Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Honors Ten Suppliers

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Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Honors Ten Suppliers
Seven Suppliers from Kentucky

04/25/2006 Georgetown, KY
April 25, 2006 – Georgetown, KY - Ten parts and service suppliers of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) were recognized during the TMMK Annual Purchasing Policy Meeting and Awards Ceremony in Lexington, Ky. The awards acknowledge those suppliers that met TMMK's highest standards in management, cost, quality, engineering, delivery and safety.

Six companies received TMMK's highest honor as Outstanding Business Partners. They include: Advanced Industrial Products (Lexington, Ky.), Henderson Services, LLC (Louisville, Ky.), Milagro Packaging (Cynthiana, Ky.), OfficeMax (Lexington, Ky.), Precision Staffing, Inc. (Lexington, Ky.), and Stillwater Technologies Inc. (Troy, Ohio).

Four other suppliers recognized for their support of TMMK include AOSafety (Indianapolis, Ind.), Ark Inc. (Georgetown, Ky.), Butcher Electric (Georgetown, Ky.), and CHD Meridian (Nashville, Tenn.).

"Obviously the quality of parts and services from our supplier base is critical to the success of our company," stated Keith Peel, Manager of Purchasing at TMMK. "These companies have met our high standards and have performed at high levels. We are grateful for their hard work and they are to be commended for meeting our expectations."

TMMK is Toyota's largest North American manufacturing facility with an annual capacity to produce 500,000 vehicles and engines and a workforce of approximately 7,000 team members. TMMK uses over 350 suppliers across the United States including more than 70 in Kentucky.


Outstanding Business Partners for 2005

Advanced Industrial Products, Inc. (Lexington, Ky.) --- AIP has been a supplier to TMMK since 1987, providing components utilized in factory automation and robotics from over 1,000 different manufacturers, as well as engineering and technical support for machinery and facilities operations. This marks the fourth time AIP has been honored by TMMK and the second consecutive year.

Henderson Services, LLC (Louisville, Ky.) --- Henderson has been working with TMMK for 20 years, providing electrical contracting and technical services associated with voice data and security. Henderson's ongoing education of their team members, covering the management, safety, and technical aspects of their jobs, has served as a foundation for strong customer focus and successful job performance.

Milagro Packaging (Cynthiana, Ky.) --- A TMMK supplier for 12 years, Milagro is located in Cynthiana, Ky., and was given TMMK's Supplier Delivery Award as well as Outstanding Business Partner Award. They also serve four other Toyota affiliates. Milagro provides packaging and corrugation for a variety of parts. This is the 7th award Milagro has received for service to TMMK.

OfficeMax (Lexington, Ky.) --- OfficeMax provides TMMK with office products, copy and printer paper for both office and production line-side use, furniture and other related products. OfficeMax periodically surveys their customers to gauge performance and obtain feedback and further opportunities for kaizens (continuous improvement).

Precision Staffing (Lexington, Ky.) --- A TMMK supplier for nine years, Precision Staffing was honored with TMMK's Customer Service Award as well Outstanding Business Partner Award. Precision Staffing furnishes temporary staffing for TMMK production requirements and works to develop a strong and cohesive on-site team committed to continuous improvement.

Stillwater Technologies, Inc. (Troy, Ohio) --- A long-time supplier, Stillwater has been supporting TMMK for the last 15 years. Stillwater provides parts, equipment, tooling and repairs for TMMK's welding operations. Stillwater maintains a regular presence within TMMK, actively participating in welding operation improvements while striving to be seen as a partner to TMMK's Body Weld department.

AOSafety (Indianapolis, Ind.) --- AOSafety has been a TMMK supplier for 19 years and was honored with the TMMK Supplier Cost Award. AOSafety coordinates TMMK's prescription safety eyewear program. To reduce their service cost, AOSafety implemented an instant, on-line system that covers ordering, eligibility and insurance needs for prescription eyewear.

Ark, Inc. (Georgetown, Ky.) --- A supplier to TMMK for 19 years, Ark, Inc., was honored with TMMK's Minority Development Award for developing business relationships with Minority Business Enterprises and supporting Toyota's MBE goals.
Ark provides a wide variety of parts and services to TMMK. They've successfully identified MBE's for several of these areas, such as maintenance steel, transportation, cleaning and repair services.

Butcher Electric, Inc. (Georgetown, Ky.) --- Located in Georgetown, Ky., and a TMMK supplier for 19 years, Butcher Electric, Inc., was honored with TMMK's Supplier Safety Award. Butcher maintains a program of continuing education for their team members to ensure safety policies are understood and practiced on a daily basis. Butcher also serves three other Toyota manufacturing plants.

CHD Meridian (Nashville, Tenn.) --- A supplier for nearly seven years, CHD Meridian was honored by TMMK with the Supplier Kaizen Award for continuous improvement. Meridian provides TMMK team members with on-site health care, occupational health, acute and emergency care and oversees the operation of our pharmacy. Meridian recently participated in a practical kaizen activity in which they completed a standardized work assessment for all health centers at TMMK.