General Electric Advanced Materials Launches Global Community Day
PITTSFIELD, Mass.--May 1, 20042, 2004--| Volunteerism Initiative Marks New Focus in Management Development and Corporate Philanthropy |
More than 14,000 employees in GE's Advanced Materials division united to improve the lives of thousands of people around the world in its first-ever Global Community Day. This event is the result of a new management focus for GE Advanced Materials that encourages - and supports at a new level - its employees to actively respond to needs in its local communities.
"We're committed to being a positive force in our communities," said John Krenicki, Jr., president and CEO of GE Advanced Materials. "Our approach to corporate citizenship combines the talent and creativity of our people, and the resources of our business to make a significant impact on communities and individuals. Today's Global Community Day puts GE leadership skills to work."
GE Advanced Materials is taking the next step in developing a new breed of business leaders. Global Community Day demonstrates an emerging corporate trend: employees at all levels of a company are encouraged to make a direct, positive impact that benefits both the company and the local community.
Recent research from the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College indicates that larger firms are beginning to formalize roles and responsibilities for corporate citizenship, including community involvement, through organizational changes. To further support its corporate citizenship expansion strategy, GE recently introduced a new course called Leadership Development through Volunteerism at its famed Crotonville-NY executive development center.
During the Global Community Day, GE Advanced Materials employees engaged in local community activities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.S. and other locations around the world. Employees participated in more than 70 projects in 17 for one single purpose - to make a sustainable improvement to their communities.
GE Advanced Materials employees focused on children, education and environmental projects, including:
-- Improving a facility for needy children and their families in Ottawa, Ill.
-- Transforming substandard houses to warmer, safer and drier homes with the "Good Works" organization in Thorndale, Pa.
-- Beginning beautification projects at homes for children in Hebron, Ohio; Geesthact, Germany; and Shanghai, China
-- Installing a bee-garden and child-friendly activities in a local nature center in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands
-- Introducing school children and families to hands-on science programs in Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Pittsfield, Mass.
-- Leading a food and clothing drive at a local shelter and soup kitchen in Tarrytown, N.Y.
-- Performing a concert by GE's Millenium Choir in Campinas, Brazil
-- Partnering with non-governmental organizations in India to provide well checks for hundreds of children in Gurgaon, India
About GE Advanced Materials
GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., GE Advanced Materials is the combined entity of GE's former Plastics, Silicones and Quartz businesses. Its offerings include:
-- silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, caulks, resins and elastomers for a variety of vertical markets such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings and foam control, as well as the consumer "do it yourself" market. http://www.gesilicones.com.
-- engineering thermoplastic resins serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging. http://www.geplastics.com.
-- high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, and water purification industries. GE Advanced Materials is the number one supplier of quartz materials to the semiconductor industry. http://www.gequartz.com.