RALEIGH –  In recognition of the company’s superior environmental performance, its commitment to continued reduction of its environmental impact, and demonstrated commitment to exceed compliance, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today recognized ASMO North Carolina Inc. (a manufacturer of electric motors that power automobile windows and blowers) as an Environmental Steward. ASMO is only the second organization to achieve this recognition since the Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) began in 2002.

DENR’s ESI, a voluntary program designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance, establishes incentives to stimulate business, industry, government agencies and nonprofits to develop and implement programs that use pollution prevention and other innovative approaches to meet and exceed their regulatory requirements. This program seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment and a stronger economy and conserving natural resources. 

As an Environmental Steward, ASMO is recognized as an organization that displays a commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is required by law. Stewards are required to set aggressive environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention, a commitment to exceed compliance, and annual improvements to performance. Stewards must also report annually on progress towards the organization’s environmental performance goals, net reductions of releases, emissions and disposal, net reductions in the use of energy and water, and any reportable non-compliance events.

“ASMO was chosen as an Environmental Steward because of its well-executed environmental management system, which demonstrates strong links between the company’s activities and its performance-based goals,” said DENR Secretary William G. Ross Jr. “ASMO actively seeks to go beyond compliance in its environmental activities, as shown by the company operation at well below permit limits, its voluntary participation in state and federal environmental initiatives, and its proactive communication of environmental goals and impacts to its employees and the public.” 

“One of the top 10 manufacturers in Statesville, ASMO has positioned itself as one of North Carolina's most environmentally conscientious companies,” said Secretary Jim Fain of the Department of Commerce. “The company’s aggressive environmental performance goals and its commitment to the community demonstrate the basis of today’s award. ASMO is truly an exemplary corporate citizen. ”

A 10-member advisory workgroup appointed by Ross provides program direction and implementation, and recommended that ASMO be selected as an Environmental Steward. Advisory workgroup membership consists of individuals from manufacturers, industries, industry trade groups, environmental and citizen nongovernmental organizations, and small businesses. (Advisory workgroup members are listed below.)

Reasons cited by the advisory workgroup in its selection of ASMO include:

• The company’s completion of requirements to reduce land disposal of hazardous sludge, reduce metals emissions to water and air, and reduce human exposure to toxic materials in the facility and community as part of EPA’s voluntary Strategic Goals Program;
• The aggressiveness of ASMO’s environmental performance goals, such as reductions in: water use, natural gas/propane use, landfill waste, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and use of specified chemicals.
• Its practice of communicating with plant associates about environmental issues during six annual “General Assembly” meetings; and
• ASMO’s processes for communicating with the local community, including discussing its annual environmental report with the Statesville City Council and its participation in local, state and federal environmental activities.

"ASMO North Carolina is driven by the automotive community to reduce its impact on the environment by going beyond the minimum requirements of our industry," said Kazunobu Ageishi, president of ASMO North America LLC. "We pride ourselves on being an example of what all industries should be doing to reduce the load or impact to our local community and environment."

Thirteen companies were selected to become “Environmental Partners” in 2003 – a level designed for adoption by a broad range of organizations that are interested in beginning the process of developing a systematic approach to improving their environmental performance. They join the 25 companies selected as Partners in 2002. Partners must set environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention and are appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impact of the organization. 

For more detailed information or to apply for the program, please visit the Environmental Stewardship Initiative Web site or contact Beth Graves of the Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance at (919) 715-6506. 

About ASMO North Carolina Inc.

ASMO North Carolina Inc. is a Japan-based producer of motors for the automotive industry located in Statesville. Established in 1998, ASMO employs more than 500 people and supplies electric motors to power automobile windows and climate control devices to Chrysler, Ford and Toyota. Headquartered in Kosai City, Japan, ASMO Corporation has four production facilities in Japan, five production plants in the United States, and production plants in Indonesia and China. ASMO North Carolina received registration to ISO 14001 in January 1998. 

ASMO Corporation holds the top position in the world for production volume of automotive small motors. ASMO North Carolina is a participant in EPA’s National Performance Track program, which recognizes facilities with demonstrated effective environmental management systems and who are going beyond regulatory compliance requirements to further improve environmental performance. ASMO is also an active participant in EPA’s Strategic Goals Program, a voluntary program that encourages companies to go beyond environmental compliance. The program was started in 1998 as a unique cooperative effort between the EPA and the metal finishing industry. SGP member companies are offered incentives, resources and a means for removing regulatory and policy barriers as they work to achieve specific environmental goals.

About the Environmental Stewardship Initiative

The Environmental Stewardship Initiative in DENR is designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance by North Carolina’s regulated community. This voluntary program establishes incentives to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and exceed regulatory requirements. This program seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits.

The “Environmental Steward” level is for those organizations that already display a commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is required by law. Stewards will be required to set aggressive environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention, a commitment to exceed compliance, and annual improvements to performance. These goals should result in reductions of an organization’s environmental impact consistent with sustainability principles. The Steward level is the highest level of recognition and is reserved for those organizations who have demonstrated and pledge a continuing commitment to achieve high environmental performance.

Organizations selected as Stewards undergo a rigorous review by DENR staff, followed by a rigorous review by members of the Advisory Workgroup, which forwards its recommendations to DENR’s Secretary. 

Advisory Workgroup Members

Carolyn Anderson      Progress Energy 
Dr. Richard Andrews UNC-Chapel Hill 
Alan Briggs                 Save Our State 
Jimmy Carter (chair)  DENR 
Preston Howard Jr.    MCIC 
Matt Jordan                 City of Gastonia 
Maj. Gen. David Mize MCB Camp Lejeune 
Jane Preyer                 Environmental Defense 
Larry Spence               Ready Mixed Concrete 
Steve Wall                    Conservation Council of N.C. 

###