June 23, 2004

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that Plastech Engineered Products in Port Huron has been designated as the 100th Clean Corporate Citizen through a voluntary program that recognizes environmental stewardship. The Plastech facility in Clarkston, Michigan also received Clean Corporate Citizen designation in December 2003.

“I congratulate the associates and management at the Port Huron facility for this achievement,” Governor Granholm said. “This accomplishment reflects Plastech Engineered Products’ support and encouragement for environmental excellence and shows that a quality environment can form a true partnership with vital economic growth.”

Plastech-Port Huron - formerly LDM Technologies - supplies the automotive industry with a wide variety of injection molded plastic automotive parts. The 142,500 square foot manufacturing, shipping, and receiving facility operates with a workforce of 257 associates.

The facility has committed to environmental goals and improvements to prevent pollution and keep wastes out of landfills. On-going programs will reduce aerosols, scrap plastic parts, and scrap components by at least 50 percent. The Port Huron team has also set goals to reduce the amount of oil used at the facility by 25 percent and ensure that all associates receive environmental training.

“Plastech Port Huron is very excited about being the 100th facility to be recognized as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen,” said Steve Slezinski, Plastech Port Huron Advanced Quality/Engineering Manager. “This recognition has been accomplished by the dedication of our employees and their commitment to continual improvement and teamwork.”

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. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

The facility earned International Standards Organization 14001 certification in 2001, meeting the voluntary international standard for environmental management systems. The Port Huron team works directly with their contractors to ensure that all environmental aspects of on-site operations conform to the ISO 14001 standard.

“I am pleased to add Plastech’s Port Huron facility to our growing list of Clean Corporate Citizens and I congratulate the entire team for this achievement,” said DEQ Director Steven Chester. “By always operating with their eye on the target of environmental excellence, they add value to the surrounding community and demonstrate that pollution prevention can also benefit the business bottom-line.”

Plastech Engineered Products, Inc. is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. The company is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supplier of interior and exterior products. Its process capabilities include injection and blow molding, interior and exterior painting, metal stamping, and extrusion. Plastech employs over 3,280 associates throughout its Michigan facilities, and 6,000 nationwide.

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

Revised June 23, 2004 by Pat Watson