HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Sept. 15, 2010)—Navistar Diesel of Alabama has been named a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) Corporate Citizenship Award, the nation’s highest honor for businesses engaging in corporate social responsibility. Navistar Diesel of Alabama is one of 20 companies nationwide to receive this distinction, and one of five finalists in the U.S. Community Service category.

The company, which produces MaxxForce® brand commercial diesel engines for Navistar’s International® brand trucks and other OEM customers, is recognized for a unique program that gave employees the opportunity to work in the community during a temporary lull in production. Instead of being laid off, employees provided valuable services to the Huntsville, Ala., community. They refurbished homes for Habitat for Humanity, created numerous wheelchair ramps for CASA (Care Assurance Systems for the Aging and Homebound) and sorted inventory for the Salvation Army.

“This year’s finalists exemplify that despite the current economic uncertainty, companies continue to care about giving back to their communities,” said BCLC’s Executive Director Stephen Jordan. “They have made a difference on issues ranging from economic recovery to education to the environment.”

“Our Employee-to-Volunteer program benefited everyone,” said Chuck Sibley, plant manager, Navistar Diesel of Alabama. “Employees continued to receive their paychecks with full benefits, local residents received needed assistance, and Navistar was able to give back to the community while retaining valuable talent.”

“Navistar strives to be a good corporate citizen, wherever we do business, and our program in Huntsville is an example of that,” said Dan Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and CEO. “We support the communities where our employees live and work in many ways, be it employee volunteerism, participation on the boards of local organizations or corporate philanthropy. We are grateful that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has recognized the efforts of our Huntsville diesel engine plant.”

The winners in each category will be announced on Nov. 30, 2010, at the 2010 Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. For the U.S. Community Service and International Community Service categories, a peer committee that includes past award winners will select the winner.

About BCLC
BCLC is the U.S. Chamber's resource and voice for businesses' social and philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. All awards categories and finalists can be viewed at www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards.