Manufacturers Honor Carus Corporation of Illinois

WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/06/10 -  The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) today recognized Carus Corporation of north central Illinois with the Sandy Trowbridge Award for Excellence in Community Service.  The Award honors an NAM member company that has shown exemplary leadership in serving its community or state and is an example of the giving spirit of our nation’s manufacturers and businesses.

A small, privately-owned company employing 280 people worldwide, Carus Corporation budgets nearly $350,000 in financial resources a year so employees can use paid time to volunteer during working hours. As a result, Carus Corporation and its employees have designated nearly 700 hours for volunteer time so far in 2010.

“Carus Corporation exemplifies the proud tradition of business commitment to community service that is the legacy of Sandy Trowbridge,” said NAM President and CEO John Engler. “The company’s volunteer leadership focuses on youth and education and helping others throughout Illinois -- improving the quality of life for many and providing an inspiring example of public service at its best.”

The Trowbridge Award is named after the late Alexander B. “Sandy” Trowbridge, former Secretary of Commerce who served as president of the NAM from 1979 to 1989. Trowbridge was known for his leadership on behalf of manufacturing and for his strong commitment to community service.
 
“We are proud of our employees and the passion they bring to service projects that enrich our surrounding communities in countless ways,” said President and CEO Inga Carus, the third generation of the Carus family to lead the corporation. “Community service is at the heart of all that Carus does. Volunteerism is a core value at Carus Corporation, and our employees are leading by example.”

 Carus employees undertake a broad range of volunteer initiatives focused on helping others in the classroom and through community and humanitarian projects. Following are some of the company’s numerous outreach efforts:

• The annual “Summer Science Camp for Kids” provides fifth-graders with an in-depth, hands-on learning experience in the physical sciences. 

• Carus sponsors a summer program for elementary and secondary educators called Scientific Work Experience Program for Teachers (SWEPT) that pays teachers to work with scientists and engineers and helps them develop a better understanding of the skills required for student success.

• The Early Career Conference at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry encourages students to understand and appreciate science and mathematics.

• A number of employees volunteer to teach students in grades six to eight about economics and business over a six-week period each year.

• In partnership with the United Way, Carus employees volunteer to repair and rehabilitate the homes of local senior citizens and at-risk residents.

• Each year, Carus sponsors several collections for the local homeless shelter and community food pantry, working closely with the local Red Cross chapter.

• Employees take part in maintaining and preserving local historical sites.

Carus Corporation was founded in LaSalle, Ill. in 1915. During its more than 90-year history, the company has grown into a world leader for a range of products used chiefly in environmental applications for the municipal and industrial markets with locations in the United States, Europe and Asia.