Leviton Donates Capital Assets to Regional Economic Development Agency in North Carolina
Endowment Aimed at Stimulating Local Area Job Growth
Little Neck, New York, April 4, 2009 - Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. is pleased to announce the donation of two of its manufacturing facilities and properties to Ashe County Job Development Inc., a community economic development organization focused on attracting businesses and job opportunities to North Carolina's Ashe's County. The properties, located in Jefferson, North Carolina, are being donated to assist in the creation of local area jobs. Due to the severe decline in residential housing starts and commercial/industrial construction, the manufacturing of product lines at these facilities was consolidated at plants the company operates in Morganton, North Carolina and El Paso, Texas last year.
As a leading employer in the community for four decades, Ashe County and Leviton have shared a mutually beneficial partnership, with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the relationship. Over this period, Leviton has developed world-class operations and implemented ISO Certification, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, 5s and JIT programs with the help and support of its employees. Leviton employees have also designed and built the company's automation equipment along with various molds and dies required in the manufacturing process.
As a family-owned company that provides active support for the communities in which it operates, Leviton anticipates that its donation will position Ashe County to competitively recruit job opportunities for those employees who have been affected by the impact of the economic downturn. It is on behalf of those employees that Leviton makes this donation, notes Lou Lovelace, Vice President and General Manager of the Company's Southern Devices Division.
About Leviton Manufacturing
Leviton Manufacturing is North America's leading manufacturer of electrical and electronic wiring devices. Founded at the dawn of electricity, Leviton has a 103-year long history of product innovation and service excellence. The company's forward-thinking management practices and employee programs have received recognition from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and healthcare provider Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Leviton has a long tradition of philanthropy and social responsibility programs, employee wellness programs and incentives for healthy living and a "green mandate" that supports energy efficient building construction, energy conservation and ecologically conscious business practices. For more information, contact Leviton Manufacturing or visit www.leviton.com.
