Photo by Toyota Motor Manufacturing .
Big Business , Local Impact
Collaborating for Collective Growth
ARIANNA WHITEHAIR
Two of the nation ’ s leading businesses , Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Procter & Gamble , are making a home for themselves in the Mountain State and elevating local small businesses in the process . With the innovative merging of a big business mindset and small-town charm , West Virginia is now enjoying more job opportunities , increased state revenue and successful expansion of its ever-growing small business community .
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
“ It ’ s the old adage proven true — if you want to go fast , go alone . If you want to go far , go together ,” says David Rosier , president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia ( TMMWV ).
Rosier has seen the tremendous impact Toyota has had on the local community of Buffalo , WV . Toyota , a multinational automotive manufacturer , has been on top of its game for decades — a game that has now come to the Mountain State , bringing lasting relationships , a multitude of jobs and an abundance of revenue . In the 1990s , Toyota , with hopes of expanding its U . S . manufacturing footprint , searched for a location that would complement its vehicle plant in Georgetown , KY . Upon an order from former U . S . Senator
Jay Rockefeller , the company considered and eventually decided on Buffalo to be the home of its new plant . To this day , TMMWV is the company ’ s only combined engine and transmission plant in North America . In the past 15 months alone , nearly $ 500 million has been invested in the plant .
“ Toyota West Virginia ’ s initial project was to produce four-cylinder engines , but soon after that it was announced that we would double capacity with a second production to build V6 engines for the Camry ,” says Rosier . “ Toyota continues to invest in West Virginia because of our strong workforce . The teams who come to work here every day are smart , safety-minded , innovative people who solve problems and refuse to back down from a challenge . In short , they get the job done .”
The company employs more than 2,000 people and has made a $ 10 million investment in the state through its philanthropic efforts . Earlier this year , it also announced the Toyota 4T Academy , a career development plan that brings high school seniors and juniors into the plant to learn more about advanced manufacturing .
“ This is our community . This is where our employees and our customers work and live . We want to make it great ,” says Rosier .
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