The Volvo Group North America said that three of its U.S. facilities hold the top three positions in the Dept. of Energy’s (DOE) Superior Energy Performance program (SEP), recording the highest energy performance improvements among Platinum level partners.
The Macungie Cab and Vehicle Assembly facility in Macungie, PA, where all Mack Trucks for North America and export are assembled, achieved nearly a 42% improvement during a 10-year timeframe, the company said. The New River Valley assembly plant in Dublin, VA, where all Volvo Trucks for North America are assembled, achieved a nearly 26% improvement over three years, and the Hagerstown powertrain facility, which recently became a Platinum-certified partner and is responsible for powertrain development for Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks and Prevost, improved by nearly 21% during a three-year period.
According to the Volvo Group, to qualify as a Platinum-certified partner a facility must improve energy performance by more than 15% during a three-year period. SEP, an energy management program administered by the DOE, extends beyond the global energy management standard ISO 50001 by adding a verification component to ensure energy savings.
“Environmental care is one of the Volvo Group’s core values, so we are very pleased that our commitment resulted in our three largest U.S. manufacturing facilities achieving the top three positions in the highest category of the SEP program,” said Rick Robinson, director – health, safety and environment for the Volvo Group North America. “We remain dedicated to energy efficiency and will continue to work toward achieving improved energy performance.”
The Volvo Group’s U.S. facilities also participate in the DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plants program with a target to reduce energy intensity by 25% over a 10-year period.
