Cummins, BIC Teaming Up
(Image courtesy of Cummins Inc.)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAs Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) continues to boost its emphasis on electrified power, the global manufacturer is partnering with the Battery Innovation Center at the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park. The collaboration involves workforce training as well as testing and validation services for Cummins technology. Over 1,000 Cummins employees are currently working toward completing BIC courses that include advanced energy storage technology topics, chemistry and safety.
BIC Chief Executive Officer Ben Wrightsman says partnering with a big name like Cummins can help spread awareness of the organization’s mission. "I think for us, it’s an opportunity for a company — basically, I wouldn’t say unprovoked, but unsolicited — that chose to go out and said ‘hey, this partnership is absolutely critical and we kind of want to tell those around us and tell the industry that they are a keen part of us moving forward,’ so we’re excited about that," he said. "For the BIC, we never push people for that, but we always love if people do that." He says another recent partnership with Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) involved public acknowledgment from the social media giant. Wrightsman says the BIC is usually discreet about its collaborations, but positive attention from partners helps raise its profile.
Cummins Executive Director of Electrified Power Julie Furber says its continued roll-out of electric storage capabilities would not have been possible without BIC resources and expertise. "Our partnership has not only accelerated the launch of Cummins’ new electrified power portfolio, but is also nurturing Indiana’s electrification ecosystem," she added. "Together, we are developing processes, systems and ideas that may lead to critical technologies of tomorrow."
Other BIC partners include: Tesla, General Motors, Subaru, Volkswagen, PPG, DuPont, MTD Products. The organization, Wrightsman says, has worked with some 170 clients, most of which are outside the state.
Wrightsman says the BIC is currently working toward developing an online training platform, expanding educational partnership with Vincennes University and Purdue University, deepening course offerings, expanding facilities and personnel and a yet-to-be-detailed acquisition that could be on the horizon.
You can connect to more about the BIC and Cummins collaboration by clicking here.
Battery Innovation Center Chief Executive Officer Ben Wrightsman says partnering with a big name like Cummins can help spread awareness of the organization’s mission.