WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) applauds Toyota for its ongoing commitment to supplier diversity. Through its continued investments with Hispanic Business Enterprises, Toyota has advanced to the highest level of the USHCC's Million Dollar Club rankings (over $500 million) in 2013.
The Million Dollar Club was created to recognize and honor corporations that have demonstrated an ever-evolving commitment to supplier diversity. The honorees range from companies conducting $25 million, to more than $500 million in business with Hispanic-owned firms each year.
"The USHCC is proud to see Toyota strengthen the bond between corporate America and Hispanic business. Toyota has shown a true commitment to the Hispanic business community; their procurement strategies are creating jobs, spurring economic development, and bolstering opportunities in communities throughout the nation," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "Toyota understands that supplier diversity is not only the right thing to do, but more importantly, it is a profitable business practice that brings them closer to their customers, investors and employees. It's because of these investments that Toyota continues to stay highly competitive on a global scale."
Last year, Mr. Palomarez was invited to deliver the keynote address at Toyota's Opportunity Exchange, one of the nation's largest minority business gatherings with 1,700 top-tier suppliers and minority business owners. Toyota has been the number one car brand among Hispanics for ten consecutive years, due in part to its robust supplier diversity programs.
"As a longstanding partner of Toyota, the USHCC has been privileged to witness the benefits of its steadfast commitment to supplier diversity. Year after year, Toyota recommits itself to investing in America's bourgeoning Hispanic business enterprises. The beneficiary of these collaborations is more than any individual community, but rather our nation as a whole," said USHCC Chairman Marc Rodriguez. "We look forward to expanding these opportunities in partnership with Toyota for years to come."
For more information on Toyota's commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit www.toyota.com/diversity.
About Toyota
Toyota, the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, Toyota has built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where it operates 14 manufacturing plants and directly employs more than 40,000 people. The company's 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute in excess of $468 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 220 major corporations.
For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.
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