NMSDC recognizes Toyota as 2011 Corporation of the Year

Nov. 4, 2011—Toyota on Friday announced it was named as the 2011 Corporation of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) for its $1 billion investment in minority-owned suppliers and diverse communities.

The award, which was presented this week during the NMSDC Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga., recognizes Toyota’s leadership around supplier diversity that impacts all areas of its business operations. 

"Toyota is honored to receive this award from NMSDC for our efforts to support minority business inclusion and to partner with the organization for more than 20 years," said Shigeki Terashi, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. "Our company's foundation—The Toyota Way—is built on continuous improvement and respect for people, and this award reinforces our desire to find ways to strengthen and improve our processes, especially through supplier diversity."

Toyota said this is the second time the company has received the award, which is selected by a NMSDC national committee comprised of minority business owners.

"This recognition is reserved for corporations that fully embrace the value that minority suppliers bring to the corporate supply chain," said Joset Wright, president of NMSDC. "Toyota's commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development is firmly embedded in the corporate culture. Its comprehensive, world-class supplier diversity process is worthy of replication."

"I take great pride in my more than 10 years business partnership with Toyota," said Berto Guerra, chairman and CEO of Avanzar Interior Technologies. "Toyota has provided my company the support and opportunity to help ensure the growth vitality of my business and the community of San Antonio."

For more information about Toyota’s Corporation of the Year award, visit toyotanewsroom.com.

The NMSDC, chartered in 1972, provides a direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses. The organization provides increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit nmsdc.org.