From left: Zach McCue, projects director for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker; Kim Bleimann, chairman and CEO of Berjé Inc.; U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone; Courtney McCormick, vice president for renewables and energy solutions for Public Service Electric & Gas; Gillian Bleimann, executive vice president of Berjé; and Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman.
By Joshua Burd
A global distributor of essential oils and aromatic chemicals has unveiled a new 200,000-square-foot solar array at its headquarters facility in Carteret, the firm announced recently.
The company, Berjé Inc., opened the system last week at 700 Blair Road. The display includes nearly 4,100 solar panels covering most of the firm’s 235,000-square-foot facility, which houses its raw materials repository and manufacturing operations.
The building is owned by The Hampshire Cos. Direct Energy Solar installed the roughly $2.7 million solar panel system, which was financed by M&T Bank.
In a news release, Berjé said the solar panels will produce an estimated 1.626 million kilowatt hours annually. The company equated the renewable energy source to planting 24,000 trees, taking 170 cars off the road or reducing the consumption of 106,000 gallons of gasoline.
“The benefits of switching to solar energy are not only substantial for our business but also for our environment,” said Kim Bleimann, chairman and CEO of Berjé. “Sustainability is an important part of our business and it’s important for us to play an active role in protecting our environment for generations to come.
“At Berjé finding new ways to promote sustainability will be a key component to the continued success of our more than 60-year-old family-owned business.”
Company executives and employees unveiled the display last week during a ceremony attended by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone; Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman; Zach McCue, projects director for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker; and Courtney McCormick, vice president for renewables and energy solutions for Public Service Electric & Gas.
“When I think about the next generation of our company, I think about what we need to do now to ensure that our legacy of success continues,” said Gillian Bleimann, executive vice president of Berjé. “Remaining a family-owned business and adhering to our core values is fundamentally important as we look to the company’s future.
“Bolstering our commitment to renewable energy and sustainability efforts will remain a priority as I lead Berjé in to an exciting third generation.”
