Subaru of Indiana named first U.S. auto plant to meet ISO 50001 energy standard

Subaru of Indiana is the first U.S. car manufacturing plant to become certified in energy management, meaning it complies with the International Organization for Standardization’s global standards that are meant to increase a company’s energy efficiency. Why is this important? It means that Subaru actually cares about the environment, instead of just talking about it.

Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. in Lafayette was recognized Monday for its heightened commitment to energy conservation that could help the car manufacturing plant save costs and reduce emissions.

SIA is the first U.S. car manufacturing plant to become certified in energy management, which means it complies with the International Organization for Standardization’s global standards — meant to increase a company’s energy efficiency.


“(The certification) is a culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Thomas Easterday, SIA’s executive vice president. “Over the years, Subaru has been well-known to be a leader. Right now, we’re taking an even bigger step.”


The SIA team spent six months monitoring energy consumption data in order to figure out how to improve its current processes to gear up for an audit by DEKRA Certification Inc., a company that provides professional certification in the automotive industry.


The Journal & Courier requested energy consumption data, but it was not released as of Monday night.


DEKRA President Henri Pierre Salle, who presented top executives from Subaru SIA with the ISO 50001 certification at a gathering on Monday, said the purpose of the certification is to provide an energy management framework for companies.


“A process of improvement becomes part of the everyday culture,” Salle said. “That spirit and culture already is here in the Subaru culture.”


Auditors who worked with SIA plant managers to collect the data said SIA’s commitment to saving energy is high compared with other large companies they have visited, Salle said.


Auditors noticed a particular attention to energy conservation in Subaru SIA’s painting and trimming processes, which account for more than 40 percent of the plant’s total energy consumption.


“The auditors noticed a clear commitment to energy consumption that was very robust,” Salle said. “They don’t casually make that kind of comment.”


Auditors will return to SIA at least once a year to make sure the plant is living up to the certification’s standards by testing random processes .


In November, a Bentley plant in England was the first car manufacturer in the United Kingdom to receive the certification. In October, a Lamborghini plant was the first in Italy to attain it.


SIA President and CEO Masaki Okawara said the new certification helps SIA maintain its leadership in the car manufacturing field.


“Environmental leadership is a very important business goal,” Okawara said. “This will help us reach and maintain that goal.”


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