Mike O’Meara from Magna International shares energy management successes at CIPEC Task Force Council

Mike O’Meara from Magna International shares energy management successes at CIPEC Task Force Council

"Our goal is to improve efficient use of natural resources, including energy and water," says Michael O'Meara, Manager, Environmental Compliance, Energy Metrics & EHS Platform Systems, at Magna International Inc. He also represents Canada's Transportation and Equipment Manufacturing sector on the CIPEC Task Force Council.

Magna International is a mobility technology company and one of the world's largest automotive suppliers with headquarters in Aurora, ON. The company, a CIPEC Leader in the Transportation Equipment Manufacturing sector, has 50 of its global 348 manufacturing sites in Canada.

O'Meara explains that Magna has a corporate environmental policy, which each site adapts to reduce its environmental footprint in the local community. Not only is there a focus on waste, energy and water management at Magna, but sustainability is also enmeshed in the company's products, for example in the manufacture of ultralight vehicle components that reduce fuel use and emissions.

Magna sites utilize cross-functional energy teams and energy champions whose goals are to identify and implement initiatives that conserve resources. Measures implemented at Magna's Canadian sites include compressed air and lighting upgrades as well as new shutdown procedures, air leak training for employees and efficient workstation lighting. In addition, two of the Ontario plants have co-generation systems, which have resulted in significant annual energy savings.

O'Meara is sharing Magna's experience and success with energy efficiency measures with others on CIPEC's Task Force Council  and with others in the Transportation and Equipment Manufacturing sector. Mr. O'Meara decided to become a Council member because "both the company (Magna) and the Council want to achieve reductions in GHG emissions and energy consumption."

The Council meets three to four times a year—each meeting is rich with best practices and information about training opportunities and incentives. "Being a Task Force Council Member allows me to keep up to date on developments in energy management from new technologies to funding opportunities." O'Meara adds that sharing Magna's experience brings a very practical approach to the Council saying that, "We hope to give practical advice to encourage our industry to achieve their environmental goals."

O'Meara notes that in addition to sharing energy management ideas, the Task Force Council's goal is to encourage new CIPEC Leaders to become involved in the council and to make more connections with other stakeholders such as academics and young industry innovators.