Alcoa Marks 7th Year on Dow Jones Sustainability Index

For demonstrating through its values, goals and work a strong commitment to high environmental principles and sustainable business practices, Alcoa has been selected for the seventh consecutive year for inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. An Alcoa press release says, "It [the index] is an important guide for investors to assess a company's non-financial performance. Selection is based on an analysis of a company's economic, environmental and social performance. Issues evaluated include risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labor practices."

Mitsubishi ad with rendering of its planned regional jet

Source: http://www.japancorp.net/topimg/Low_MHI070611.jpg

Boeing, Mitsubishi Team to Build
Japan's First Passenger Jet

Boeing Company has a neat relationship with Japan's airlines — it builds and sells them almost all of their planes. Now, the company plans to partner with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to design and build a state-of-the-art regional passenger jet. An Industry Week article says. "Mitsubishi Heavy decided in March to go ahead with commercial development of the regional airliner after landing its first order from All Nippon Airways for up to 25 aircraft. The company says the 70-90 seat plane can save about 20 percent of fuel consumption through a new 'geared turbofan' engine designed by Pratt & Whitney as well as a lighter body using innovative material."

Steve Fisher

Source: http://www.cat.com/cda/components/
fullArticle?m=37466&x=7&id=302785

Caterpillar Plans new Singapore facility

U.S. heavy equipment maker Caterpillar plans to improve its support of Asian mining operations by opening a regional remanufacturing facility in Singapore. A CNN Money article reports, "The new site, expected to be fully operational by mid-2010, will become the regional source for remanufactured major components, such as mining-truck engines, transmissions, final drives and torque converters. Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Ill., said the facility will help dealers in Asia meet product support challenges associated with growth in the region tied to mining and large infrastructure projects. 'This new facility increases our global capacity and further demonstrates our commitment to providing remanufactured products to customers around the world,' Steve Fisher, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for remanufacturing, said in a statement."

Linde Announces New Plant for Cartersville, Georgia

To improve customer service and relieve pressures on its supply chain, industrial gas producer Linde has announced plans to build an air separation plant near Cartersville, Georgia. The facility is expected to produce liquid nitrogen and oxygen. Linde's press release says, "The plant, located in the Guyton Industrial Park on Peeple's Valley Road in Cartersville, cryogenically separates air to produce more than 700 tons a day of liquid oxygen and nitrogen. From Cartersville, the gases are trucked to hospitals, food processors, metals and chemicals manufacturers in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The plant employs more than 30 people."

Nestle Waters N.A. bottling plant in Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.

Source: http://www.maconcountytn.com/nestle_waters.htm

Nestle Joins Group
to Promote Bottled Water

The bottled water industry has come under pressure from environmentalists regarding the plastic bottle packaging. To combat the criticism, three large water bottlers have banded together to get the truth out about their product. An article in Beverage Daily says, "Danone Waters, Highland Spring and Nestle Waters said the new Natural Hydration Council, formally launched today, will provide 'authoritative' information and advice for researchers, government, industry and consumers. Concerns over the perceived environmental impacts of transporting and bottling mineral water have over the last year led to increasing attacks from environmental organizations and some politicians around the world. While industry has moved to attack such claims as exaggerated and misplaced, today's move appears to be taking more of a line of action rather than reaction."

Holcim plant near Midlothian, Texas

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=8492686

Holcim Facilities Given
EPA Energy Star Award

The cement manufacturing company Holcim has aggressively sought to reduce its plants' energy consumption over the years. In recognition, three of its facilities have been awarded the EPA's Energy Star designation. On this, Reliable Plant says, "The Energy Star indicates that each plant is in the top 25 percent of cement plants in the nation in terms of energy efficiency. Holcim improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to the plants."

Solar panels on a facility at Merck's Rahway/Linden campus

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/
rea/news/story?id=45155

Merck Invests in Solar Energy at Headquarters Facility

The pharmaceuticals company Merck has implemented a unique partnership that will bring one of the country’s largest solar arrays that tracks the sun to its corporate headquarters in New Jersey. The company's Web site says, "The solar power system will supply up to 7 percent of Merck's electrical energy needs at its headquarters, where approximately 2,800 people work. Construction began this month — and the system will be operational by the end of 2008. The project will be among the largest of its type at any corporate setting in the country."

Corning Recognized for Strong Innovation Process

Old line industrial companies typically invest heavily in research and development to gain advantages in their product markets. Industry Week reports that Corning has a particularly effective innovation process called Magellan. The publication says, "Corning, Inc., received on August 15 the 2008 Outstanding Corporate Innovator Award by the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA). Corning was recognized for the strength of its innovation strategy -- a 'recipe' for success that draws on long-standing materials and process knowledge, deep market understanding and an entrepreneurial, collaborative culture, according to a statement by the company. The company's 'Magellan Process' was highlighted as a best practice by PDMA. The process fosters dialogue with leading companies to help identify and screen market-driven ideas that could develop into next-wave opportunities, like mercury abatement to reduce emission from coal-fired power plants."

Federal Grant Benefits GE Billings Facility

General Electric has a new operations center in Billings, Montana, where it plans to increase employment by as many as 200 people. The state's two U.S. senators dipped into the federal till to support GE's plan by funding a parking lot for the new employees. Montana's News Station reports, "Montana senators Max Baucus and John Tester announced a $750,000 grant to build a parking lot for the new facility in the Transtech Center. The new building is located on the northwest corner of 32nd and Hesper. The 40,000-square-foot building will house 200 new workers GE plans to hire when it opens the center in 2009."