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One of our reoccurring themes is that we assert projects must be connected to the enterprise’s sustainability or corporate social responsibility mission/vision. Automobile manufacturing projects should be no different.  Most are getting the message, and that is that the mission/vision is connected to the market place, i.e. what the stakeholders are asking for, and that whatever enterprise projects are undertake are connected to that mission/vision.

Take Subaru for example.  "Subaru of America is commited to being a leader in environmental intiatives while continuing to reduce our own footprint.  Being green isn't a trend.  It's who we are and what we stand for." Customer (stakeholder) feedback is driving their sustainability efforts.  It is because the Subaru claims to be “Earth-friendly” and highly community involved.  Those are expectations set for the customer, therefore, the customer expects those, and the feedback will reflect those expectations.  Subaru also claims that it is part of their “DNA"and a Subaru “drives green.”  They set high goals in terms of reuse and recycling at their manufacturing facilities as another example of what they call (and by the way we call when it comes to projects in an enterprise) “where the rubber meets the road.”  Subaru produces, what they call, “eco-performers, offering finely tuned versatile, efficient, and long lasting products without compromising their collective conscience.”  Collective meaning supply chain to customer and beyond (ultimate disposal- an example of life cycle thinking).

Some of the information contained in their latest owner’s magazine (drive Spring 2014) includes:

  • Discontinued use of lead in some parts, replaced by recyclable resin
  • Reduced CO2 emissions (down 26% since 1991)
  • Reduced VOC (volatile organic compounds) in the painting and coating (down 48%)
  • Reduce water usage (down 50%)
  • Reduced power consumption (by 61.9%) in parts distribution centers by use of LED lighting
  • Almost 34,000 used (damaged or end-of-life) bumpers reused in manufacturing
  • More than 14 million tons of end-of-life steel recycled every year

The list goes on.  These are pretty impressive numbers, but to complete the projects and the connection to the mission/vision, we also look to some of the organizations that Subaru partners with.  Subaru partners with United by Blue, a sustainable clothing manufacturer committed to removing 1 lb. of trash from our oceans or waterways for every product sold.   They also partner with Leave No Trace, a center for “outdoor ethics” that strives to “teach people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly,” using local community involvement, youth education, and multicultural outreach as tools to accomplish their goals.  Subaru also works with Greensgrow Farms, “a nationally recognized leader in urban farming.”  Some of Greensgrow projects include , among other things, “Green roofs on composting toilets, washing machines stripped down to spin-dry lettuce, honey bees perched on top of a biodiesel shed, a neighborhood lawn replaced with an heirloom tomato garden, plants grown to measure lead uptake .”

There are lots of cars and trucks on the road, and a large number of companies supplying those needs.  With more stakeholders (car buyers, company employees, general population) becoming increasingly concerned about sustainability, it only makes sense (cents) that the companies that supply the needs are getting on board.  The hope, and our assertion is that while these companies may be “onboard” with sustainability, all of their projects, not matter the size, need to be connected to that mission/vision by their actions.  If there isn’t a project connection, then not only is the company missing the potential market advantage sustainability will afford, but also the people, planet and profit aspects that being more efficient and responsible would bring.  (Source: drive Magazine, Spring 2014, Subaru: Driving Green by Design.  Through manufacturing.  In Enjoyment – Kristin Terpeza. )


Posted by Dave Shirley on: March 25, 2014 12:15 PM | Permalink

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