Expansion Management

The Ultimate Employee Benefit

Feb. 12, 2011

Charging your electric car at work is a pretty amazing benefit. How many of us thought of that when we negotiated our employment contracts?

Employees at 3M headquarters in Maplewood, Minnesota now have this privilege. On Feb. 10 the company installed a ChargePoint Network electric vehicle charging station. It accommodates cars like the Chevrolet VOLT and Nissan LEAF electric car.

The new station, one of two to be installed, is part of a ChargePoint Network by Coulomb Technologies. Owners of electric cars can access the network on-line to identify nearby charging stations. They can even use smart phone applications to find stations.

It's a new world.

3M explains that this offering is a part of a company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility. Last year energy programs saved 8 million KWH of electricity and 585,940 Therms of natural gas.

The company is also very proud of its accomplishment of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 77% since 1990 due to energy reduction efforts, improvements to manufacturing processes, product reformulation and pollution control equipment.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

Email: [email protected]

Follow Adrienne on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Call: 216-931-9235

Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.