HARMAN Professional Solutions inaugurated its new manufacturing plant in Pécs, Hungary, to accommodate the growth in production of its Martin brand, which provides devices for the entertainment and architectural lighting industries, as well as certain speaker products.
The company adapted a manufacturing facility of over 107,000 square meters to heat and cool the space using geothermal energy; this was achieved through the use of a water-water heat pump. Additionally, electricity for the entire facility will be sourced from photovoltaic solar panels on-site by 2024.
Efforts to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing in Pécs are guided by HARMAN's bold goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. This includes waste reduction efforts in manufacturing operations, 100% of HARMAN's manufacturing electricity coming from renewable sources, and an overall 15% reduction in electricity consumption in operations.
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At HARMAN, they are committed to responsibly developing innovative solutions that benefit society, customers, partners, and communities. During Earth Month, they reaffirmed their commitment to advancing sustainable business practices, as sustainability is one of their strategic pillars, embedded in HARMAN's DNA and guiding every decision they make.
Over the past six years, the Martin brand has put into production over 20 different types of significant LED lighting products, with more innovations to be announced soon, and it is imperative that we not only create more space to meet demand but do so responsibly and in line with our corporate goals. The completion of this project is further proof to customers that we produce reliable products in technologically advanced facilities and do so with a reduced environmental impact, said Brian Divine, President, HARMAN Professional Solutions.
Imagine the ultimate mobile lighting fixture: one that you can use indoors or outdoors, in noisy or quiet environments, without experiencing changes in weight, size, or lumen output. Highlighting Martin's exclusive all-weather smart technology XIP, opening a world of applications and endless possibilities for any scenario.
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Unlike any other product on the market, XIP technology ensures that Martin MAC Viper XIP, MAC Aura XIP, and future XIP-enabled products can be used for temporary outdoor installations in rain, snow, sand, dust, or ice, with nearly zero impact on product attributes and performance.
Martin's XIP technology makes lighting fixtures uniquely weather-resistant. Instead of completely sealing the fixture, they ventilate it to ensure that rain or dust does not affect its operation. This choice allows maintaining weight, light output, and ease of service similar to indoor fixtures, but with the added advantage of weather resistance. The brand's patented technology uses "water traps" at each opening and an efficient fan system to prevent moisture and dust ingress. This extends the possibilities for use in outdoor festivals and events without worrying about the weather.
We were inspired by garden tools like lawnmowers that could be used outdoors seamlessly, but our primary reference point was cars. A car is highly exposed to the elements yet robust enough to not be affected by weather and dirty use. Why? Because rain and dirt do not enter its interior, and exposed areas are well protected. At the same time, cars successfully manage condensation (fog) without affecting their numerous electronic circuits. All this is possible because they are ventilated and used frequently. But unlike cars, our products are not limited to being on wheels, so we knew we had to be creative to overcome this challenge, explained Niels Rasmussen, Martin Engineer.
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Never before in history has purpose-driven innovation been so crucial to ensuring long-term business success. With this in mind, Michael Mauser, President and CEO of HARMAN Professional Solutions, underscores the latest sustainability report Sound Purpose: Driving Cause with Impact, which highlights stories of social and environmental progress HARMAN has achieved over the past two years.
"The team is building a transformative sustainability platform that drives environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) performance in the business, enabling us to seize opportunities for the next generation and beyond. Our purpose-centric culture is reflected in the progress we have made by formalizing environmental commitments and establishing meaningful partnerships that support the communities where we operate. The Sound Purpose platform is how we operationalize these commitments through work in three key areas: Planet, People, and Purpose", adds Mauser.
Guided by the global ESG platform, ambitious sustainability goals have been set and an action plan undertaken to achieve them. Here are some recent achievements as HARMAN continues its journey towards a healthier and more sustainable future for future generations:
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Renewable energy in operations
To accommodate growth while supporting sustainability goals, HARMAN manufactures reliable products in technologically advanced facilities with reduced environmental impact.
The grand opening of the brand's new manufacturing plant in Pécs, Hungary, recently took place, propelling them toward achieving environmental goals in the next decade with its use of geothermal heating and cooling and solar electricity. They have also purchased renewable energy for their manufacturing plants as they move towards their goal of 100% renewable electricity.
Carbon reduction initiatives
In an exciting development, through their partnership with DSV, HARMAN has achieved a significant environmental milestone by reducing 10 tons of CO2e emissions for their air cargo transportation using biofuels derived from sustainable sources.
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Planet vs. Plastics: sustainable packaging and products
The company is proud of the significant progress they have made in recent years to advance their sustainable packaging initiative. Product and packaging development practices now utilize soy ink printing and avoid the use of virgin plastic whenever possible. Additionally, measures have been implemented to reduce energy consumption, weight, and heat generation during the packaging process.
To drive significant progress, at HARMAN we are implementing systematic measures to measure and monitor our impact in all areas of ESG. Commitment to sustainability and responsibility is one of the seven fundamental strategic pillars in operation. From redesigning products to reduce environmental impact to supporting local communities through strategic partnerships and employee activism, we are driving changes in all aspects of the business. In the past year, we have focused on identifying key areas for improvement and working together with customers and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals and priorities. This includes the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, benefiting both the planet and people, shares Mauser.
The HARMAN team is constantly innovating to make products more sustainable while optimizing the high standard of performance and quality customers expect from the brand.
At HARMAN, sustainability is a constant focus throughout the year, not just during Earth Month. The company is committed to integrating sustainable and responsible practices in all its operations aimed at making a positive impact on the communities where they operate. While they have made significant progress, they recognize that the journey towards sustainability is not yet complete. They invite you to stay tuned for updates throughout the year on their efforts, progress, and additional initiatives on this ongoing journey towards sustainability.
"As a leader of this organization, I am proud of its focus on integrity and innovation since its foundation in the 1950s. Over more than 70 years, we have created brands and products that impact people's daily lives. We take this responsibility seriously and are ready to lead the sustainable transformation in our industries and markets. We know that innovation and adaptation are key to tackling emerging challenges. Our agility and resilience allow us to continue delivering quality connected experiences for customers, today and in the future", concludes Mauser.
