Plantronics Manufacturing Complex in Suzhou became the first manufacturer in the history of China, that received a prestigious environmental certificate
At the grand-opening ceremony of the company Plantronics, Inc. announced that its new manufacturing and design center in Suzhou in China, received a gold certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for a stable work environment pollution. Today Plantronics in Suzhou is the only one production in the whole China, which has been certified LEED.
The so-called Green U.S. Council of build (United States Green Building Council - USGBC), which has developed the world's first board and the only common standard requirements for clean installations and, therefore, recognized as the lead board certification in the industry, certified the Plantronics Suzhou manufacturing facilities at the Golden status of the partner to strict LEED-rating system. USGBC recognized Plantronics Suzhou best practices for sustainable development areas, preservation of water pollution, energy efficiency, materials selection, and internal quality of the environment.
«It is very important to us that Plantronics Suzhou is a Chinese world class corporation, but not as an American company, leading its operations in China», - said Ken Kannappan, General President of Plantronics. «The best way to achieve this result, on our view, is to guarantee in the local community and its culture of compliance with stringent obligations to the environment».
Plantronics worked on the creation of new production in Suzhou, in partnership with Bechtel. Together, these companies have developed innovative building and construction, aimed at low power consumption and strong anti-pollution. Among the factors contributing to a good environment in Suzhou in the production of Plantronics, are following:
* Increased efficiency of energy use: all buildings have insulate roof, natural lighting energy-intensive roof coating and insulated block walls. The main office building is designed with a slight angle to take full advantage of sunlight, without over-consumption of energy for heating in winter and cooling in summer.
* Reduced water consumption: Plantronics Suzhou uses rain water, purified water out of air conditioners and innovative technology of reverse-osmosis treatment that makes the city's water possible to drink.
* Reduction of air pollution: in Suzhou manufacturing complex promotes alternative means of transport by providing covered ports with battery charging for electric scooters, coordinated bus transfer. In Plantronics thinks that more than 90% of employees will use alternative transportation.
* Internal control of air quality: the smoke extraction system and the natural lighting is used throughout the production of Suzhou, which guarantees the quality of the work equipment.
"Opening of the first LEED-certified production in China is a significant of the global movement to clean" green »buildings», - said S. Richard Fedrizzi, President and Chairman of the American Board of Green Building Council. "Commitment to build green buildings, Plantronics made in China, is a sign of saving resources, creating a friendly environment to the community. We are welcoming their vision and leadership in this important area ".
The speed and efficiency of supply chain investments
Production in Suzhou allows Plantronics to develop and manufacture products for quality equipment, to accelerate the delivery of components from neighbor areas and to improve quality control. The plant in Suzhou also allows Plantronics to optimize the design of the product for local delivery, which accelerates the timing of withdrawal of the product on the market, while reducing development time and cost of production. Together with first-class equipment Plantronics in Mexico (Plamex), production in Suzhou will significantly improve the efficiency of global supply chains and maximize the efficiency of investments through the purchase of local materials.
Plantronics presence in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow. Now the company have offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, Singapore, Taiwan and Melbourne.
The legacy of industrial success
Plantronics company can boast a long history of success. Plantronics opened Plamex factory in Tijuana, Mexico 34 years ago and since then the production has been recognized as worldwide for high quality products and a progressive program of work of employees. Plamex won nine international manufacturing awards over the past two years and for the last month, Mexican President, Vicente Fox Quesada expressed twice his admiration for its technology and excellent quality. Plamex also the only one manufacture in the world, that received U.S. award for the quality (Ibero American Quality Award) and the Asian Award (Asia-Pacific Quality Award) for large manufacturing organization.