SMART Opens New Research Center and HQ

May 28, 2009 - ProAV News, rAVe [PUBS],

SMART Technologies has opened its new 211,000-square-foot headquarters and research center in Calgary, Canada. The building is a candidate for Gold certification under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines, as it produces 50 percent less greenhouse gas emissions relative to a typical office building. Environmental features include waterless urinals (I personally HATE the smell of a bathroom with these), low-flow faucets and toilets, motion-activated and energy-efficient light bulbs, non-toxic paints, adhesives, carpets and other synthetic materials, and a reflective roof that reduces cooling requirements during the summer. It cost CDN $60 million to build.

Despite the current global economic climate, SMART says they are continuing to hire to meet the needs of its expanding worldwide customer base and expects to add over 100 full-time employees to its Calgary operations and an additional 100 in other offices across North America and around the world in 2009. In its most recently completed fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, SMART grew revenue by approximately 35 percent, and the 2010 fiscal year is expected to grow at or above this same rate.

No doubt about it, this is one PROFITABLE company! Congratulations to SMART on the new building and on their LEED certification application.