SUBARU DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISE TO COMMUNITY AND PLANET.
When it became time for Subaru to unify their 500-strong workforce into a single location, they chose to stay true to their roots and remain in New Jersey. Moving just a few kilometers from Cherry Hill to Camden, New Jersey not only cements their commitment to the local community they've supported for more than 45 years it also keeps them aligned with their Love Promise, the foundation of their brand. Thomas J. Doll (Tom), President & Chief Executive Officer, explains, “It’s a promise to do the right thing and a promise to support the communities in which we live and work.”
Keith Metzger, Director Corporate Real Estate & Administration at Subaru of America adds, “First we start out with a car people can love, then we move into a brand that people can love. And now we’re pushing that out to building a space that our own people can love.” Subaru’s new space is open and inclusive. Hierarchy is removed, light is shared and there is plenty of room for conversation, collaboration and connection. Keith expands, “Part of what we really wanted to do here is de-emphasize the workstation as the only place where work can get done. Everybody has their favorite perch point around the building to get things done.” Subaru has also built a Love Garden, where employees grow produce for donation to local food banks. Finally, Subaru of America headquarters, like its manufacturing plants, is a zero-landfill site. In partnership with TerraCycle, the world’s leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams, Subaru collects all waste then upcycles it into quality products, like park benches, picnic tables and playground materials, which it then donates to Subaru community partners. The success of this new space for employees is obvious and a point of pride. Says Kristin Archer, Senior A+D Market Manager at Teknion, “You can see it on employee’s faces when they come in. They’re happy to be at work.”
For Subaru, it was of the utmost of importance to partner with a company who shares the same values. Tom expands, “The great thing about partnering with a company who shares the same values is that we don’t have to explain who we are.” Keith continues, “Our employees voted on the manufacturer they wanted to partner with and I have to tell you it wasn’t close in terms of selecting Teknion. We like it that Teknion is not a products and features furniture manufacturer. It’s a brand that aligns well with Subaru’s love promise. Our cares are similar.” Tom rounds out this sentiment by explaining the collaboration between Teknion and Subaru. “We care about our customers, we care about our community and we care about the planet. We call Teknion a partner because partners are in it for the same thing. That’s how we can help make the world a better place. That’s how we share the love.”