#United States #Maryville #DENSO Manufacturing #CADIA Impact Award #Employee Support

DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee Team Recognized for Supporting New Mothers

On May 28, 2025, Christine Gray and Haley Penney from DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. were awarded the prestigious CADIA Impact Award for their innovative project aimed at supporting working mothers. This recognition came from CADIA, an organization that focuses on enhancing opportunities in the automotive industry. Specifically, the award acknowledged their efforts in establishing standardized lactation rooms across their expansive Maryville campus.

The initiative, which began as a grassroots movement, stemmed from the desire to provide comfortable and private spaces for nursing mothers. Gray, an electrical controls engineer, and Penney, a quality engineer, identified a pressing need for these accommodations and set out to implement changes that would make a real difference in the workplace for new mothers.

Gray reflected on the project's origins, highlighting how it started with a simple request for one lactation room within the Electrification Systems Division. However, it soon became apparent that the need was much broader, leading to a campus-wide initiative.

"This started as a grassroots effort within our facility to meet the needs of our team members, and we recognized our ability to improve accommodations and contribute to a more inclusive culture," Gray stated.

In December 2022, the duo collaborated with colleagues from the DENSO Women’s Associate Resource Group and site leaders to evaluate existing spaces and develop standards for conversion into lactation rooms. The project was designed to ensure privacy, comfort, and security for nursing mothers. A unique aspect of this initiative was the innovative room design, which incorporates areas for milk storage and retrieval, minimizing disruptions during pumping sessions.

Currently, DMTN has successfully established four lactation rooms, with plans to open two more by fall 2025. These rooms are strategically located across different buildings within the campus to ensure that all employees have easy access. Once completed, each building housing manufacturing or office spaces will feature at least one dedicated lactation room.

Penney expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement. "We've come a long way in this effort, and while there's still more to do, we appreciate all the collaboration and support we've gotten from various departments and site leaders," she said.

Beyond their work on the lactation initiative, Gray and Penney are also active members of the DENSO Women’s Associate Resource Group, participating in STEM activities designed to inspire local students to explore technical careers.

The CADIA Impact Awards recognize individuals and organizations that address workplace equity and inclusion. Gray accepted the award on behalf of both herself and Penney during a ceremony in Troy, Michigan, on May 21.

"DENSO strives to be a place where all can succeed," Chuntao Ye, president of DMTN, mentioned during the awards ceremony. "To do that, we must work to help people of all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, respected and heard. Christine and Haley embody these values, and we are so appreciative of their efforts."

Gray and Penney join a growing list of DENSO team members recognized for their commitment to inclusivity, further establishing the company as a leader in supporting employees' needs. Last year, Victoria White from DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee received an award for Creating Inclusive Cultures, and Christina Khim from DENSO Manufacturing Michigan was a runner-up in 2023.

DENSO, headquartered in Kariya, Japan, is one of the world’s largest mobility suppliers, providing advanced technology for a variety of vehicles. In North America, DENSO prides itself on fostering an inclusive environment, investing heavily in employee support systems that facilitate growth and well-being in the workplace. To learn more about DENSO and their commitment to employee success, visit densocareers.com.