Sustainability in Action at CNH Industrial Facility in Fargo
When it comes to sustainability, CNH Industrial believes in leading by example. Its facility in Fargo, North Dakota is translating CNH Industrial’s company-wide sustainability commitments into local, on-the-ground results that are focused on community support, energy and environmental initiatives.
This marked the second year that staff in Fargo have planted a two-acre plot of sweet corn and donated all proceeds from its Corn Picking Fest last month to the Great Plains Food Bank. This meant meals of fresh, healthy produce for North Dakotans in need across the state. Other local beneficiaries of Corporate Social Responsibility in 2021 have included the Gladys Ray Shelter for the homeless, YWCA and Habitat for Humanity.
In 2019, staff planted a half-acre pollinator plot on the CNH Industrial property to support and maintain pollinator populations in the local area. Thanks to its initial success, plans are underway to double the plot’s size in 2021. The company has also planted over 150 trees on its industrial site.
Another priority is to create an energy friendly plant by continually reducing the plant’s energy footprint. Initiatives include switching to energy-efficient LED lighting, installing large ceiling fans to improve heat distribution in winter months, converting all plant entrances to vestibules with rapid-roll doors, and using motion-sensing blowers on the paint line. These initiatives have resulted in a 20% reduction in energy usage per manufacturing hour since 2015.
The plant’s solar energy installation has also expanded. Photovoltaic arrays have generated approximately 50 MWh of clean, free renewable electricity since 2017, resulting in cost savings of approximately $48,000 and carbon dioxide reduction of almost 35 metric tons. Expansion is expected to continue into 2021.
“We are incredibly proud of the differences we’ve been able to make so far thanks to the enthusiasm and passion of our dedicated staff,” says plant manager Aditya Garg. “Sustainability in all aspects of operations is a key value at CNH Industrial, and the team in Fargo is continually working to find new ways to engage our staff, support the community and improve our environment. Under the World Class Manufacturing umbrella, future plans include a soil regeneration project to rebuild organic matter and naturally sequester CO2 in a portion of our property.”
The Company employs 650 people on its 86-acre Fargo site dedicated to Product Development, Engineering and Testing along with an integrated Manufacturing facility. The facility produces 4WD Tractors for its Case IH and New Holland Agriculture brands, as well as Wheel Loaders for CASE Construction Equipment and New Holland Construction.
CNH Industrial has 11 manufacturing plants, 12 research and development centers, and a workforce of 9,000 in North America. The company designs, produces and sells ‘machines for work’ and is present in all major markets worldwide.
