In a factory where sound traditionally sets the rhythm —the machines, the alarms, the urgent instructions—, there are stories that are built in a different way: in silence, with the hands, with new ways of communicating.
This is the case at Hitachi Energy's transformer and metalworking plant in Dosquebradas (Risaralda), where inclusion has gone from being a concept to an everyday experience. There, the company is developing key infrastructure for the energy transition, but also creating real opportunities for people with hearing disabilities, in a country where significant employment gaps still exist.
This commitment takes on greater significance in a strategic operation in which the company recently announced an investment of USD 80 million , strengthening both its industrial capabilities and its social impact.
“At Hitachi Energy, we strive to ensure that our presence in each region contributes positively to society. Part of that purpose is to create real opportunities for everyone to develop their potential, both in administrative and operational areas,” said Daniel Bahcivanji, general manager of the transformer factory in Dosquebradas.
On the factory floor, something began to change: signals that were previously only heard are now also seen. Sensory alarms, adapted communication, and teams willing to learn a new language have redefined the way they work.
For Christian Jiménez , a painter in training, this change has been transformative. “Many times people don’t know how to interact with a deaf person, and that makes us feel excluded. Here it’s different: they’ve wanted to learn sign language, to understand our culture. That makes all the difference,” he says. Today, Christian not only has a job, but he also has a life plan. “I want to stay here. I feel I can build a solid foundation for my future,” he adds. His experience reflects how inclusion impacts individual paths and transforms the way teams collaborate and connect.
Designing environments where inclusion is possible
In Colombia, according to DANE (National Administrative Department of Statistics), only 20.6% of working-age people with disabilities have access to employment, compared to 60.3% of those without disabilities. More than just a statistic, this data highlights the urgent need to move from talk to action. With this objective, Hitachi Energy conducted a needs assessment in partnership with the Comfamiliar compensation fund to implement concrete adjustments at its plant. The result: a safer, more accessible, and better-prepared environment for everyone.
The main actions include:
- Installation of visual emergency alarms
- Light signals and adjustments in signage
- Support for interpreters in training processes
- Training in Colombian Sign Language (LSC)
- Awareness programs to break down stereotypes
“The teams have welcomed their new colleagues very well. They, in turn, feel like part of the company. Inclusion is a lived experience, and that reflects a key aspect of our culture: welcoming people without prejudice,” highlighted Patricia Polo, Human Resources Business Partner at Hitachi Energy
Beyond the physical adaptations, one of the organization's greatest lessons has been strengthening its capacity for listening, adaptation, and collaborative work. In this context, inclusion becomes a tool for innovating in its operations. In line with this commitment, the Company plans to hire several more people with hearing disabilities by the end of 2026, consolidating a model that prioritizes equity, talent, and diversity.
Because in this factory, where noise has traditionally been synonymous with productivity, today construction also takes place in silence, and with it, new ways of understanding work, inclusion and the future.