In 2025, Benchmark’s Environmental Challenge engaged 9,000+ employees and delivered measurable reductions in electricity (4%) and water (5%), proving that site-led ideas can create scalable sustainability impact.
At Benchmark, sustainability is powered by people. In 2025, our teams across the globe turned employee engagement, innovation, and accountability into measurable environmental progress through our fourth annual Benchmark Environmental Challenge.
Together, participating sites delivered meaningful reductions in energy and water use, exceeded greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction commitments, and reinforced sustainability as a shared responsibility across our global manufacturing operations.
What Is the Benchmark Environmental Challenge?
The Benchmark Environmental Challenge is an annual, global competition among all our manufacturing sites designed to reduce energy consumption, waste, and water use while strengthening sustainable resource management. The program empowers employees at every level of our global manufacturing operations to identify and implement practical, data driven solutions that reduce environmental impact and support long term operational efficiency.
The Challenge aligns closely with Benchmark’s purpose statement:
“We innovate for a healthier, safer, and better-connected world to create a brighter future.”
Raising the Bar on Climate Action
For 2025, the Benchmark Environmental Challenge established an ambitious goal: a 5% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions at the site level.
More than half of Benchmark’s manufacturing sites met or exceeded their year-over-year emissions reduction targets. Sites achieving or surpassing their 2025 GHG reduction goals included:
Almelo, Austin, Concord, Guadalajara, Huntsville, Penang, Phoenix, Santa Ana, and Tijuana
Thanks to the dedication and creativity of our teams, Benchmark surpassed our commitment to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 15% from a 2021 base year by year end 2025.
Why the Benchmark Environmental Challenge Matters
The Benchmark Environmental Challenge delivers value across Benchmark’s business, workforce, and communities by:
- Reducing utility usage through lower energy, water, and waste consumption
- Advancing sustainability engagement across our global workforce
- Recognizing employee and site leadership in environmental performance
- Measuring success using clear, data driven indicators
- Electricity usage reduced by 4%
- Water usage reduced by 5%
- On‑site solar installations to offset electricity demand
- HVAC upgrades, including soft-starters and vacuum pump improvements
- Power factor optimization using capacitor banks
- Equipment consolidation to reduce compressor use
- Energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting upgrades and powering down equipment between shifts
- Tijuana - First Place
- Korat - Second Place
- Minnesota - Third Place
2025 Results at a Glance
The 2025 Benchmark Environmental Challenge saw record participation, engaging more than 9,000 employees worldwide. From May through December, sites tracked measurable improvements that were reviewed by Benchmark’s ESG/Sustainability Council and ESG/Sustainability Steering Committee.
Key outcomes from participating sites included:
These results reflect the cumulative impacts of numerous site level projects and operational improvements implemented across Benchmark’s global manufacturing footprint.
Innovation in Action
Teams employed a wide range of creative and practical solutions to achieve these reductions, including:
These initiatives demonstrate how locally driven ideas can generate scalable, enterprise level benefits.
Recognizing Excellence: 2025 Challenge Winners
While all participating sites made meaningful progress, three sites stood out for their innovation, environmental impact, and cost savings. The 2025 Benchmark Environmental Challenge winners were recognized at Benchmark’s Ignite Awards celebration in March 2026:
Winners were selected based on a combination of environmental impact, innovation, and demonstrated cost savings—not solely on GHG performance.
These teams exemplify what can be achieved through collaboration, creativity, and disciplined execution.
Looking Ahead
The success of the 2025 Benchmark Environmental Challenge will help shape future initiatives, with high-impact solutions being shared and scaled across Benchmark’s manufacturing operations. Most importantly, it continues to strengthen a culture where sustainability is embedded into daily operations and continuous improvement.
With strong participation, measurable results, and a growing pipeline of employee-led ideas, Benchmark is building momentum toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
Thank you to all Benchmark employees for your outstanding participation and leadership—and congratulations to the 2025 Benchmark Environmental Challenge winners for setting the pace through innovation and measurable impact.
Learn more about how we are advancing our environmental goals by reading our latest Sustainability Report.
