Our newly renovated COB takes a short look back and a long look forward for the modern workplace

The modern workplace is evolving quickly. Across the world, our collective experiences with quarantines, working from home, and video conferencing has changed the way we all work together. As we look to the future, many employees may have a hybrid schedule or even have a designated workspace. How can the post-COVID office best support these new ways of working? For Cummins employees at the company’s global headquarters in Columbus, Indiana, colloquially called “The COB,” the answer is already here.

Originally designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kevin Roche, the COB was erected in 1983 and has historically held up to 1,200 employees. Renovations on the building began in Fall 2017 with areas south of the cafeteria, and the now-complete north-end welcomes employees with a variety of work settings for individual or collaborative work, lots of natural light, and interactive outdoor areas.

“At the start of the project in 2017, we knew we wanted to implement the Cummins Smart Office strategy—flexible workspaces, lots of collaboration space, social spaces, and not many assigned desks. This is exactly what the post-Covid workplace needs to be,” said Josh Duncan, Indiana Campus Manufacturing & Tech Facilities Leader.

The COB was designed during energy crisis in the 1970s, so energy efficiency was one of the main drivers of the design. With few exceptions, the only exterior glass was north facing, and views to the outdoors were limited. The main source of light for much of the building was skylights, which posed a problem on cloudy days. Mirrors were intended to disperse light, but many people found them to be disorientating at times. 

“The labyrinth of cubicles and mirrors made it difficult to find your way around. The mauve and beige palette, while appropriate for the time, was dated. Of the 1200 people assigned to the building, as many as 300 were in the basement. Those are all things that we wanted to address with the renovation,” added Josh.

The American Institute of Architects ranked Columbus sixth in the nation for architectural innovation and design – right behind Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The reason for Columbus’ recognition in this category can be traced directly to Cummins, and specifically J. Irwin Miller’s investment in the city. In 1957, Miller made an offer that the Cummins Foundation would pay all the architect fees for new public buildings in Columbus, attracting world renowned architects such as I.M. Pei, Richard Meier, Robert Venturi, Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Harry Weese, Deborah Berke and Kevin Roche, who designed the COB.

“I live and work in Columbus, and I've always appreciated the architectural history of the city and the COB. Because architecture is intended to reflect current culture, the updates made to the COB support the way we need to work today, with many collaborative work spaces and inspiring, bright areas for everyone,” said Jennifer Rumsey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cummins Inc. “My thanks to all involved with the renovation and our continued efforts to make our workspaces welcoming environments.”

Cummins continues its commitment to Columbus with the newest improvements to its COB. Check them out below!

Natural Light and Views

What is called The Town Square is an open, common social area with great views to the Cerealine building and new, interactive landscape. There are many windows, lounge seating, and social areas for employees to enjoy. An original sculpture is suspended from the ceiling, representing an engine’s camshaft. 

Throughout the building, natural light has been maximized through the addition of many energy efficient, exterior window walls all around the park area, greatly increasing the views to the exterior and natural light in the space. 

COB Natural Lighting

Landscape

“The former landscape was of a distinct era in American commercial culture; monumental, symbolic, and intensive in maintenance. The new landscape is both socially and environmentally sustainable, but demonstrably an expression of Cummins’ interest in expanding the creativity of its people so that they can choose where they will be most thoughtful and productive,” said David A. Rubin, founding principal of DAVID RUBIN Land Collective, who designed the updated outdoor areas of the COB. 

One of those outdoor areas is a circular work area with benches and chairs, called The Launchpad, as well as two new entrances to the park from the building.  

outdoor area COB

The new landscape is now only about 20% lawn, with the rest a combination of perimeter plantings and a meadow mix. This sustainable approach to landscape design needs significantly less irrigation or regular mowing, and provides a natural habitat for butterflies and birds. 

Workspace transformation 

Before the renovation, the building had capacity for about 1200 people with 300 people assigned to the basement. The new COB still has capacity for 1200 people, but workstations are no longer in the basement. The basement is now used as our largest conference center, with many large meeting rooms. These were in short supply prior to the renovation.

Open, visible stairs were added to connect all three levels of the building in one area. Energy efficient LED lights keep everything well-lit and vibrant.

COB North end workspace

The renovation added a convenient bridge to the second story of the historic Cerealine building, which was once a grain mill that produced a breakfast cereal featured on the menu of the Titanic. The Cerealine building now has a deck for outdoor dining with great views of the pond and fountains. 

Artwork

Artwork has been an integral element of the COB since its inception, and this has been re-invigorated with the renovation. Due to the Miller’s patronage of mid-century art, the building already had a world class art collection with many artists now considered masters of the time, such as Wassilly Kandinsky, Josef Albers, and Richard Anuszkiewicz. The design team continued this tradition by including new art selections, by artists such as Paul Villinski, an American best known for his large-scale installations of individual butterflies made from aluminum cans found on the streets on New York City.

COB North End

The COB lobby has also been completely reimagined. 

“Before, the lobby was also a museum—for an engine company, but Cummins does so much more than that now, between all of our components and new power products,” said Josh. “We undertook a big project with the designer to create a space that would be a ‘short look back and a long look forward.’”

The result is a new space that still celebrate our history, but also tells the story of Cummins’ commitment to the Stakeholder Model: employees, customers, and communities are all represented in the new space.

Hanging up on the wall is a Cummins powered RAM D250 pickup, one of the first to be powered with a Cummins engine.  

Part of the space is intended to be flexible and dynamic. The flexible space currently features an exhibit about Cummins history with racing. 

Catherine Morgenstern - Cummins Inc.

Catherine Morgenstern

Catherine Morgenstern is a Brand Journalist for Cummins, covering topics such as alternative propulsion, digitalization, manufacturing innovation, autonomy, sustainability, and workplace trends. She has more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, holding leadership positions most recently within the Industrial Capital Goods sector.

Catherine began her career as a marketing writer for a biotechnology company, where she learned to take complicated and highly technical information and make it accessible to everyone. She believes the concept of “storytelling” is more than a trendy buzzword and loves to find ways for her readers to make personal connections to her subjects. Catherine has a passion for technology and innovation and how its intersection can make an impact in all our lives.

Catherine recently moved back to her hometown in the Hudson Valley, New York after a several decades in Los Angeles and Chicago. She is a graduate of UCLA and enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband and three children.

Supporting Indigenous communities

Cummins announces commitment to Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program

Cummins announces commitment to Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program

Cummins Inc. delivers superior solutions for its customers to power their communities and the world. It does that with the company’s steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – winning with the power of difference. 

In honor of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and as part of Cummins’ objective to create positive and meaningful relations with Indigenous businesses and communities in the region, Cummins is proud to announce it is now at the “Committed” level of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program.

Shashiraj Shanbhag, Vice President, Product & Service Management – Canada, and leader of the Canada Indigenous Relations initiative at Cummins: “We have been doing a great deal of work specific to Indigenous communities in Canada for several years. Since recently joining the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations Program at the Committed Level, the program will provide Cummins with external validation to all the work our employees have been doing and additional opportunities to do even more. The PAIR certification is an excellent opportunity for us to measure and strengthen our work in deepening relations with Indigenous communities throughout Canada.”


The work of PAIR


Established by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, the PAIR Program is a rigorous, independent third-party certification program for corporate performance in Indigenous relations. The process evaluates measurable outcomes and initiatives in four performance areas: Leadership Actions, Employment, Business Development and Community Relations.

Since its inception in 2001, PAIR has maintained its position as the foremost corporate social responsibility program, with a distinct focus on Indigenous relations. PAIR's certification program instills a strong sense of confidence in communities due to its foundation on independent third-party validation of company reports, and the ultimate company rating is decided by a panel of Indigenous business professionals. As a PAIR committed company, Cummins will undergo the process of external verification and work collectively with the CCIB and Indigenous stakeholders toward the long-term goal of achieving Gold Certification.


The work of Cummins Canada


Cummins’ commitment to PAIR is another step on the company’s journey to building a diverse global culture, which includes expanding its relations with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and around the world. As part of this journey, Cummins and its employees located in Canada have taken the following steps:

  • Established an Indigenous Relations team with about 15 active volunteers across Canada
  • 1400+ employees in Canada have completed Indigenous Awareness Training
  • Supported initiatives for Indigenous communities in areas of Education and Equity with more than USD 100,000 of funding from Cummins Grant

As a global organization amongst a diverse and growing group of companies from across Canada that share a commitment to the Indigenous community, Cummins Canada continues to develop relationships with Indigenous peoples across the country and seeks ongoing ways to support the communities in which it lives and works. In its commitment to fostering positive change, Cummins also looks inward, engaging its own employees in initiatives that promote understanding, respect and collaboration with Indigenous peoples. 

To learn more about Cummins’ ongoing commitment to not only Indigenous communities but to the many communities employees live and serve throughout the world, please visit cummins.com
 

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

Happy 20th anniversary to Cummins Czech Republic

Cummins Czech Republic - 20th Anniversary

Cummins Czech Republic is celebrating the 20th anniversary of being a wholly-owned distributor of Cummins Inc.

Before April 2004, Cummins customers in the Czech Republic relied on an independent distributor primarily concerned with the power generation market plus a number of independent repair shops.

Creating a Cummins-owned distributor was seen as key to establishing a strong and reassuring presence in a developing market, which over the past two decades has become a major manufacturing base for several globally recognised original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The bulk of the customers served by Cummins Czech Republic, whose remit incorporates neighbouring Slovakia, operate in the agriculture, power generation, mining and construction market segments.

There are also key automotive accounts as well as direct support for national institutions and infrastructure projects.

Cummins Czech Republic was launched one month ahead of the country being welcomed into the European Union as an official member in April 2004.

Accession to the EU was seen as a turning point for the Czech Republic as it opened up the country to new opportunities for investment and growth.

Highly competitive labour costs and a skilled workforce made it an attractive proposition as a manufacturing hub.

“We started here at our headquarters in Prague with just three employees and one technician,” said Lukas Skoda, Cummins Czech Republic Country Leader.

“Today, we have 19 employees, six technicians and four independent authorised dealers covering our territory. We also support the dealer networks of some of our OEM customers.”

Lukas said everyone within the business was proud to reach the 20-year milestone.

“Over the past two decades, we have seen engine technology develop considerably, and we have responded to our customers’ demands for ever greater levels of technical and strategic support,” he said.

Back in April 2004, Europe was at Euro III/IV emissions certification for automotive engines and Stage II for mining and industrial engines to be certified. Now, the standard is Euro VI for diesel, natural gas and hybrid, working toward Euro VII, and mining and industrial engines are at Stage V.

Meanwhile, Cummins is making technical advancements in new power solutions, including powertrains, batteries and fuel cells, which will help enrich future partnerships with customers in the Czech Republic and across Europe.

In its 20 years of operation, Cummins Czech Republic has established itself as a force for good in the community. More than 90% of Cummins Czech Republic employees participate in Cummins Every Employee Every Community (EEEC) volunteer programme annually.

Since 2016, employees have volunteered more than 900 EEEC hours to help local community partners that are supporting environmental education, restoration and waste reduction as well as projects focused on reducing isolation for the elderly.

The success of Cummins in the Czech Republic and Slovakia over the past 20 years owes much to the commitment of a loyal and hardworking team that has pulled together to create successful partnerships with customers in a variety of business segments.

“Becoming an integrated part of Cummins was a huge step for us in the Czech Republic and showed a level of confidence in the country that I believe we have justified over 20 years,” said Lukas Skoda.

“Now, with so many new technologies available to us, so many strong relationships and such a strong vision of where we want to be as a business, we are ready and excited about the next chapter.”

Tags
Europe
Redirecting to
cummins.com

The information you are looking for is on
cummins.com

We are launching that site for you now.

Thank you.