Recognized for taking a STEP Ahead

For the second time in two years, an Eastman engineer has received a Women in Manufacturing STEP Ahead award. The award recognizes those who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Production, and helps inspire women—a typically underrepresented segment of the industrial workforce—to pursue and excel in related careers. Through STEP Ahead, hundreds of women from all levels of manufacturing have been recognized for excellence and leadership in their careers. Telling these stories inspires the next generation of young women to familiarize themselves with the industry through mentorship programs and eventually become the manufacturing leaders.

Building community on the mountain

To celebrate Earth Day, Eastman teamed up with Bays Mountain Park at our global headquarters in East Tennessee on a series of service projects to demonstrate support for environmental conservation and community collaboration. More than 35 volunteers participated in this “Hinge Project” – a series of community collaborations that support how innovative and impactful partnerships improve the quality of life in our communities. Reinforcing the statement “small hinges swing big doors,” these projects highlight how collectively investing in our communities builds trust, goodwill and long-term success for all.

Caring for community

Good neighbors know it’s important to talk to each other. At Eastman, our manufacturing site communities are more than just places we work—they’re our homes. And for 28 years, community leaders have been involved with Eastman Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) around the world. They have helped us keep the lines of communication open, ensuring we keep our neighbors informed and their best interests in mind. We offer an invitation for all our communities to share your thoughts at 423-229-CARE or publicaffairs@eastman.com

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Celebrating differences

Because workforce diversity and inclusion are of utmost importance at Eastman, we recently joined the National Center for Women & Information Technology Pacesetters campaign and hosted an inaugural "Sit With Me" event. This initiative’s broader purpose is to encourage gender parity in the technical fields, particularly information technology. We believe an inclusive, global culture in which everyone can do their best work makes our company and communities stronger. 

Inspiring young minds

Today’s global economy demands that students leave high school prepared for college and the workforce. Eastman partners strategically with educators, offering information, tools and experiences that prepare and guide students, while also giving them needed skills for living successful adult lives. When business and education come together, remarkable progress occurs.

Building a strong workforce

Eastman and other manufacturing companies sought to fill an impending skills gap in Northeast Tennessee by teaming up with government entities and Northeast State Community College to form the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. This unprecedented collaboration led to construction of a 26,000 square-foot facility called the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The facility provides training in the latest methodologies and equipment used in advanced manufacturing to meet workforce needs.