March 23, 2004

 Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and DEQ Director Steven E. Chester today announced NSK Corporation earned the distinction of becoming Michigan’s 94th Clean Corporate Citizen.

“We are proud to welcome NSK Corporation, as the newest member of the Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen program,” said Governor Granholm. “This is the fourth Clean Corporate Citizen from Washtenaw County and the second from Ann Arbor to achieve this honor.”

“We are honored to receive the distinction of being one of Michigan’s Clean Corporate Citizens,” said Julie Lynch, Human Resource Manager at NSK Corporation. “NSK is a long-time citizen of the Ann Arbor area and is committed to contributing to our neighborhood in a positive way. NSK is dedicated to conducting operations in a manner which prevents pollution, protects the environment in which we interact, and provides quality outcomes in all aspects of our business.”

The NSK Corporation is a world-class producer of ball and roller bearings. The Corporation was created from two old and respected names in the bearing industry, Hoover Ball and Bearing and Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha. They have had their headquarters in Ann Arbor since 1916. They express an intense commitment to environmental protection, engineering research, and an obsession with quality to produce the industry’s leading anti-friction bearings.

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. Clean Corporate Citizens are eligible for certain regulatory benefits under the state’s environmental programs, including expedited permit approval. The program is open to establishments regulated under any of Michigan’s environmental statutes. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

“We are glad to see this proactive company join the ranks of Michigan’s elite environmental performers,” DEQ Director Chester said. “The company’s commitment to environmental protection is evident in its operations, involvement in pollution prevention, and policy of continual environmental improvement.”

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised March 23, 2004 by Pat Watson