"From the very beginning, we have been the manufacturing source for efficient washers, so much so, that our competitors have followed suit," says Dinesh Mittal, Director Legal & Company Secretary. That efficiency applies not only to the laundry products the facility produces for consumers throughout India, but also to the efficient use of resources in the manufacturing process.

According to Mittal, though Whirlpool Pondicherry has always followed Whirlpool Corporation's Environmental Management System, they recently started tracking the cost benefits arising out of the system.

The results show that their Washer Division has rigorously conserved water and energy resources, achieving significant savings of $10,400 in water and $63,000 through electrical and diesel conservation over a five-year period. The numbers only reflect the water and electricity usage in the factory and not consumer savings, which are also substantial.

"The savings are not only good for the environment," says Mittal, "but also a selling point for consumers and thus are highlighted in the user manuals."

Additionally, Whirlpool Pondicherry has also achieved its objectives in recycling plastic parts from its washing machines.

But that's not all.

"The community is also our concern," says Mittal. "We encourage school students to participate in Whirlpool's Environment Day functions through essay writing competitions and other activities. Besides that, we also distribute saplings for free to be planted in the villages. Awareness of water conservation, organic farming and global warming is also actively shared with the rural population. The people in India—our customers—do care for the environment and appreciate such efforts."