Volkswagen India Private Limited was declared the winner of the Golden Peacock Environment Management Award 2013 (GPEMA) at the 15th World Congress on Environment Management in New Delhi. Under the chairmanship of Justice P.N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India and Member of the UN Human Rights Commission, Volkswagen India’s Pune Factory was awarded the Environment Management Trophy for its sustainable and environment friendly production processes.
In the presence of esteemed business leaders, jurists, academicians, environmentalists, economists, legislators and policy makers, Volkswagen India Private Limited was presented with the GPEMA. On behalf of the company, Mr. Wolfgang Holman, Head of Planning and Manufacturing Engineering, Volkswagen India Private Limited, received the award from Hon’ble Dr. Veerappa Moily, Union Cabinet Minister for Petroleum Gas.
Volkswagen Pune Plant in Chakan has undertaken various eco-friendly measures to ensure that the manufacturing processes adopted by the company have minimum impact on the environment. Since 2012, the company has also adopted ‘Think Blue. Factory’, a global campaign of Volkswagen plants that aims to reduce the impact of production by 25% on the environment by 2018. In the first year, Volkswagen Pune Plant has achieved a reduction of 6.4% in specific CO2 emissions and 5.5% in specific energy consumption.
“We are very proud to have received the Golden Peacock Award in our very first participation. This is a reward for our efforts and endeavours in environment-friendly and sustainable production processes. And we will not stop here,” said Mr. Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited. He added, “Globally, Volkswagen is not only working towards economic leadership but also towards achieving environmental leadership. The Golden Peacock Award highlights Volkswagen Pune factory’s contribution towards this goal.”
Golden Peacock Award
Golden Peacock Awards were instituted in 1991 by the Institute of Directors, and is now regarded as the Holy Grail of Corporate Excellence Worldwide. The applications for Golden Peacock Award are assessed at three levels by independent assessors and finally by a grand Jury. The Global Awards are finalized by a Jury which includes Dr. Ola Ullsten, former Prime Minister of Sweden (Head of Jury), Lt. Gen Surinder Nath, PVSM, AVSM (Retd.) Former Vice Chief of Indian Army former Chairman, Union Public Service Commission, Justice P.N. Bhagwati, Former Chief Justice of India and Dr. A.N. Saksena, Former Financial Advisor to Ministry of Petroleum Natural Gas.
The Golden Peacock Award follows meticulously defined and transparent selection criteria and the winner of this award is determined by an elaborate and independent assessment process. In 2013, 377 applications were received for the Golden Peacock Environment Management Award, Golden Peacock Occupational Health and Safety Award and Golden Peacock Eco Innovation Award. Out of these, 193 were shortlisted from various sectors for final selection.
About Volkswagen Group India
With its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra, the Volkswagen Group is represented by five brands in India: Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, ŠKODA, and Volkswagen. The Volkswagen Group has been present in India for the last 12 years and began its India journey with the entry of the ŠKODA brand in 2001, Audi brand and Volkswagen brand in 2007, Porsche brand and Lamborghini brand in 2012. Each brand has its own character and operates as an independent entity in the market. Volkswagen Group India has over 25 models in India and 262 dealerships and is operating through two plants – Pune and Aurangabad. The Pune plant has a manufacturing capacity of 1,30,000 cars per year and is currently manufacturing Volkswagen Polo and Vento and ŠKODA Fabia and Rapid. The Aurangabad plant caters to various premium and luxury models of Audi, ŠKODA and Volkswagen sold in India and has an annual capacity of approximately 89,000. Volkswagen Group India is a part of Volkswagen AG, which is globally represented by 12 brands – Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Scania, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge), MAN and Volkswagen Passenger Cars.