Diebold hires company to help with energy management

Diebold Inc. has hired Hara Environmental Energy Management to manage the ATM manufacturer's energy consumption.

Hara's software will automate Diebold's data collection and monitor the company's use of natural resources, including water. Hara also will manage the company's waste and carbon output.

Last year, Diebold, which is based in North Canton, Ohio, formalized its sustainability program that included instituting several energy-saving projects. The project reduced Diebold's energy consumption more than 7 percent. The manufacturer operates in nearly 90 countries.

Diebold's contract with Hara, which is based in Redwood City, Calif., will be key in helping Diebold lower its energy–consumption costs and meet global reporting needs, Jim Merrell, director of environmental stewardship, said in a statement.

"At Diebold, we believe environmental stewardship is everyone's cause," Merrell said. "We are working diligently to protect our natural resources and embrace sustainability practices." Hara executives say in the company's promotional literature an energy-management policy can save a company money while boosting its bottom line.

Diebold is the world's third-largest manufacturer of ATM based on annual shipments, according to Retail Banking Research, a London-based strategic-marketing firm.