Team 1 Plastics’ Community Footprint

What does it mean for Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the automotive industry, to have a community footprint?

First of all, a community footprint is a location. Specifically, for Team 1 Plastics, it is the city in which the company is located – Albion, Michigan – as well as the communities in which its Team Members reside and are connected. As the map illustrates, Team 1’s community footprint includes many of the local communities surrounding Albion.

Secondly, a community footprint is the impact that a company has on its local community. As part of its Championship Dream, Team 1 Plastics strives to be a Positive Community Member.

Exceptional people benefit from supportive family environments and strong communities. We believe that Team 1 has an obligation to be a strong positive influence on our team members’ families and their communities. We strongly value the importance of continuous learning of our team members and their families with special emphasis on the children of our communities. We will support and encourage our team members’ volunteer activities. In addition, Team 1 will focus its financial contributions to the local community. Members of our families or communities will never hear: “It is not our problem;” instead, they will hear: “We will work together to make a positive difference.”

Each year, Team 1 Plastics contributes financially to many local community organizations, supporting the arts, economic development, youth, and education. Here are a few examples of organizations to which Team 1 recently donated: the Bohm Theater, the new hotel under construction in downtown Albion, the Franke Center for the Arts, the MarLee School’s track program, Swingin’ at the Shell, and Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum.

Do those financial contributions make an impact? They do. Here’s one example: “I would like to sincerely thank you for your financial contribution to our 2017 Meals of Hope food packing event. On March 4, 2017, over 150 volunteers from our community assembled together to package 50,000 meals to be distributed to food pantries, churches, and schools throughout the Marshall, Albion, and surrounding communities.” (Scott Hutchins, Principal, Marshall High School)

And, it’s not just financial contributions – the company and its Team Members also give contributions of time to volunteer and serve their communities. For example, each year, Team Members participate in the local Harrington Elementary Schools’ Halloween parade. In April 2017, Rob Clothier, Team 1’s Human Resource Manager, volunteered in the Marshall School District through Junior Achievement.

And, the owners lead by example. Craig Carrel, Team 1’s President and co-Owner, was one of three community leaders who developed “Run Albion” — a three-event 5-K/10-K/Fun Run/Walk to bring the community together in healthy activity while raising money for local organizations. The inaugural event, “Run the Rock” was held on May 5, 2017, and earned $600 for the Forks Senior Center.

Finally, a community footprint should leave a legacy. In its support of programs such as Marshall School’s STEP program, FIRST Robotics, and MI WORKS Youth Program, Team 1 is helping to developing the future workforce, specifically in manufacturing and STEM careers. In addition, each year since 2011, Team 1 Plastics has had at least one intern working for the company during the summer. This summer, the company has three interns.