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Media Releases for Kenworth |
Kenworth meeting the environmental challengePic caption: Joe Rizzo, Managing Director of PACCAR Australia, with the Kenworth T270 Hybrid Kenworth Trucks, a division of PACCAR Australia, recently certified to the international environmental management standard, ISO 14001: 2004. Kenworth now joins a select group of truck manufacturers, including several PACCAR plants throughout Europe and North America, to have earned this internationally-recognised standard. PACCAR Australia’s Managing Director, Joe Rizzo, says the new accreditation is founded on a robust environmental management system which Kenworth has developed and refined over a number of years. The system comprises a wide range of environmentally-responsible policies, procedures and controls as well as training programs for the entire staff. In addition, Kenworth continually monitors and conducts regular internal and external audits of all operations. “Kenworth’s environmental management system formalises and greatly enhances a variety of environmental initiatives that we have been committed to for decades. The system enables us to better manage our impact on the environment, and continually reduce our environmental footprint,” he explained. Mr Rizzo said the company has a wide range of programs in place to lessen its environmental impact. This includes ongoing reductions in electricity consumption, water usage and solid waste as well as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions and noise. Kenworth has cut VOC emissions by installing new cab and chassis paint systems which reduce waste paint, and it has an ongoing program to continually decrease solvent usage every year. High noise areas have been assessed by a qualified consultant resulting in the introduction of new low-noise equipment and the relocation of some facilities. Kenworth has implemented a stormwater monitoring system and other initiatives to prevent accidental spills entering stormwater drains. It has also implemented systems for reducing the volume and quality of water used in all areas of production to meet a planned 10 percent reduction in water usage in 2008. Mr Rizzo said Kenworth is proud to have gained ISO 14001 certification. He says it is testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest environmental standards in every facet of production – from initial design to eventual disposal of a vehicle. “Kenworth is continually refining technologies to minimise pollution, noise and fuel consumption while improving servicing and overall operation throughout the life cycle of its trucks,” he explained. “In addition to our ongoing investment in ensuring cleaner and more efficient manufacturing, we are also producing cleaner and more efficient trucks with parts that can be recycled at the end of a truck’s life. We are working with alternative energy technologies to produce trucks that further reduce their environmental impact and still effectively meet the needs of our customer’s. The challenges and investment required are not insignificant but the outcomes to date have been promising. We already offer vehicles made to use alternative fuels such as LNG. A Kenworth medium duty diesel electric hybrid vehicle, the T270 hybrid, is in service in some overseas markets, with plans for more heavy duty applications well advanced. “Our dedication to environmentally-sound practices and processes is integrated into our thinking, all of our operations and now, with ISO 14001 certification, it’s an integral part of our future direction,” he added. Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the world’s toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia. Its trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business. For further information: Neil Willox Media Contact: Neil Willox (neil.willox@paccar.com) |