Environmental Partnership members hear of ‘exciting’ growth plans at Cummins plant 

Members of a growing environmental partnership have been given a tour of one of the North East’s most iconic employers and told about “exciting” growth plans. 

The Darlington Employers’ Environmental Partnership (DEEP) held its latest ‘network and learn’ event at the Cummins engine manufacturing plant, which employs nearly 1,700 people. 

Plant Manager Steve Morley told DEEP members that the Darlington campus is approaching its 60^th anniversary, and a £50 million investment plan is in place to expand the plant. 

“We have some key environmental projects taking place, and we are a sustainable business, but we are subject to strict cost controls and there has to be a positive return,” he said. 

A key project over the past year has seen the Darlington facility transition from high-solvent paint to water-based paint, significantly reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

The Darlington facility shipped 72,325 engines around the world in 2024, plus 41,785 aftertreatment systems. 

Mr Morley added that a project to develop, manufacture and extensively test a hydrogen internal combustion engine had recently been completed at the site. In addition, the campus has invested in a UK-first, fuel-neutral test facility which can test full powertrains powered by diesel, natural gas, hydrogen or battery-electric. 

“These are exciting times and it’s fantastic for the Darlington plant and the local community,” he said. 

Paul Hayes, Cummins’ Global Environmental Director, told members about the company’s environmental sustainability strategy, aimed at reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, with eight key goals timed for 2030. 

Mr Hayes, who started as an environmental engineer at the Darlington plant in 2008, said: “This plant is close to my heart and it is one of the company’s flagship sites for sustainability.” 

DEEP members were joined on the visit by Darlington MP Lola McEvoy, who said: “It’s been brilliant to hear about the innovation being used by a gold-standard employer to stay at the cutting edge of manufacturing and sustainability. 

“Paul Hayes is a global leader for this huge business, and he’s based here in Darlington, running projects to meet net zero targets for Cummins and the Government.” 

Rob Macdiarmid, chair of DEEP, added: “What I liked was the company’s desire to advance sustainability but in an economically beneficial way. 

“It was a privilege for DEEP members to get a fascinating insight into the thinking of a world-leading company based in Darlington.” 

Having been formed at the start of 2024, DEEP has grown rapidly, with more than 40 local businesses and organisations now signed up as members.