Federal-Mogul Partners with Toyota to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters
26 August 1999
Federal-Mogul Partners with Toyota to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 26 -- The Federal-Mogul
team in Manitowoc, Wisconsin has partnered with Toyota to help make a
difference in the lives of youth with a $10,000 donation to Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Manitowoc County. The formal "Community Appreciation Day" ceremony
and check presentation is being held today. Several local and state officials
will be on hand for the presentations, as well as senior management from
Federal-Mogul and Toyota.
"It is wonderful to see a global corporation like Toyota give such a
generous gift to a community other than in the location of one of their
plants," said Federal-Mogul Operations Manager Maurice D. Ribble. "This is a
great gift for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the community, as well as an honor
for Federal-Mogul employees that they were selected by such an important
customer as Toyota."
"Toyota started this program as a way to get closer to our suppliers and
to support the people who support us," said Jim Wiseman, vice president of
external affairs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America. "Our philosophy
has always been to do good in the neighborhoods where we have plants, and this
is an extension of that by supporting communities where our suppliers are."
Wiseman said Toyota chose the Federal-Mogul Manitowoc team because of
their strong relationship with the manufacturer, who has been supplying piston
rings to them since July 1996. "We're happy to be able to work with our
suppliers and extend our partnership to make a difference in this community,"
said Wiseman. "We believe that strong communities make strong businesses."
Robert Chiappetta, Toyota government affairs representative, added that the
Toyota/Federal-Mogul donation is a win-win situation. "Even though Toyota is
not located here, Federal-Mogul and Manitowoc contribute to the success of our
business and have a direct impact on the products we supply. We can
demonstrate our appreciation to them by supporting the community organizations
they value."
"We also enjoy the opportunity to educate local officials, state
legislators and the Manitowoc Community on the benefits of doing business with
Toyota and how international trade has improved the community's business
climate," said Chiappetta.
Federal-Mogul chose Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manitowoc County because
"We believe that by supporting Manitowoc's youth, we are actually supporting
our future in Manitowoc," according to Human Resources Manager Dean Nowinsky.
Federal-Mogul's involvement in the community has been strong throughout its 18
years in the Manitowoc area. Federal-Mogul has supported area colleges,
schools, food pantries, clubs, sports teams, and other charitable
organizations.
Big Brothers Big Sisters have been working with local youths and families
for almost 25 years. Currently the organization has more than 90 volunteers
who serve as mentors to local youth. According to organization director David
Ressler, Big Brothers Big Sisters' goal is to help professionally supervised
adult volunteers serve as mentors and friends to children, especially to those
without the companionship and support of one of their parents.
"Through these matches we can provide friendship, guidance and support
while being a positive role model in a child's life by exposing the child to
new situations, cultural events and activities," said Ressler. "We provide an
adult resource to exploring options, values and career and educational
alternatives with local children."
Federal-Mogul is only the fourth organization in the nation to partner
with Toyota for this community program.
The Manitowoc facility of Federal-Mogul supplies parts for several Toyota
models including the Camry, Avalon, Sienna, Corolla, and Celero's. Parts
manufactured in Manitowoc are shipped to the Toyota plants in West Virginia,
Kentucky, Canada, and Shimoyama, Japan.
Federal-Mogul is proud to work closely with Toyota in the design of world
class piston rings, and is honored to be chosen as one of Toyota's top
suppliers.
Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Federal-Mogul is an automotive
parts manufacturer providing innovative solutions and systems to global
customers in the automotive, light truck, heavy-duty, railroad, farm and
industrial markets. The company was founded in 1899. Visit the company's web
site at http://www.federal-mogul.com for more information. Federal-Mogul's
press releases are available by fax through Company News On-Call, call
800-758-5804, ext. 306225.