FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM – Gabriella White, LLC, parent company to luxury outdoor furniture line Summer Classics and indoor, high style furniture brand Gabby, will flip the switch on July 20 to a new solar panel energy system by Birmingham-based, Eagle Solar and Light. With corporate headquarters located in Pelham, Gabriella White will now be the largest privately held company in Alabama to run on solar energy.

“For me, going solar is something that I have always wanted to do. After being approached about making the switch this past March, we spent a good amount of time carefully analyzing the case for installing solar panels,” said Bew White, CEO of Gabriella White. “Making this step marks a major milestone for our company and for Alabama.”

The newly installed solar panels will produce up to 70 percent of the electricity usage for the 500,000-square foot building, housing 220 employees, the company’s cushion production facility, retail showroom, warehouse and eight conference rooms.

“We are excited to be able to be more ecofriendly to our employees, customers, and the Shelby County community that we call home,” White said. “Doing business with locally-owned companies has always been important to us, so partnering with Eagle Solar and Light was the perfect fit.”

“Eagle Solar and Light is pleased to be a part of Gabriella White’s growing emphasis on renewables,” said Eagle Solar and Light President Joe Bennett. “The system that we designed and installed will be a significant part of Gabriella White’s renewable footprint for many decades to come. From conception to execution, this project has allowed us to utilize the thoughts, ideas and services of many local individuals and companies. This type of project is an excellent way to provide opportunities to others in the area, as well as promote the benefits of solar energy from a business and economic viewpoint.”

This is just the beginning for Gabriella White as we make the transition to becoming is committed to being more energy efficient and working towards a cleaner environment as we serve our employees and our customers.