Cummins Invests in Jamestown Plant for Fuel-Agnostic Engine
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LAKEWOOD, N.Y. — Engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. is readying a $452 million investment in its 1 million-square-foot Jamestown Engine Plant to produce a fuel-agnostic internal combustion engine platform that the company says will offer a range of lower-carbon fuel types, including natural gas.
“Our fuel-agnostic platform builds on decades of experience in designing and manufacturing industry-leading products here in Jamestown,” said Srikanth Padmanabhan, president of Cummins’ engine business, during a May 22 media event at the plant. “It is essential to our commitment to help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The plan is part of the company’s Destination Zero strategy to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Cummins marked the milestone of the 2.5 millionth engine produced at the factory as a segue to the production launch of the natural gas-powered X15N, the first of three variants from the 15-liter heavy-duty fuel-agnostic engine range. Hydrogen and advanced diesel versions will also be produced.
Padmanabhan by John Sommers II for Transport Topics.
Padmanabhan noted that UPS, Knight-Swift Transportation and Ryder are among the fleets that will begin testing the natural gas engine, which is specifically designed for heavy-duty applications and will offer up to 500 horsepower.
UPS Inc. ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings ranks No. 7. Ryder Supply Chain Solutions ranks No. 10 on the TT100 list of the largest logistics companies.
The Jamestown plant manufacturers the X12 diesel and ISX12N natural gas engines. Padmanabhan noted that the fuel-agnostic platform will be a key step for the future of heavy-duty transportation fleets and a road to zero emissions.
“The hope is that our 3 millionth engine is one that is hydrogen-fueled,” he said during the press event.
Engines in production at Cummins' Jamestown plant. (Cummins Inc.)
The plant also manufactures components such as engine blocks, heads, camshafts, rocker levers and flywheels.
Kenworth will be the OEM recipient of the 2.5 millionth milestone engine and will install it in a Legacy W900 truck. Kenworth is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
The Jamestown facility employs 1,500 and serves 1,949 active customers, 90% of them located in North America. It is also the largest private employer in New York’s Chautauqua County.
“Our plant wouldn’t be successful without the dedicated employees who serve our company and community each day,” said plant manager Anna Dibble. “We are proud to have such a strong presence in the community and be able to create a welcoming, caring and all-inclusive environment for our people to be successful.”
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