Green Buildings

Ford is a leader in green building, committed to the sustainable design of our facilities and landscapes using the basic principles of resource effectiveness, life-cycle assessment, health, safety and environmental performance. Ford is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and a supporter of its green building rating system, known as LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The LEED system includes a series of standards used for certifying buildings as "silver," "gold," or "platinum." It is recognized as the industry standard for green building. Ford employees who are involved in the design, operation and maintenance of commercial and manufacturing facilities have obtained LEED-Accredited Professional certification, which demonstrates their proficiency in the application of the LEED rating systems. Having this expertise in-house will continue to strengthen our knowledge and the speed at which we apply environmentally sustainable technologies and processes at our facilities.

We have also developed partnerships with our building-related service providers to help educate them and exchange information on the concepts of sustainable design. For example, we held had training sessions on site selection, water efficiency, energy-use reductions, sustainable materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Energy Star Building Awards

Six of Ford's commercial facilities were awarded with an Energy Star Building Label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2008. The awards recognize that the buildings are in the top 25th percentile for energy efficiency compared to a national database of similar buildings. As part of this award, each facility received a brass Energy Star plaque to display the achievement in their building lobby and communicate energy awareness to tenants and visitors.

Green Housekeeping Program

Ford promotes the use of environmentally friendly products in the operation and maintenance of its facilities. One example of this is the continued expansion of our "green housekeeping" program. Through this program, we are working with our Tier 1 suppliers and contractors to promote the use of environmentally friendly cleaning practices and water-based products that help to reduce the impact of facility operations on the environment. Our cleaning service providers use highly concentrated water-based chemicals with more efficient packaging, which significantly reduces product waste and the amount of fuel required to ship products. These green housekeeping practices are now in use throughout our North American manufacturing locations and commercial office buildings.

Ford Rouge Center

Ford's largest green building initiative is the redevelopment of the 600-acre Ford Rouge Center in Dearborn, Michigan, into a state-of-the-art lean, flexible and sustainable manufacturing center. The focal point of the center, the Dearborn Truck Plant, boasts a 10.4-acre living roof, part of an extensive stormwater management system that includes bio-swales and porous pavement to slow and cleanse the water. The Dearborn Truck Plant also features abundant skylights to maximize daylight in the facility. The Rouge Center features 100 acres of sustainable landscaping to help restore soils and support wildlife habitat.

Rouge Visitor Center (LEED-Gold)

The redeveloped Ford Rouge Center includes the LEED-Gold certified Rouge Visitor Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility featuring two multi-screen theaters and an observation deck. The facility uses rainwater for plumbing and irrigation, solar panels to produce energy and "green screens" of shading vines cover some parts of the building to reduce energy use.

Fairlane Green (LEED-Gold)

Ford has developed a 1-million-square-foot green retail center on its 243-acre industrial waste landfill in Allen Park, Michigan, earning the national Phoenix Award for excellence in brownfield development. In addition, Fairlane Green Phase I received the nation's first LEED-Gold certification for a core and shell retail development for its use of retention ponds for irrigation, sustainable landscaping and white roofs, and for the preservation of natural areas. The buildings feature high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, added insulation and weather sealing, and efficient windows and doors.

Product Review Center (LEED-Silver)

Ford's Product Review Center in Dearborn showcases Ford's latest products and green building principles. The LEED-Silver-certified building incorporates an innovative system to recycle water for irrigation and cooling, large windows to maximize daylight and extensive use of local and recycled materials.