Toyota celebrated 40 years of US manufacturing today with an event at the premises of Toyota Auto Body California (TABC) in Long Beach. On hand were employees of the facility, local officials, and executives with Toyota and various suppliers.

In 1972, Toyota partnered with Atlas Fabricators in Long Beach to manufacture truck beds for commercial vehicles in the US market. Two years later, Toyota bought the facility outright and renamed it TABC. Today, the facility makes steering columns, catalytic converters, and stamped and welded parts for various Toyota vehicle assembly plants in North America and Japan. It also tests, inspects, and safely repackages used-up hybrid vehicle batteries.

There are over 470 employees of TABC, which has investment of over $270 million.

"The spirit of family is what makes TABC unique," Atsushi Niimi, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Corporation, said in a statement. "As our first manufacturing plant in the US, TABC's rich history represents Toyota's commitment to outstanding teamwork and continuous improvement."

"TABC has played a vital role in Toyota's formula for success in the US," said Mike Bafan, president of TABC. "And our mission was clear; to set the stage for Toyota's growth by building the best products. And over these 40 years, we have proven ourselves as a world-class manufacturer with an outstanding workforce that's dedicated to safety and quality."

TABC commemorated its 40 years in the Long Beach community with the following charitable contributions:

$35,000 joint gift by Toyota Motor Sales, USA and Toyota Financial Services:

o   California Conference for Equality and Justice

Recipients of Toyota Siennas:

o   Children Today

o   United Friends of the Children

$5,000 gift:

o   Academic Uprise

o   American Red Cross

o   Assistance League of Long Beach

o   Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach

o   Conservation Corps of Long Beach

o   Special Olympics of Southern California

$5,000 Toyota scholarships gift:

o   California State University Long Beach

o   Long Beach City College

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