About Us

In order to confirm our relationships with our local stakeholders, we issue an annual external opinion survey to obtain feedback on our key focus areas for example: education, employee relations, community involvement and the environment.

We seek the opinions of our local community including: suppliers, education contacts, community groups, local government and media contacts. The survey helps us to understand the impact of our actions upon our local stakeholders and identify improvements as necessary. With this information we can engage with activities that contribute to the sustainable development of the local community.

Detailed below are examples of our community engagement activity:

Community Liaison Committee

Before we started to develop our plant at Burnaston, Derbyshire, we engaged with the local communities and villages surrounding the site. The Community Liaison Committee, made up of representatives from the parish councils, local authorities and agencies was formed to provide a voice for local neighbours. Today, we continue to hold meetings bi-annually to keep the local community informed of relevant activities and the issues that affect the company and the local community. By working in partnership with our local community our target is to receive zero complaints annually.

Public Visit Programme

Our public visit programme allows members of the local community, businesses, education groups and customers to visit our Burnaston plant and learn more about our global and UK operations, company culture and the Toyota Production System. The programme typically runs between March and October each year when around 4,000 people have the opportunity to join the programme which is based on approved application only. Our target is to achieve 100% visitor satisfaction. Further details on the public visit programme can be located on this website, please follow the 'About Us' link and select 'Public Visits', or by clicking on the following link TMUK public visit programme.

Community Investment

Since the start of production in 1992, we have contributed to a variety of both local and national community causes.  Through the social contributions programme, over £4 million has been donated to charities and organisations. Our focus of support is based around our main focus areas – environment, children, education, and health. In addition, employee involvement in the community is encouraged and, where suitable, we will offer financial support to employee fund-raising activities or to local community organisations in which employees play an active role. We regularly support local charitable events through the donation of raffle prizes and vehicles.

Working with Charities

In 2008, the Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust (reg no 1124678) was formed with the continued aim of supporting local community charitable activity within the Burnaston and Deeside areas.

During 2010, the trust continued to raise funds through employee and corporate activity raising over £111,000 for good causes, the two main beneficiaries were the NSPCC and Cancer Research UK.  Other local beneficiaries of the fund included: Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance, British Heart Foundation, Derbyshire Association for the Blind, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the Donna Louise Trust, Derby Hospitals Charitable Trust, P.A.T.C.H, Derbyshire Disabled Cricket, Burton Hospital, Saint Benedict School, the Vineyard Arches Trust and the North West Air Ambulance.

During 2011, we have two nominated charities.  We will continue our support of the NSPCC, supporting an end to child cruelty (to date we have donated over £868,000 to local projects).  New for 2011 is the British Heart Foundation who, in their 50th year, continue to be fully committed to preventing heart disease.

In addition, in the areas surrounding both plants, the Trust continues to support charities and local good causes.

During 2011, 30% of the donation fund raised is available to local charities; the application period is now closed for 2011. 

In order to be considered for the 2012 award, please diary a return to the website in October 2012 when the application period will be open for one month.  If you are interested in applying for a donation from this fund, please check your eligibility via the application criteria form which will appear on the website at that time.  The successful organisation will be notified in January 2013.

The Lucy Prince Community Grant Award

Typically, the Toyota Charitable Trust provides grants of up to £1,000 on a quarterly basis for successful projects in the fields of environment, children, education and health within our local community - as per the Community Grant Application Form above. 

However, the Lucy Prince Community Grant Award is an enhanced, one off amount of £5,000 which is awarded on an annual basis. This particular award is aimed at those organistions who aim to support and bring about improvements in family life, specifically targeting families within the Derbyshire area.

Recipients of the award:-

2010   The Derbyshire Childrens Holiday Centre, Skegness

2011   The Arena Foodbank, Ilkeston

In order to be considered for the 2012 award, please diary a return to the website in June 2012 when the application period will be open for one month.  The successful organisation will be notified in July 2012.

Education links

We are committed to supporting the promotion of engineering and manufacturing as future career options for school pupils through our education links and activities.

Our activities in this area include :

The Toyota Technology Challenge

The Toyota Technology Challenge, a national school-based challenge encourages pupils to design, build and race environmentally friendly vehicles made from recycled materials. Developed by Toyota Manufacturing UK in partnership with Rapid Electronics, the Challenge is aimed at Key Stage 3 & 4 (aged 11 – 16) design technology or ICT students. Designed to be fun and affordable, the two Challenge categories, solar power and PIC microcontroller, aim to stimulate pupils to consider options in engineering and manufacturing.

Our target is to increase the number of pupils participating in the challenge and schools submitting project folders [Stage 1] each year. For more information and to view a film showing a recent national final, visit www.rapidonline.com/toyota.

Young Engineers

Our engineers visit three secondary schools in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Flintshire each week to work alongside pupils on a variety of real-life engineering challenges. We have supported the national Young Engineers programme since 2000. The programme runs clubs in schools and colleges across the UK and aims to inspire young people to recognise the importance and excitement of a future career in engineering.

Educational plant visits

Currently, we allocate 30% of our Public Visit Programme visits at the Burnaston plant to educational institutions.

Local Partnerships

We are also a member of the Derbyshire Education & Business Partnership, this is a group of local education representatives and local businesses to raise standards of achievement, develop a culture of lifelong learning and prepare young people for the world of working in the South Derbyshire area.

Environmental education

Environmental awareness and education are key to a sustainable future. To raise awareness of our responsible manufacturing techniques and holistic approach towards the environment, we have been a premier sponsor of the Conkers Environmental Discovery Centre since it opened in 2001. CONKERS, the award winning environmental attraction based in South Derbyshire which offers a unique mix of indoor and outdoor experiences. Our partnership with Conkers provides us with a unique opportunity for us to demonstrate our environmental responsibility to a diverse audience in an engaging manner through interactive exhibits and display graphics. For further information visit www.visitconkers.com

Derby County Football Club

To support the wider community, since 1992 Toyota Manufacturing UK has been a corporate sponsor of Derby County Football Club. We currently sponsor the West Stand at the Pride Park Stadium.