Cummins Accelera branding (provided by Cummins)

Cummins has announced the launch of a new zero-emissions brand.

Accelera is a new brand for its New Power business unit.

A company media release said the launch of Accelera is a significant step forward in Cummins’ efforts to achieve its Destination Zero strategy, focused on evolving Cummins technologies to reach zero emissions across its product portfolio.

Over the past several years, Cummins has invested more than $1.5 billion in research and technology, capital and acquisitions to build Accelera’s leadership and technological capabilities.
The company said Accelera is now a global leader in zero-emissions technologies, providing battery electric and fuel cell electric solutions across commercial and industrial applications with hundreds of electrolyzers generating hydrogen around the world today.

Cummins President and CEO Jennifer Rumsey said the company has a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Accelera is advancing a range of zero-emissions solutions, including hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, e-axles, traction systems and electrolyzers, to sustainably power a variety of industries from commercial transportation to chemical production. Both a components supplier and integrator, Accelera is decarbonizing applications like buses, trucks, trains, construction equipment, stationary power and carbon intense industrial processes.

Amy Davis, who has led the New Power business unit since 2020, will serve as President of Accelera.

According to Cummins Director of External Communications, the Accelera products will not be manufactured at the Jamestown Engine Plant, saying, “We have other hubs for our new power products which are much different than typical internal combustion engines.”

Library Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jenn Champ said the event is not meant to be a jump-scare kind of tour, “You’re going to come, you’re going to have a tour guide, you’re going to go through the library which will be decorated with different scenes from books, and you’ll meet characters from the books. And there will be actors that give a little monologue and you’ll hear little stories about the library. So it’s a really fun way to bring the season to life, but also using the idea of literacy, books, and the magic of libraries.”

She said some characters could be frightening for younger children, and tours are geared for those ages 8 and older.

Champ said tickets are only $1 and are available for sale now through the circulation desk, “So, we are selling tickets for time slots. Tours are on the hour at 3, 4, and 5. Then we have a break, but then they’re on again at 7, 8, and 9. So, as of right now we’ve sold over 100 tickets almost, so we’re excited about that. So, we do encourage you to buy a ticket ahead of time for a slot that you’d like to come on. There’s limited space on the tour so that’s why we’re asking you to buy a ticket ahead of time.”

Champ said the library will be closed on Saturday, October 22 so that volunteers, including members of Cummins Engine and Jamestown High School, can decorate and set up for the event.

She added that people who attend are encouraged to come in costume.

For more information about the event, contact the library at 716-484-7135, ext. 258, or email reference@prendergastlibrary.org.

Three signs relate to ACNC’s deer exclosures – areas fenced to keep deer out – and show how much impact deer browse has on the the forests. Another sign is about the ponds and the impact/threat that Water Chestnut, an aquatic invasive species, has had on ACNC’s property, and one is about the Hemlock Forest that was partially treated with a preventative spray to protect it from the invasive insect Hemlock Wooly Adelgid.

Additional signs were purchased and installed around the new wildlife habitat to introduce visitors to Audubon’s newest animal ambassador, an American Kestrel now on display named Cricket.

In 2020, Cummins funded Spatterdock Bridge repairs and an Adirondack shelter on the yellow trail. Their funding in 2021 provided materials for the new wildlife habitat structure.

Audubon has six miles of trails. The four marked and named ones range in length from Overlook’s .6 mile to Big Pond’s two miles. Spatterdock and Backwoods Trails are each about one mile.

Visit AudubonCNC.org for more information.

Cummins

In 2020, JHS received their first Cummins grant to obtain sensory equipment that is currently being used by students during physical therapy including stimulation, calming, strengthening, or challenging balance and coordination.

The equipment ordered through the 2020 Cummins Grant included: therapy balls, switch-activated toys, brightly colored liquid floor tiles, Ring Around Bells therapeutic device, a StarGazer Projector, and beanbag chairs.

Cummins has also partnered in past years with JPS to coordinate volunteer opportunities for Cummins employees and to offer up funding for the LEAP summer reading program. For 2022, Cummins donated a total of $30,000 to support JPS.

Sen. Chuck Schumer

WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Schumer says he has reached out to the Chairman and CEO of Cummins to ensure that its workforce at the Jamestown Engine Plant is maintained in light of last week’s news that the company would be cutting as many as 2,000 jobs worldwide.

Schumer said he called CEO Tom Linebarger and urged him to do all in his power to retain the plant’s employees in Jamestown. Following the call, Schumer said he is very confident the plant has a good future and is hopeful that Cummins will do everything possible to help Jamestown withstand the global cost-cutting measures.

“I spoke directly with Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger, and I feel very confident that Cummins remains deeply committed to its workforce in Jamestown and will strive to minimize the impact of its global cost-cutting on Western New York,” said Senator Schumer. “I conveyed to Mr. Linebarger that their Jamestown Engine Plant is productive and profitable, and that Cummins must do their best to shield JEP’s world-class workers from layoffs. And he agreed that the workers there are superb, and a critical part of the Jamestown economy.”

The Jamestown facility itself is about 1 million sq. ft. and produces roughly 400 engines per day for semi-trucks, RV’s, trains, and tractors. In 2015, John Deere announced that the Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant would be the site to produce the QSX15 engine, a heavy-duty tractor engine meant for large-scale farming equipment. This represented a significant investment in both Cummins and the Jamestown Engine Plant, which Schumer says widened the scope of manufacturing in Western New York.

Cummins employs an estimated 54,000 people worldwide.

JAMESTOWN – Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant is hosting its second annual Women in Manufacturing Night on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is geared toward young women and parents of young women who have an interest or may be considering a career in manufacturing. Attendees will hear perspectives of women who currently work in manufacturing.

On the Oct. 20 edition of Community Matters, WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample talked with Justin Hanft (Dream It, Do It WNY), Janet Forbes (AAUW), and Lori Jafarjian (Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant) about the  event.

During the interview, Hanft explained that while women represent nearly half (47%) of the total U.S. labor force, they comprise less than a third (27%) of the manufacturing workforce. While women make 79 cents to the dollar as compared to male wages in all fields; that gap is reduced to 92 cents to the dollar in STEM disciplines. With women representing less than a third of the manufacturing workforce, it is clear that manufacturers are missing out on a critical talent pool, which could aid remarkably in closing both the skills and pay gaps.

The Oct. 27 event will include a tour of the Cummins plant. The goals are to engage future generations of women, educate them about manufacturing, outline opportunities, introduce them to role models in the field, and provide a forum to network and talk with local women. The format encourages girls and young women to pursue their dreams and help develop the self-confidence to seek a variety of career options including advanced manufacturing.

Dream It Do It Western New York is helping to coordinate this event.  As a strong advocate for women working in manufacturing careers, DIDIWNY works to educate young people about career paths in manufacturing, the sciences, technology, engineering, and math.  The mission of DIDIWNY is to increase the skilled workforce pipeline in manufacturing careers.

The Women in Manufacturing panel will be moderated by Cindy Aronson, owner of Cindy Aronson Workplace Training, and will include women who work in manufacturing in human resources, industrial engineering, electrical, and materials. 

This event is free to attend, but advanced registration is appreciated. Please note, that no open toed shoes or heels higher than 1-inch will be allowed, since participants will be touring the plant.  For more information, please contact DIDI Coordinator Justin Hanft at (716) 969-6014.

To register, look for the Women in Manufacturing Night event listing on the Dream It, Do It WNY Facebook Page.

“These are everyday people whose efforts to help their neighbors in need are truly inspirational,” said Chuck Marra, Western New York Chapter Executive Director. “The American Red Cross is proud to recognize these Hometown Heroes, and we look forward to sharing their incredible stories.”

The Hometown Heroes Breakfast is sponsored in part by Cummins Inc., Jamestown Engine Plant, and all proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. The award recipients for this year include:

Nestle Purina PetCare Animal Rescue Award

Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue; Jann Balsono and Marcia Okerlund: Jann Balsono co-founded this “no-kill” shelter in 1999. Today, volunteers like Marcia Okerlund take in between 250-350 stray, orphaned and abandoned dogs and puppies each year, and work to secure every animal that comes through their doors permanent, loving and responsible homes.

Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Company Fire Rescue Award

Furlow Francise and Burl Swanson: As part of the Dewitville Fire Department, Furlo Francise and Burl Swanson produced what one emergency official called “one of the greatest real-life Ice Rescue operations”. When two ice fishermen had fallen through the ice on Chautauqua Lake, Francise and Swanson used a Hover Craft to reach the troubled fishermen and pull them from the icy water to shore.

Farm Fresh Foods Law Enforcement Award

Sheriff Joseph Gerace and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department: In 2015, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Center handled 78,496 E911 calls, 125,602 total calls for service for police agencies and 18,336 total calls for service for fire/EMS departments. All dispatchers are trained in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD). They provide pre-arrival, lifesaving information to callers who can begin first aid while EMS is responding to the scene. They have assisted with CPR, childbirth, Heimlich Maneuver, bleeding control, and much more. Since beginning the use of Narcan to help drug overdose victims last year last year, the Sheriff’s office has reported helping save four lives using the new tool.

Wegmans Adult Good Samaritan Award

Ray Domanski: On April 1st, 2015, a home on Lake Shore Drive East in Dunkirk’s 1st Ward caught on fire. This was no April Fool, as this home had no working smoke detectors. Thankfully, the families who lived there did have Ray Domanski. Mr. Domanski saw the flames, alerted the residents inside, and called 9-1-1. Thanks to his actions, seven people, including a young child, were able to escape the home safely.

Cummins, Inc., Jamestown Engine Humanitarian Blood Donor Award

Robert Fralick: If you attend a blood drive at the Jamestown Red Cross office, chances are you’ll meet a donor who will tell you that Bob Fralick encouraged them to become a Red Cross blood donor. Fralick has been donating blood to the American Red Cross for over 50 years. In that time, he has donated over 300 pints of blood, which at the time of his last donation was said to have given him the distinction of having donating the most amount of blood in the world.

The first ever with Greater Jamestown Riverwalk Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along the north shore of the Riverwalk, just to the west of North Main Street.

The Riverwalk festival is being sponsored by Jamestown Now, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Southern Tier Brewing Company and Cummins and, according to organizer Michael Dykeman, more than 40 vendors are planning to be at the festival. They will provide everything from food, to arts and crafts, to games and activities for the kids, and more. Officials from the Fenton History Center will also be on hand giving tours about the Chadakoin River and its place in local history at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

There will also be live musical performances by students from Infinity Visual & Performing Arts throughout the day, with Smackdab performing from 5 to 7 p.m.

For more information, like Jamestown Now on Facebook.

Pictured: Dave Burley, Plant Engineering Manager; Ryan Dernar, Finance; Randy Myers, Facilities Leader; Vince Horrigan, County Executive; Michael Abbate, Plant Manager; Carol Rasmussen, CCIDA Business Development Manager; and Rich Dixon, CCIDA CFO

JAMESTOWN – Officials with Cummins Engine have announced a major expansion.

According to a release from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, the Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant (JEP) has secured a significant capital investment to install a new block machining line into its current Jamestown facility.

Preparation for the new line began in May, with the start of production expected in 2017. The company estimates a total direct investment in the New York plant of approximately $94 million over 3 years in connection with the project and other related facility upgrades.

Once in place, the new line will produce cylinder blocks currently being manufactured offshore by a supplier in Germany. Officials say the new line will take up 40,000 square feet within the existing Cummins plant.

County development officials say the investment represents a vote of confidence in manufacturing in the Jamestown plant, and allows Cummins to further optimize the efficiency and agility of its supply chain.

The investment also provides for job creation and retention of 41 jobs to operate the line in the Jamestown facility.

The Jamestown Engine Plant manufactures more than 100,000 engines for the heavy-truck market, and currently provides engines for approximately 35 percent of all Class 8 trucks in North America.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

JAMESTOWN – An effort to promote regional manufacturing while also working to identify various growth opportunities for local businesses is taking place today in Jamestown.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) will be in town throughout today to host a Manufacturing Summit – part of which will take place at Jamestown Community College, while the summit will also involve a trip to Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant.

Reed says the goal of the summit is to create an opportunity for the manufacturing industries in the region to gain access to the resources necessary to lead the way in the global manufacturing marketplace.

“With only 5 percent of the world’s consumers living within our borders, it is vital, that our manufactures make their products here, and sell them around the world. The Summit is designed to help our manufacturers do just that by giving businesses access to a one-stop-shop for all their international trade needs,” said Reed.

Reed says the seminar will host numerous informational panel discussions on everything from trade to tax policies, as well as provide opportunities for networking among regional businesses.

In addition to Congressman Reed, others who plan to attend include Congressmen Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania and Chris Collins of New York. Export Import Bank Chairman and President, Fred P. Hochberg will also be in attendance.