Navistar Diesel of Alabama has been named a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center Corporate Citizenship Award, the nation’s highest honor for businesses engaging in corporate social responsibility. Navistar Diesel of Alabama is one of 20 companies nationwide to receive this distinction, and one of five finalists in the U.S. Community Service category.
The company, which produces MaxxForce brand commercial diesel engines for Navistar’s International brand trucks and other OEM customers, is recognized for a unique program that gave employees the opportunity to work in the community during a temporary lull in production. Instead of being laid off, employees provided valuable services to the Huntsville, Ala., community. They refurbished homes for Habitat for Humanity, created numerous wheelchair ramps for CASA (Care Assurance Systems for the Aging and Homebound) and sorted inventory for the Salvation Army.
“This year’s finalists exemplify that despite the current economic uncertainty, companies continue to care about giving back to their communities,” says Stephen Jordan, BCLC’s executive director. “They have made a difference on issues ranging from economic recovery to education to the environment.”
“Our Employee-to-Volunteer program benefited everyone,” says Chuck Sibley, plant manager of Navistar Diesel of Alabama. “Employees continued to receive their paychecks with full benefits, local residents received needed assistance and Navistar was able to give back to the community while retaining valuable talent.”
“Navistar strives to be a good corporate citizen, wherever we do business, and our program in Huntsville is an example of that,” says Dan Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We support the communities where our employees live and work in many ways, be it employee volunteerism, participation on the boards of local organizations or corporate philanthropy. We are grateful that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has recognized the efforts of our Huntsville diesel engine plant.”
The winners in each category will be announced on Nov. 30 at the 2010 Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. For the U.S. Community Service and International Community Service categories, a peer committee that includes past award winners will select the winner.
