Volvo Group North America achieved its goal of reduced energy consumption in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge five years earlier than anticipated. Volvo Group’s goal had been a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption at its eight U.S. manufacturing plants between 2009 and 2020. By the end of 2014, Volvo Group, one of only 11 companies to meet its goal early, had reduced energy consumption by 26.8 percent compared with its 2009 baseline.
“One of the Volvo Group’s core values is environmental care, so we are pleased to be among a select few companies to achieve our goal under the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge early,” said Rick Robinson, director of health, safety and environment for the Volvo Group North America. “Reaching this milestone required the diligence and dedication of all our employees, and we will continue to strive for improved energy efficiency.”
Volvo Group North America’s record in energy efficiency reflects efforts to reduce consumption at eight manufacturing facilities in the United States:
- Volvo Trucks, Dublin, Va.
- Volvo Group Powertrain, Hagerstown, Md.
- Mack Trucks, Macungie, Pa.
- Volvo Construction Equipment, Shippensburg, Pa.
- Volvo Penta, Lexington, Tenn.
- Volvo Bus, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
- Volvo Group Remanufacturing, Charlotte, N.C.
- Volvo Group Remanufacturing, Middletown, Pa.
“As the Better Buildings Initiative enters its fourth year, leaders continue to showcase how saving energy saves money, creates jobs, and most importantly, accelerates the nation’s competitiveness in the clean energy economy while preserving our environment for generations to come,” said energy secretary Ernest Moniz.
Volvo Group North America’s leadership in energy efficiency has been recognized in other ways. The company announced late last year that, at the time, three of its manufacturing sites – Macungie, New River Valley and Hagerstown – held the top three positions in DOE’s Superior Energy Performance program, recording the highest energy performance improvements among Platinum level partners.
Since DOE launched the Better Buildings Challenge in 2011, more than 250 partners have saved $840 million and saved 94 TBTUs of energy, which represents six million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. For more on the Better Buildings Challenge, visit www4.eere.energy.gov/challenge/home.
