Officials from Toyota Material Handling in Columbus received the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence Award for Community Impact during the Indiana Manufacturers Association’s Hall of Fame Luncheon on Oct. 18 at Bitwell Event Center in Indianapolis.
The awards, given annually by the IMA, recognize manufacturers that make important contributions to the customers and communities they serve and set an example for other companies to follow.
Toyota Material Handling was selected from a group of applicants for showing exemplary leadership and a strong commitment to community service as reflected in its company policy, resources and employee participation, according to a news release from Toyota.
“At Toyota, we believe it is our responsibility to contribute to society in meaningful ways and make a real difference in the communities in which we live and work,” said Tony Miller, Toyota Material Handling senior vice president of operations, engineering and strategic planning. “We take that responsibility seriously, and it’s an honor to be recognized with this award by the IMA.
“I’d like to thank every one of our associates for their unwavering commitment to making our community a better place,” he said. “This award is not about the contributions of a few. It’s only possible because of the efforts of everyone at Toyota. We will always seek opportunities to invest in the communities we serve and dedicate our time and resources to continuously improve the lives of those around us.”
Toyota has cultivated numerous community-focused relationships, including corporate partnerships with the American Red Cross, United Way and Anchor House, a local nonprofit focusing on investing in neighbors through housing, employment resources and nutritional assistance.
Throughout the year, Toyota sponsors and organizes volunteer activities on and off Toyota’s campus. In 2022, Toyota associates donated 12,000 hours of their time to support local organizations, contributing to a total economic impact of $750,000.
“We instituted the Indiana Manufacturers Hall of Fame Awards in 2015 to help bring awareness and recognition to the many positive contributions of Hoosier manufacturers and added the Manufacturing Excellence Awards in 2019 to focus and honor companies in specific areas of achievement,” said Brian Burton, president and CEO of the manufacturer’s association.