” said Jim Pease, Unilever Energy and Environmental Manager, N.A. “We knew that by empowering our workforce to change their perspective, we could cut energy waste and reduce the environmental impact on our communities” Pease said.

Kilojolts developed Power to Conserve to align with Unilever’s corporate culture, management philosophy, and internal communications strategies. “The key to success of any employee awareness program is to customize it to the client’s operation,” said Gary Markowitz, Kilojolts Consulting Group’s president. “Power to Conserve is not viewed as a new ‘program’ at Unilever but as an extension of the company’s commitment to Continuous Improvement.” Power to Conserve created an “army of energy conservation monitors throughout Unilever’s employee base,” said Markowitz. “Through posters, Manager’s Energy Guides, videos, and home energy conservation tips, we extended the reach of the Energy Manager to all parts of the plant.”

Also in keeping with Unilever’s management culture, Power to Conserve provides measured results, verified through Key Performance Indicator (KPI) benchmarking. Using EnerCop®, Kilojolts’ energy accounting and benchmarking software, Markowitz and his team measured energy usage at the 50 Unilever NA plants, comparing year-over-year results. “EnerCop normalizes for weather and production variations, so we can more accurately gauge cost avoidance and improvements in energy productivity,” said Markowitz. “Each Unilever plant manager receives quarterly KPI charts and Energy Scores showing his or her performance quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year. It’s a great energy expense management tool.”

AEE New England Chapter President Joseph Hall said, “Kilojolts and Unilever developed a creative, engaging, and—most importantly—successful energy awareness program whose measurable results impressed our review board. Conservation must be a key component in the mix of responses to the high cost of energy. Programs like Power to Conserve demonstrate the dollars and cents value of addressing human-factor energy waste.”

About Kilojolts Consulting Group
Kilojolts Consulting Group specializes in energy demand side management and cost containment procurement practices for commercial, industrial, and municipal clients. Founded in 1999 by Gary K. Markowitz, the Lexington, MA-based Kilojolts applies leading-edge best practices and innovative engineering, financial, and negotiation strategies to help clients improve operating efficiencies and reduce energy-related costs.

About Unilever
Unilever [NYSE: UL, UN], one of the world’s largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs more than 15,000 people in 74 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico – generating approximately $10 billion in sales in 2004. For more information visit www.unileverusa.com.

About the Association of Energy Engineers
AEE International is a not-for-profit trade association, based in Atlanta. Their mission is to educate energy managers and professionals. The New England Chapter is the largest chapter worldwide with 700 members and was awarded 2005 Best Overall Chapter in the USA.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

LEGAL SEA FOODS SELECTS KILOJOLTS TO HELP CONTROL RESTAURANT CHAIN'S ENERGY COSTS

Lexington, MA, -- Kilojolts Consulting Group today announced it has signed an agreement with Legal Sea Foods to provide energy management services to the Allston, MA-based restaurant chain. Kilojolts will negotiate favorable electricity and gas contracts for the company's 26 restaurants, from Boston to Florida, and for its Quality Control Center in Allston.

Kilojolts President Gary K. Markowitz said the advent of energy deregulation has increased cost control opportunities for companies like Legal Sea Foods. "Most of the states where Legal Sea Foods does business now have competitive energy markets," said Markowitz. "We expect to significantly lower each restaurant's utility bills by negotiating rates below the current utility rates," he said.

Kevin Foley, Director of Plant Operations for Legal Sea Foods, said his company was looking to take full advantage of the deregulated marketplace to lower its costs and was "pleased to be working with Kilojolts."

About Kilojolts Consulting Group Kilojolts Consulting Group specializes in energy conservation and cost containment for the food service, hospitality, and banking industries. Founded in 1991 by Gary K. Markowitz, the Lexington, MA-based Kilojolts applies leading-edge best practices and innovative engineering, financial, and negotiation strategies to help clients improve operating efficiencies and reduce energy-related costs.

For more information contact Gary Markowitz at 781-861-6800 or visit www.kilojolts.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

KILOJOLTS OCONSULTING GROUP ADDS FOUR FOODSERVICE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY CLIENTS

Lexington, MA -- Kilojolts Consulting Group, (KCG) an energy management and lighting design consulting firm headed by Gary K. Markowitz, has retained four new foodservice industry clients. Kilojolts specializes in designing energy cost containment strategies for restaurants, supermarkets, and hospitality industry chains.

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Brattleboro, VT
C&S Wholesale Grocers is the nation’s third largest food wholesaler and the 13th largest privately held company. It retained KCG as its “virtual energy manager,” to oversee utility negotiations for gas and electricity, to implement conservation measures at its warehouses and retail supermarket division (Grand Union Family Markets); and to introduce energy education to C&S employees.

Safeway, Pleasanton, CA
Safeway is one of North America’s largest supermarket chains, with more than 1,650 stores across the US and Canada. The company’s Northern California division has retained KCG to implement an energy education and conservation program that builds on Safeway’s leadership in environmental responsibility.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Aurora, CO
Xanterra is the country's largest park & resort management company, and a leader in orchestrating effective, efficient partnerships with the National Park Service. KCG is developing a pilot energy awareness and conservation program for three Xanterra-managed facilities at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Bickford’s Family Restaurants, Boston, MA
Kilojolts is managing energy procurement for this growing chain of 65 restaurants, located throughout New England.

Mr. Markowitz founded Kilojolts Consulting Group in 2000, following a 20+-year career as a corporate energy manager at several Boston-area companies, including 13 years at Raytheon’s Missile Systems division. Through innovative conservation and procurement strategies, aggressive negotiations, and leading-edge business practices, Kilojolts helps clients improve operating efficiencies and reduce energy and facilities-related costs.

For more information, contact Gary Markowitz at 781-861-6800

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

KILOJOLTS OCONSULTING GROUP ADDS FOUR CLIENTS

Lexington, MA Kilojolts Consulting Group, (KCG) an energy management and lighting design consulting firm headed by Gary K. Markowitz, has retained four new clients.

Cambridge Savings Bank, Cambridge, MA Kilojolts Consulting Group will act as a virtual energy manager, overseeing gas deregulation, electricity deregulation, conservation, and energy education for the 11-branch financial services company.

Papa Gino's Restaurants and D'Angelo Sandwich Shops, Dedham, MA Kilojolts will conduct a pilot program in a 10-restaurant trial to promote energy education among employees.

Yankee Candle Company, South Deerfield, MA Kilojolts will act as virtual energy manager, overseeing gas deregulation, electric deregulation, conservation, and energy education for the nation's leading scented candle designer, manufacturer, retailer, and wholesaler.

The Fortress Corporation, Boston, MA Kilojolts is overseeing various energy management projects for Fortress, the leading provider of museum quality storage and services, with locations in Boston, New York, and Miami.

Mr. Markowitz founded Kilojolts Consulting Group in 2000, following a 20+-year career as a corporate energy manager at several Boston-area companies, including 13 years at Raytheon's Missile Systems division. Through innovative conservation and procurement strategies, aggressive negotiations, and leading-edge business practices, Kilojolts helps clients improve operating efficiencies and reduce energy and facilities-related costs.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

GARY MARKOWITZ ACCEPTED INTO PRESTIGIOUS LIGHTING DESIGN SOCIETY

Lexington, MA – Gary K. Markowitz, president of Kilojolts Consulting Group, has been accepted into the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the lighting industry’s most prestigious professional organization. IALD applicants must be sponsored by a current member and demonstrate excellence in the practice of lighting design.

With over 20 years of lighting design and energy management experience, Mr. Markowitz has successfully designed and implemented illumination systems for clients in all sectors, including commercial, industrial, retail & food service, and residential. Mr. Markowitz has served on the Editorial Advisory Board of Architectural Lighting Magazine, has been recognized for design excellence by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the General Electric Company, and has published numerous articles on such lighting design topics as energy and environmental issues, fiber optic lighting, and legislative concerns.

Mr. Markowitz's firm, Kilojolts Consulting Group, provides lighting and energy management solutions to a broad rage of clients. Prior to founding Kilojolts in 2000, Mr. Markowitz was Corporate Energy Manager and Lighting Designer for Star Markets Company in Cambridge, MA. He is the former Energy Administrator/Facilities Engineer for the Raytheon Company's Electronic Systems Division.

For more information contact Gary Markowitz at 781-861-6800 or visit www.kilojolts.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

THE FOODSERVICE MANAGER’S ENERGY HANDBOOK IS TREASURE TROVE OF COST- AND ENERGY-SAVING MEASURES --Newly Published Manual Helps Restaurant Managers Control Energy Waste—

Lexington, MA – Energy expense ranks among the top 5 expenditures in a restaurant’s budget, but few managers have the experience or internal expertise to rein in these soaring costs. Now, managers can take advantage of a turnkey energy management program that addresses the unique energy needs of the foodservice industry.

The Foodservice Manager’s Energy Handbook, produced by Kilojolts Consulting Group, an energy management consulting firm specializing in the food and retail industries, is a step-by-step manual that helps restaurant managers put a stop to “energy shrink.” The Food service Manager’s Energy Handbook is a follow-up to the successful Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook©, which has helped small and large supermarket chains dramatically reduce their energy costs.

Written in layman’s terms, with colorful graphics and easy-to-follow instructions, the Energy Handbook can be implemented by any size restaurant chain, and will be easily understood by any level of employee. Kilojolts President Gary Markowitz, author of The Foodservice Manager’s Energy Handbook, said restaurant managers could expect to conservatively reduce their energy costs between 5%-10%. “The Handbook takes a ‘whole restaurant’ approach, addressing every section of the restaurant, from the kitchen to the stock room, to the front of the house,” said Markowitz. “With a simple 12-step approach to energy awareness and conservation, restaurants can make a huge dent in their energy bills,” he concluded.

Accompanying The Foodservice Manager’s Energy Handbook is Kilojolts’ energy accounting software program, EnerCop™( EnerCop™ is used for real-time performance benchmarking of all stores, which, according to Markowitz, “define a chain’s progress or regression and catch irregularities before they turn into severe budgetary problems.” Statistical data derived from EnerCop™ dovetails with the Foodservice Manager’s Energy Handbook as the basis for the energy training process.

The Foodservice Manager’s Energy Handbook is, in a sense, an “energy manager in a box,” said Markowitz. “The Handbook comes with everything a restaurant manager needs to implement this simple, sustainable program, from thermometers for gauging proper operating temperatures to color-coded stickers that identify when certain equipment should be turned on and off…and it’s backed by over 23-years of energy management experience,” he continued. Pricing for The Foodservice Manager’s Energy Handbook depends upon the size of the chain. For pricing information, or to purchase the Handbook, contact Gary Markowitz at 781-861-6800 or at garym@kilojolts.com. A complete presentation on the Handbook may be found at the Kilojolts Consulting Group web site, www.kilojolts.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

CONSULTING GROUP LAUNCHES THE SUPERMARKET MANAGER’S ENERGY HANDBOOK

Turnkey Manual Helps Supermarket Managers Control “Energy Shrink”

Lexington, MA – Energy expense ranks among the top 5 expenditures in a supermarket’s budget, but few managers have the experience or internal expertise to rein in these soaring costs. Now, supermarket managers can take advantage of a turnkey energy management program that addresses the unique energy needs of the supermarket industry.

The Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook, produced by Kilojolts Consulting Group, an energy management consulting firm specializing in the food and retail industries, is a step-by-step manual that helps managers put a stop to “energy shrink.” Written in layman’s terms, with colorful graphics and easy-to-follow instructions, the Energy Handbook can be implemented by any size supermarket chain, and will be easily understood by any level of employee.

Kilojolts President Gary Markowitz, author of The Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook, said supermarket managers could expect to conservatively reduce their energy costs between 7%-12%. “The Handbook takes a ‘whole store’ approach, addressing every area of the supermarket, from the back room to the customer service booth,” said Markowitz. “With a simple 12-step approach to energy awareness and conservation, supermarkets can make a huge dent in their energy bills,” he concluded.

Accompanying The Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook is Kilojolts’ energy accounting software program, EnerCop™( EnerCop™ is used for real-time performance benchmarking of all stores, which, according to Markowitz, “define a chain’s progress or regression and catch irregularities before they turn into severe budgetary problems.” Statistical data derived from EnerCop™ dovetails with the Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook as the basis for the energy training process.

The Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook is, in a sense, an “energy manager in a box,” said Markowitz. “The Handbook comes with everything a supermarket manager needs to implement this simple, sustainable program, from thermometers for gauging proper operating temperatures to color-coded stickers that identify when certain equipment should be turned on and off,” he continued. Pricing for The Supermarket Manager’s Energy Handbook depends upon the size of the chain. For pricing information, or to purchase the Handbook, contact Gary Markowitz at 781-861-6800 or at garym@kilojolts.com. A complete presentation on the Handbook may be found at the Kilojolts Consulting Group web site, www.kilojolts.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Fruitt Fruitt Communications 781-274-0330

ENERGY EXECUTIVE GARY MARKOWITZ LAUNCHES KILOJOLTS CONSULTING GROUP

Former Raytheon, Star Markets Energy Manager to Focus on Guiding Companies through Deregulation

Lexington, MA – Gary K. Markowitz, the former corporate energy manager at Star Markets Company, has formed Kilojolts Consulting Group, an energy management and lighting design consulting firm. Drawing on his more than 20 years of experience in the energy and lighting fields, Mr. Markowitz will initially focus his efforts on helping companies reap the financial and operational benefits of energy deregulation, conservation, and training.

Mr. Markowitz already has a successful track record in these areas, guiding Star Markets, Big-Y Foods, and a division of Raytheon, where he was employed for 13 years. Since 1996, he has successfully assisted these companies in negotiating highly favorable electricity and gas supply contracts. “Electricity deregulation has been a reality in Massachusetts since 1998, and natural gas was deregulated in 1996,” says Markowitz, “but very few organizations have been able to take full advantage of these opportunities. Businesses, group buying associations, retail establishments, real estate developers—everyone can, and should, reap the benefits of deregulation. I formed Kilojolts Consulting Group to help clients safely seize that opportunity.”

During his career, Mr. Markowitz has successfully implemented energy management, lighting design, and energy training programs for the United States Government, private industry, religious institutions, and for the commercial, retail, and residential sectors. While at Raytheon’s Electronic Systems Division, his accomplishments and expertise were recognized with the United States Navy’s “Award for Achievement in Energy Conservation” and the Department of Defense/Department of Energy “Award for Individual Achievement.”

In addition to providing a comprehensive approach to energy deregulation, Kilojolts Consulting Group offers clients: Energy cost containment & reduction services, utility rate evaluations and negotiation, and demand-side management. Lighting services include design for the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors, illumination system assessments and enhancements, lighting maintenance programs, and turnkey lighting energy conservation retrofits. Mr. Markowitz, a widely published trade magazine author, is a former member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Architectural Lighting Magazine.

For more information contact Gary Markowitz at 781-861-6800 or visit www.kilojolts.com.

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