<p><strong>LEHIGH VALLEY, PA</strong> - WinCo is collecting on the many advantages that come with using hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts and handling equipment. WinCo Foods LLC's 800,000 square foot grocery distribution center in Modesto, California now has Air Products' hydrogen fueling technology and infrastructure, up and running. The system provides hydrogen to fuel material handling fuel cell units at the center, according to a press release. Because hydrogen-powered equipment only needs refueling once or twice daily without the processes of replacement or recharging, the company can make more efficient use of its time.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Presently, Air Products is "fueling 33 material handling units, with 49 more pieces of equipment to be included in April, and increasing to 184 overall when the facility conversion to hydrogen-powered fuel cell lifts is complete in 2013." Included in WinCo's material handling units are Plug Power's GenDrive® hydrogen fuel cell power units. The GenDrive systems help to make the refueling process more time and effort efficient. Refueling takes just minutes and also eliminates the requirement of changing, storing, charging, and maintenance associated with the multiple lead acid batteries for each lift. According to Andy Marsh, CEO at Plug Power, Air Products' fuel cell systems help to increase productivity while reducing operational costs over traditional lead acid batteries. The system also helps with the company's goal of creating a more sustainable presence in the industry.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Sarah Hammond, business development manager – Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products, states, "We continue to grow our leadership position in the material handling equipment market at a time when recognition of the productivity and sustainability benefits of hydrogen fueling for this application continues to increase. We worked closely with WinCo as the timing for getting hydrogen supply installed was critical to a seamless conversion of their material handling equipment to hydrogen fuel cells. We began using our mobile fueling technology, and then brought the permanent fueling station online this month which includes two fueling dispensers."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.wincofoods.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
