This past year, Pioneer Hi-Bred's facilities development department took one
of the industry's highest honors - the Golden Circles Award.
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Houston, bestows
the award upon organizations whose facility management practices contribute
to creating and managing productive work environments and support the objectives
of the company's business plan.
Pioneer Hi-Bred operates a total of 2.3 million square feet of facility space
in 140 locations that house 4,300 people worldwide. It caught IFMA's attention
by using partnering concepts with outside consultants and vendors to meet its
primary facilities-related business goal: ensuring sites, buildings, furnishings,
and equipment are properly planned, developed, and installed to maximize company
assets while providing an inviting and effective work environment.
Members of the company's facilities development team meet regularly with the
company's Corporate Management Committee and the Research Management Team to
discuss strategic plans involving office buildings, laboratories, conference
centers, research centers, and sales offices.
Pioneer Hi-Bred officials are so proud of the company's facilities that they
use them as a recruitment tool, further highlighting the facilities department's
success in providing its internal clients with attractive spaces designed to
support their work.
The biggest accomplishment to-date? When a fire destroyed 45,000 square feet
of research greenhouse space, Pioneer was able to rebuild greenhouses within
60 percent of the time of a normal construction schedule. What's more, the new
greenhouses have two patent applications pending, thanks to their state-of-the
art construction and function.
