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Shining Bright

Cummins Hosts Tour Featuring Upgrades

AJ Maze of Cummins Engine of Jamestown gave a presentation regarding the new, state-of-the-art lighting upgrades. The lighting project was done in partnership with National Grid. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

Cummins Engine is lighting the way into the future of manufacturing.

On Tuesday, Cummins Jamestown engine plant opened their doors to showcase state-of-the-art lighting upgrades in partnership with National Grid, as well as a $47 million investment in a block line at the plant. The plant has also completed a number of other upgrades, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste.

The upgrades will also reduce the use of water and energy as a part of Cummins’ environmental sustainability plan.

Mike Abbate, Jamestown engine plant manager, said the event was being held to “tell a story.”

“One’s a story about a partnership between Cummins and National Grid,” Abbate said. “We’re also talking about what’s our motivation as a company to have an environmentally sustainable facility.”

Mike Abbate, Cummins Jamestown engine plant manager, discussing recent upgrades during a plant tour event Tuesday. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

The new line was completed in May 2017 and includes machines that are fully enclosed with central mist collection, which creates a safer, dryer work environment. The machines use on-demand hydraulics, coolant and pneumatics to reduce energy usage.

The plant also replaced about 3,000 fluorescent lights with advanced LED lighting along with a WiFi enabled control system. Funding for the lighting improvements was awarded through National Grid’s Energy Efficient Program, which gives commercial and industrial customers incentives to help reduce electric costs.

It is estimated the lighting changes saved about 9 percent of Cummins’ total energy use, along with a savings of $425,000 annually.

The group was taken on a tour of the facility and were able to see a demonstration of the lighting system at work. AJ Maze, Cummins electrician, gave a presentation in an area where new lighting had been installed and showed the visitors the systems capabilities.

Other improvements include an upgraded exterior lighting system, replacing two fixed air compressors; HVAC upgrades in a five-year window; and the installation of five acres of solar panels on the roof of the plant.

Abbate said Cummins is interested in “clean and green” products and facilities because it is important to provide clean, efficient and dependable products customers need. He said it is also important to be “corporate citizens above question.”

“Why does this plant care?” he asked. “Because we’re raising our families here. This water table? I’m running a well. This air? We’re all breathing the same air.”

Cummins also has released plans to introduce a heavy-duty diesel engine in 2022 that will be produced in Jamestown.

For more information on Cummins Engine, upcoming products and more, visit cummins.com. For more information on National Grid and its programs, visit nationalgridus.com.

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