Linebarger: Tech, Innovation Fueling Cummins Growth
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) Chief Executive Officer Tom Linebarger frequently refers to the Columbus-based engine maker as a technology company that happens to be in the manufacturing sector, and last week’s announcement of nearly $70 million in projects suggests that mantra will ring true for decades to come. A new $35 million digital and IT hub in Greenwood is a perfect example. It will bring together information technology, digital and engineering talent to focus on ways to use big data and analytics to drive future growth. "Our customers are now demanding information and services related to the information from the engines that we provide," said Linebarger. "A perfect example is telematics…we can now tell a driver anywhere in the country what’s happening with their engine, when they’ll need service, what kind of predictive maintenance they should be prepared for, a lot of information that saves them money and keeps them on the road and the demand for those services continues to increase."
In an interview on this weekend’s edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Linebarger detailed the expansion plans, which touch three central Indiana cities.
The Greenwood office building will be located along I-65 at County Line Road and initially house about 500 employees, many from other Cummins facilities.
Cummins also announced plans to make its Columbus Engine Plant, “where it all began 100 years ago,” the headquarters of its new Electrified Power business, including manufacturing of battery packs and the full electrified power train.
Linebarger says the $33 million investment will initially mean about 75 new jobs.
The Electrified Power business, which was launched last year, designs and builds fully-electric and hybrid powertrain systems and subsystems. Linebarger says Cummins will this year launch into full production its first electrified power system, designed for a city bus system.
The company also plans to build out additional space at its downtown Indianapolis Distribution Business headquarters and take on more space at the nearby Salesforce Tower.
Cummins currently employs 60,000 globally, including 10,000 in Indiana.