MANITOWOC, Wis., Nov. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) today announced that U.S. Foodservice will deploy Orion's LED technology and intelligent occupancy sensors in freezers at five of its facilities, including Little Rock, AR; Oklahoma City, OK; Boca Raton, FL; Norwich, CT; and Zebulon, NC.

As part of U.S. Foodservice's commitment to sustainable business practices, the company is completing a major lighting retrofit project that includes the installation of Orion's new LED lighting platform.

Designed for freezer applications and launched in June of this year, Orion's I-Frame configuration, reflector design, and adjustable optical lens have proven to provide superior performance in field tests, including a test at U.S. Foodservice's Norwich, Connecticut facility.

In a freezer application, Orion's LED technology turns from completely off to full brightness instantly compared to traditional High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting which can take up to 20 minutes. Because of the LED lamp's ability to operate at extremely low temperatures, the fixture doesn't require an enclosure which results in more efficient light output in addition to making it lightweight and easy to install, saving money on installation and maintenance costs.  In a freezer application, the life of Orion's LED fixture will exceed 100,000 hours.

"In addition to the substantial energy savings and 30 percent increase in light levels, the instant on/off feature of Orion's LED technology was attractive to us,"said Michael Frank, Vice President of Operational Excellence.  "The on/off feature also allows us to easily integrate Orion's InteLite® wireless dynamic occupancy sensors into the system, which increases the savings significantly."

U.S. Foodservice will replace 400-watt High Intensity Discharge (HID) fixtures with 150-watt Orion LED fixtures. The actual number of new fixtures installed will be 15% less than what is currently installed. The dramatic reduction in watts consumed, coupled with the InteLite® control system, is expected to decrease the amount of electricity the food-service distributor uses in its freezers by 1.5 million kilowatt-hours a year, while at the same time increase light levels by 30%. 

The LED platform is the newest addition to Orion's suite of products and technology that delivers energy savings without compromise. All products are designed to save customers money, while reducing electric load on the grid.

U.S. Foodservice began deploying Orion technology in 2009. To date, the company is reducing its energy consumption for lighting by 30-million kilowatt-hours and saving $3.3-million per year.   As a result, U.S. Foodservice will reduce 19,076 tons of greenhouse gasses annually including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury, which are all byproducts of electricity generation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the electricity reduction is the air scrubbing equivalent of a 5,390-acre forest or like saving 4.5-million gallons of gasoline a year.

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 6,128 facilities across North America, including 126 of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 574 megawatts, saving customers more than $1 billion and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by over 8 million tons.

Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their operations. For more information, visit www.oesx.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

The Orion Energy Systems, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4540

U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's leading foodservice distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000 customers. The company proudly employs 25,000 associates in more than 60 locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their expectations. As an industry leader, with access to resources beyond the ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, hotels, government entities and other eating establishments. With approximately $19 billion in annualized revenue, the company is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Visit www.usfoodservice.com to discover how U.S. Foodservice can be Your partner beyond the plate®.

CONTACT:  Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

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          U.S. Foodservice, Inc.

          Christina Koliopoulos, Senior Director, Corporate

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          Mobile: 847-420-4286

          Christina.Koliopoulos@usfood.com

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