12
BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – May/June 2017
Not anymore. These days, she says, global firms
like Cummins recognize that succeeding in other markets
requires an appreciation for how people in those
markets use their products. It means creating solutions
that don’t simply address engineering challenges but
that also consider the human beings who will confront
those challenges. It means appreciating the cultural
differences that will influence engineering outcomes.
In other words, it means understanding that
success emerges from the place where science, math
and engineering intersect with the humanities.
Rumsey’s role puts her right in the middle of that
place. As leader of Cummins’ global research and
development team, she helps to develop products used
in more than 190 countries. She travels around the
world to visit customers and employees. And she
eagerly immerses herself in the customs, cuisine and
cultures she encounters along the way.
Crucial background
This global reach sits in sharp contrast to Rumsey’s
childhood. She grew up not far from Cummins’ headquarters
in Columbus and while she traveled quite a bit in the
U.S. and later lived in Boston, she left North America only
once, on a trip to Germany during her school years.
Fortunately, what Rumsey lacked in global
exposure she made up for with educational experience.
“I do not describe myself as a stereotypical engineer,”
she states. “I grew up definitely strong in math and
science, but that was complemented by a lot of the arts
and humanities: music, drama, language.”
That background in the humanities, Rumsey notes,
gave her what has proven to be essential in her career:
the ability to think beyond engineering, beyond her
own backyard and beyond obvious answers.
Of course, it helps to work for a firm where that
kind of thinking is engrained in the culture and at the
heart of its creation story. Cummins got its start when a
banker (William Irwin) believed in the vision of a
mechanic and chauffeur (Clessie Cummins) who saw
opportunities for innovation in a new technology (diesel
engines) created by a German inventor (Rudolf Diesel).
The partners found news ways to put this new technology
to work and, before long, the company’s engines were
being used – and produced – all over the world.
While much has been made of the engine
technology Cummins pioneered, Rumsey notes that the
company created what might be an even bigger
competitive advantage through its respect for the
diversity of humanity. “The roots of the company are in
this idea of leveraging diversity, of creating an
Keira Amstutz
AUTHOR:
Keira Amstutz
is president and CEO of
Indiana Humanities. This is
the second of a “Take the
Leap” series, which focuses
on individual Hoosiers who
are making a difference
by merging STEM and the
humanities. Learn more at
www.indianahumanities.org/QuantumLeap
Power of Cummins
CTO Combines STEM and the Humanities
Not so long ago, says Cummins Inc. Chief Technology Officer Jennifer Rumsey, the process
for preparing a product for a global market was pretty simple.
“A decade ago, Cummins would take a product we made for a U.S. market and simply
tweak it and take it to other markets,” Rumsey says.
GUEST COLUMN
Continued on page 39Jennifer Rumsey, shown with Srikanth Padmanabhan (president of the Engine Business segment of Cummins), says the
company is committed to meeting the cultural demands of its markets.