COLUMBIA, S.C. — Trane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand, held a celebration marking significant expansion to its Columbia facility, and ongoing efforts in environmental, social, and business sustainability. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, local and statewide public officials, and other esteemed members of the community joined Trane business leaders, employees, and customers to:
- Celebrate the more than $100 million expansion of the facility
- Highlight the facility’s installation of a 1,342 kW solar power system
- Present a grant from the company’s charitable foundation to further educate and train the next generation of skilled workers and STEM enthusiasts
- Recognize employees for their personal commitment to the plant’s expansion
Trane unveiled more than one million square feet of space for advanced manufacturing equipment.
“This is a celebration of our commitment to customers, employees, and our community,” said Donny Simmons, Ingersoll Rand president, Commercial HVAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “As a major employer in the area, we know that investments in our people and plant will give back to the Columbia community for years to come. We thank the state of South Carolina, as well as Richland County, for their partnerships.”
“We’re excited but not surprised that Trane chose to expand in Columbia,” said Governor McMaster. “Trane is a world-class organization that needed a world-class workforce and a collaborative business environment, and they found it in South Carolina. We celebrate their expansion and continued success.”
Trane leaders presented a $5,000 grant through the Ingersoll Rand Foundation to EdVenture Children’s Museum in support of early STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in the area. With this grant, Trane Columbia will sponsor the museum’s summer 2020 Robotics Camp, including financial support for local underprivileged students.
“EdVenture Children’s Museum has worked proudly with Trane and the Ingersoll Rand Foundation since 2015,” said Nikki Hill, executive vice president, EdVenture. “Trane’s ongoing support, including through this latest grant, enables our continued efforts to provide innovative, hands-on learning experiences to local students that inspire a new wave of lifelong learners.”
The Columbia facility expansion, along with workforce initiatives and community donations, are in line with the company’s 2030 Sustainability Commitments, which it announced in May upon accepting the World Environment Center's 35th Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development.
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