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Ford Motor Company, World Headquarters Division:

In Practice

Partner Profile

At more than 100 years old, Ford Motor Company is one of the largest U.S. based motor vehicle manufacturers.  A publicly traded company based in Michigan, Ford's product line includes cars, trucks and automotive financial services.  Ford employs more than 280,000 people worldwide.  Their business partners include dealers and more than 11,000 suppliers.

Industrial Partner Since 2001

Awards & Recognition

  • Partner of the Year - Energy Management(2006,2007)
  • Sustained Excellence(2008,2009,2010,2011)

Ford Motor Company, World Headquarters Division

Contact Information:
 Ford Motor Company, World Headquarters Division
One American Road
Dearborn, MI 48126-2798
313-322-3000

In Practice

1: Make Commitment

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Executive Leadership Sets the Tone  

When Ford escalated their energy management program, they wanted to be certain that all employees were aware of its importance.  To demonstrate senior management's commitment, Ford's CEO gave an address directed to all employees about how Ford's profitability is tied to sustainability.  In this briefing, he highlighted energy as a key component of Ford's corporate sustainability strategy and specifically spoke about Ford's progress in using renewable energy sources and improving manufacturing process efficiency.  Ford's CEO also stated Ford's commitment to reducing facility energy consumption as a means to reduce CO2 emissions. This senior level commitment has help Ford's energy program to succeed; in 2005 energy savings reduced CO2 emissions by 225,200 metric tons. 

4: Create Action Plan

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Benchmarking creates common denominators for evaluation of energy use

As a company that has been operating for more than 100 years, Ford has a diversified portfolio of buildings and facilities which vary in age, size and type.  To understand the range of energy performance of its facilities Ford uses a variety of benchmarking methods including those offered by ENERGY STAR.  To evaluate the energy performance of its assembly plants Ford uses ENERGY STAR's Energy Performance Indicator (EPI).  ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager is used to benchmark office buildings including corporate, research and engineering facilities. Using EPI results, Ford created a table to compare all plant scores and discovered that implementation of various energy projects at one of Ford's oldest plants resulted in an efficiency rating typical of new facilities. 

6: Evaluate Progress

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6.1: Measure Results

Plant Updates Bring Unexpected Returns

Ford's numerous manufacturing plants vary widely in age and construction, but the energy team has found ways to overcome inherent challenges in older facilities.  Ford uses ENERGY STAR's Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) to benchmark assembly plants, and Portfolio Manager to benchmark office buildings which have corporate, research and engineering facilities.  Ford created an EPI results table to compare all facilities, and discovered that the implementation of various energy projects at one of Ford's oldest plants resulted in an efficiency rating typical of new facilities.  Ford helps employees to understand benchmarking scores through an "EPI Single Point Lesson" which gives an on-line overview of the tool in one sitting. 

The corporate energy team reviews EPI scores with each plant's energy team to test the acceptance of score and determine how to apply findings.