-- Nearly $1 million in grant funding for programs near DENSO communities will help prepare students to join the manufacturing industry's growing skilled trade workforce --

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Supporting the communities DENSO serves and providing resources for the next generation of technical workers to succeed are core to DENSO's success. To fulfill these promises, DENSO's philanthropic arm - the DENSO North America Foundation (DNAF) - funds programs across the continent each year providing hands-on learning opportunities in areas from robotics and thermodynamics to design and materials development.

On May 22, the DNAF board confirmed its 2017 college and university grants: nearly $1 million in overall funding for 22 institutions and educational programs across North America.

"Innovation throughout the manufacturing industry will continue to produce more growth opportunities for students in skilled trades and technical fields," said Doug Patton, president of the DENSO North America Foundation and executive vice president of Engineering at DENSO International America, Inc. "Companies will lean on this young workforce for years to come, and in order to succeed we need to empower students by giving a better sense for what they'll experience in the workplace."

"The automotive industry relies more and more on those with expertise in fields like robotics and electrical engineering and mechanical engineering," said David Cole, DENSO North American Foundation board member. "Supporting STEM education enables DENSO to develop the next generation of talent needed to fill these roles. It also helps students find ways to translate their passion and skills into opportunity after graduation."

Since 2001, the DNAF has advanced the auto industry through grants to colleges and universities, providing students with technology, tools, and experiences similar to that of the professional workplace they'll experience after graduation. The proposal process for these education grants is invite only, and all proposals are evaluated based on technical merit, student experience, and alignment with industry needs.

This year's grant recipients include:

Arkansas Northeastern College
Arkansas State University
California State University - Long Beach
Cleveland State Community College
CONALEP Technical College
Conestoga College
East Tennessee State University
FIME - Mechanical and Electrical Engineer College
Kettering University
Lawrence Technological University
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
North Carolina State University
Northeast State Community College
Oakland University
Tennessee Technological University
Trine University
University of Guelph
University of Kentucky
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Western Michigan University
About the DENSO North America Foundation

A registered 501(c)3 corporate foundation, the DENSO North America Foundation is dedicated to helping students advance their education in engineering, technology and other related programs. Founded in 2001, the Foundation provides grants to colleges and universities throughout North America, helping our communities prosper through the development of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. The Foundation also provides disaster relief grants through the American Red Cross to aid persons and communities in which DENSO Corporation operates. For more information, visit http://densofoundation.org.

About DENSO in North America

DENSO is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. With its North American headquarters located in Southfield, Michigan, DENSO employs more than 23,000 people at 30 consolidated companies and affiliates across the North American region. Of these, 28 are manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs more than 17,000 people in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. DENSO's North American consolidated sales totaled US$9.6 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. For more information, go to www.denso.com/us-ca/en. Connect with DENSO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DENSOinNorthAmerica.