It’s news when one of America’s trademark industrial sectors begins to crow about its sustainability efforts. But it’s even more eyebrow-raising when one of the Big Three automakers says sustainability, to steal from one of Ford’s own slogans, is now Job One.
In its recently released 13th annual sustainability report, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said it has radically cut the energy used in its vehicle manfacturing process by 22 percent over the last six years. Ford also plans to further reduce that energy usage by another 25 percent, on a per-vehicle basis, by 2016.
The company’s global director of sustainability and vehicle environmental matters, John Viera, tells GreenBiz the issue of sustainability “has moved from the periphery to the center of our strategy for succeeding in the marketplace and helping to address global challenges.We understand that business practices focused on energy efficiency, sustainable materials, human rights and consumer safety are the key to the continued growth of our company and quality of life worldwide.”
In announcing its report, Ford said the amount of electrical consumption used in vehicle production at its manfacturing facilities was reduced by about 800 kilowatt-hours (kwh) last year. In comparison, the company says, average households in some of the most populated U.S. states — like Michigan, Illinois, California and New York — can use up to 799 kwh per month.
Ford’s progress has reportedly been achieved by investing in energy-saving practices and equipment. The automaker has a new, “three-wet” painting process that reduces both electricity and emissions of C02 and volative organic compounds. It installed a 500-kilowatt solar panel system at its Wayne, Mich. plant, to create renewable energy during production of vehicles like the Focus and Focus Electric. And at its Buffalo stamping plant, a new LED lighting system is saving about 700 watts per fixture.
Source: GreenBiz.com
By Bruce Kennedy