WASHINGTON, March 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) applauds BMW Manufacturing for innovative, environmentally-friendly "Gas to Energy" project.
This initiative uses combustion of gas-piped methane from a nearby landfill. BMW's Manufacturing Co.'s Energy Center, located in South Carolina, has broken new ground in clean energy practices as the methane gas powers the Center's turbines, supplying about 50% of the total energy demands for the BMW campus.
"BMW's solid record on sustainable manufacturing practices makes it an industry leader in clean energy," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "The USHCC is proud to partner with corporations like BMW, who incorporate responsible environmental policies into their profitable manufacturing business models. Displaying good environmental stewardship is not only the right thing to do – it's also smart business."
Corporate sustainability is at the core of BMW's identity. Since 2006, the company's South Carolina plant has decreased energy consumption by 50%, landfill waste by 61% and industrial wastewater by 55%. BMW has a solid job creation record, employing over 7,000 American workers. Furthermore, its exports-value from the Port of Charleston exceeded $7 billion in 2011, making it the number one automotive exporter from the United States. Currently, the South Carolina plant is on track to reach its target annual production 350,000 vehicles by the end of 2014.
"BMW is a long-standing partner of the USHCC and founding sponsor of the Chamber's 'Ultimate Latina Luncheon,' which honors Hispanic women entrepreneurs at the forefront of our business community," said USHCC Chairman of the Board Marc Rodriguez. "BMW is also a member of the USHCC Million Dollar Club, which recognizes those corporations that excel in diversifying their supply chain by conducting tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars in business with Hispanic-owned firms"
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico.
About BMW
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI, Husqvarna Motorcycles and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 29 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2011 was euro 7.38 billion on revenues amounting to euro 68.82 billion. At 31 December 2011, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 100,000 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.