Subaru of Indiana is located in the midwest amid fields riddled with corn, soybeans, and silos.  With 3.4-million square feet of space, it's definitely the one thing that looks like it doesn't belong. But, it sticks out from the crowd for more than just its modern, monolithic design. In its 22-year history it has weathered three recessions, a global economic crisis, devastating U.S. auto bankruptcies and the departure of founding partner Isuzu - all without ever resorting to laying off personal.

Subaru of America has, in fact, rewarded workers with a wage increase on an annual basis...for 22 years. The corporate role model also gives its employees premium health-care coverage, abundant overtime, paid volunteer time, financial counseling and the rare opportunity to earn a degree from Purdue University.

Perhaps more astonishing than what Subaru of Indiana has accomplished since 1989, however, is how they've done it: vigorous waste reduction. And, contrary to what you might think the company's "green" initiatives are not driven by the want or need to create a saleable eco-friendly brand. According to Dean Schroeder, Management Professor, Valparaiso Univerity, "This is not about recycling, or a nice marketing to-do. This is a strict dollars-and-cents, moneymaking-and-savings calculation that also drives better safety and quality."¹

Subaru of Indiana's Money-Saving Green Initiatives At a Glance

-    Five-year target set in 2002 to become the nation's first zero-landfill car factory (that means recycling 98 percent of the plant's waste and incinerating the remaining two percent at a local waste-to-fuel operation to sell power back to the energy grid)
-    Reusing cardboard boxes for shipment to and from Japan
-    Auctioning metal shavings into the booming bull market for copper

Tom Easterday, Executive VP, Subaru of Indiana, explains the immediate benefits of these and other such measures experienced by all employees at the plant, "Everyone quickly saw the green dividend of not wasting anything. You reduce packaging, negotiate a better deal from suppliers, and everyone shares in the savings."²

In 2010, Subaru of Indiana reportedly saved over $5 million through their painstaking reduction, recycling, composting, and incinerating efforts. The facility doesn't believe they've reached the apex of reduction yet, either. In constant pursuit of finding new ways to reduce, reuse and save, Subaru of Indiana workers get bonuses for identifying excessive packaging and processing in the assembly line, which may be then rebated by the suppliers.

Interested in more Subaru news? Stay tuned. Heuberger Motors in Colorado Springs is dedicated to keeping you informed.

Source: ¹http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43269332/ns/business-going_green/