Report: Cummins Lives Its Values Even in Challenging Times

Sometimes, the true test of a company comes when times are challenging. Despite weak global markets, Cummins achieved record results in its environmental and community engagement efforts in 2015, according to the company’s new 2015-2016 Sustainability Progress Report.

Cummins, for example, exceeded its 2020 goal for reducing water use intensity five years early and met the company’s 2015 goal for energy / greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, according to the report. Cummins also made significant progress on its goal of working with customers to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by company products in use, nearly reaching the half-way point to its 2020 goal.

In Corporate Responsibility, the company reported that 80 percent of its employees and contractors participated in some kind of community engagement activity in 2015. Cummins’ Environmental Challenge competition removed a record 36,810 metric tons of GHGs.

“If we do our job right, our company can help build stronger communities, extend economic opportunity to more people and help address the environmental challenges facing the world today,” said Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger in his introductory letter to the report.

While the report includes statistics on everything from the makeup of the company’s waste stream to spending with diverse suppliers, it also contains numerous examples of employees living Cummins’ values.

Teams in India and the U.K. are profiled for their work with customers to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) from company products in use. Teams in Brazil, India and Minnesota (U.S.A.) are featured for their winning projects in the company’s Environmental Challenge competition.

And then there’s the employee who helped turn a former Superfund waste site into an outdoor classroom where students today learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).