A Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. factory in Texarkana, Ark. has achieved IS0 14001 environmental management system certification.

“Earning this certification demonstrates the commitment by our Texarkana plant to operating an environmentally friendly facility,” says Carl Montalbine, vice president of global quality, operational excellence and information technology. “Especially as all of us are trying to conserve energy, reduce waste and preserve the environment, we felt that attaining this ‘green’ standard was simply the right thing to do.”

First published in 1996 by the International Organization for Standardization -- a body that sets standards in many businesses and technologies -- ISO 14001 specifies requirements for a facility’s environmental management system rather than relying on a few individuals’ knowledge or capabilities, and it calls for continual auditing of a company’s performance levels.

The positive results are numerous, says Montalbine. “Employees better understand the environmental issues that pertain to the plant and how they assist in managing those issues. The facility earns a more positive, ‘green’ image through continuous improvement efforts focused on such areas as energy use, conserving raw materials, and recycling.”

Cooper has IS0 14001 environmental management system certification at plants in Albany, Ga., and Tupelo, Miss. plus ISO 9001:2000 quality standard certification at the Albany, Texarkana and Tupelo factories along with a facility at the company’s in Findlay, Ohio headquarters.

Its Findlay Tall Timbers mold operations location received re-certification in March for both ISO 14001 and ISO 9001:2000. The facility had already earned ISO 14001 certification in 2006 following ISO 9001:2000 accreditation in 2003.

For more information, visit www.coopertire.com.