An international standards company is recognizing a Lafayette manufacturer for its efficiency. DEKRA SE awarded its ISO 50001 certification to Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
The rating means SIA implemented and met standards to reach energy efficiency, which reduced costs and improved the environment.
DEKRA President Pierre Salle says while it might not translate directly to the quality of the cars built, it is significant.
"I think from the standpoint of attracting employees. If you're a consumer of a car and you think a company is not living up to the good corporate citizenship that it should be, you might be less inclined to buy from them. You might be more inclined to buy from a company like this one that has a determined effort to save energy."
SIA is the first passenger car company in the United States to receive that status.
Executive Vice President Tom Easterday says it represents energy savings and cost reduction.
"Actually, it helps out with the environment, because less carbon dioxide goes into the environment when you use less energy. Also, it's another way that our team has worked closely together to achieve something no one else in the auto industry has achieved to this point."
DEKRA will make a site visit once a year and a comprehensive inspection every three years to reauthorize the certification.
The company also awarded its ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management certifications to SIA.