ATHENS, Ga., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier Transicold's Athens facility, a leading producer of transport refrigeration equipment for trucks, trailers and rail cars, has been named a 2015 IndustryWeek Best Plant, making it the first transport refrigeration equipment facility ever recognized by the publication. Winners of the 2015 IW Best Plants competition were selected based on rigorous performance metrics as well as dedication to continuous improvement. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

"It is an honor to be named to the prestigious list of IndustryWeek Best Plant award winners. Our world-class Athens facility is staffed by customer-focused, empowered employees who produce reliable, innovative products," said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems. "Each day our Athens employees demonstrate a sharp focus on continuous improvement, efficiency and sustainability to produce a complete range of products for the transport of temperature-sensitive cargo, such as food and pharmaceuticals."

In operation since 1988, the Athens plant serves as Carrier Transicold's home for its Americas' truck, trailer and rail refrigeration business. Equipment assembled in Athens, which is sold around the world, includes Vector™ and X4™ trailer refrigeration units and Supra™ truck refrigeration units, all of which provide protection for temperature-sensitive products such as food and pharmaceuticals. The facility also produces PowerLINE™ generator sets, which are used to power refrigerated shipping containers when hauled over land.

Through its comprehensive review process, IndustryWeek noted Carrier Transicold's commitment to operational excellence and ongoing strategic investments in new manufacturing technologies with a particular focus on ergonomics, safety, sustainability, quality, lean manufacturing and lead-time reduction.

"This recognition is a powerful example of how a dedicated, diverse team can continually transform its plant operations in a positive manner," said Matt Walker, director of operations, Carrier Transicold Athens.

Some of the many accomplishments that factored into the recognition include:

• 7.5 million hours worked without a lost work incident since 2006;
• Certified Star status in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) since 2010;
• Noise reduced in over 90 percent of the working areas to less than 85 decibels;
• Reduced non-recycled waste by 85 percent since 2006;
• Industrial process waste reduced 70 percent, greenhouse gas generation lowered 32 percent and water usage reduced 38 percent since 2006.

"Our team's commitment extends beyond the factory," said Walker. The Athens facility consistently supports the local community through donations to more than 10 nonprofit agencies financially and ongoing employee volunteerism.

"The Athens region has recognized Carrier Transicold as an employer of choice and our contributions to the community were acknowledged by the Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Department with Community Commitment and Manufacturer of the Year awards in 2014," said Walker. "We want to leave work every day feeling like we made a difference for customers and in the community; that is what we strive to accomplish every day."

Also being honored as a 2015 IW Best Plant is United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney North Berwick, Maine facility, a leading provider to the aerospace industry. This is the first year that two United Technologies plants have been named to the list in the same year. IndustryWeek will include a profile of the Athens and North Berwick facilities in its April/May issue and will feature the operations at its 2016 Manufacturing & Technology Conference and Expo being held May 3-5 in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information on Carrier Transicold solutions for truck and trailer refrigeration, visit www.transicold.carrier.com.

About Carrier Transicold
Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 40 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with the most advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.transicold.carrier.com. Follow Carrier Transicold on Twitter: @SmartColdChain.

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SOURCE Carrier Transicold