Hino, WES become partners

Plant, school make business partnership

By MICHAEL ERB
WILLIAMSTOWN — Though Hino Motors and Williamstown Elementary School have been working together since last fall, Thursday the two officially became partners in education.

Representatives from Hino, Williamstown Elementary, Wood County Schools and the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley met Thursday to sign papers officially declaring the school and the business to be business partners. Hino opened in Williamstown in 2007, filling the vacancy left by Walker Systems when that plant closed.

Principal Keith Enoch said the two groups have been working together since October of last year when the school expressed interest in a new partnership and was approached by Hino officials wanting to help.

“There has been a partnership for a while now, but there was never the right timing to sign the paperwork and make it official,” Enoch said.

Volunteers from Hino have been helping tutor fourth- through sixth-grade students in math, and several of the workers including some administrators recently volunteered their services at the school’s annual student carnival. In return, Williamstown Elementary has allowed Hino the use of the school gymnasium Wednesday nights for basketball and volleyball.

Hino also recently donated water bottles for the school’s sixth-grade field trip, and has been looking to get more involved with the school in community projects.

“They have been very active and want to be very involved,” Enoch said. “It’s just been fantastic.”

Superintendent Bill Niday took part in the signing, and said Hino has been an invaluable resource.

“You have already quickly established yourself as a wonderful corporate partner,” he said. “This is a wonderful, wonderful thing for Wood County Schools, and thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you will do.”

Hino plant manager Tomo Suenaga thanked the gathered officials on behalf of the factory.

“I’m honored to accept this certificate,” he said. “We are so pleased to have this treasured community relationship.”

In its first “official” act as a business partner, the plant Thursday donated $2,000 to the school for the purchase of materials for its reading room.