Mercedes-Benz Vans Supports Creation of IAAM’s Studio Time Workshop

Mercedes-Benz Vans Supports IAAM’s Studio Time Workshop

CHARLESTON, S.C. (May 31, 2019) – Mercedes-Benz Vans (MBV), the Sprinter van manufacturer in the North Charleston area, will partner with the International African American Museum (IAAM) to support the creation of its Studio Time Workshop. The museum’s Workshop will provide dynamic, interactive educational opportunities for learners of all ages.

Mercedes-Benz Vans announced its support of the IAAM during a company-wide Diversity Day celebration on May 30, 2019. Michael Boulware Moore, IAAM president and CEO, and Joseph P. Riley, Jr., lifetime IAAM board member and former mayor of Charleston, joined the festivities at the manufacturing plant.

“The slogan for MBV’s 2019 Diversity Day is ‘Change Your Perspective,’ encouraging our team to take a fresh look at our surroundings and adopt new perspectives. This was the perfect day to announce this exciting partnership to our team members as the IAAM plans to build bridges between the past and the future, and change perspectives along the way,” said Arnhelm Mittelbach, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

“The partnership between Mercedes-Benz Vans and the IAAM is a natural fit,” said Joseph P. Riley, Jr. “Our two organizations share an understanding of the value of education, a dedication to supporting arts and culture, a deep-rooted interest in fostering dialogues and understanding between various people and cultures, and a commitment to the state of South Carolina and its residents.”

Mittelbach also mentioned, “The culture we live here at Mercedes-Benz Vans is all about working together as one team with respect and appreciation for one another. The diverse experiences and perspectives of our team members contribute to creative solutions, and we see the same happening in our community. We are proud to be a part of bringing the museum’s Studio Time activities to the Charleston community to highlight experiential learning and understanding.”

“At its core, the IAAM is a center of education,” said Michael Boulware Moore. “We are committed to creating dynamic learning experiences, which will provide missing chapters of our nation’s past, uncovering the broad and central role African Americans have played in building our state, country and world. We are excited to work with Mercedes-Benz Vans to foster life-long learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

About MBV

Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (“MBV”)is a plant in Ladson, South Carolina that produces Sprinter vans for the North American market under the brands Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner. The midsize Metris van was added to the assembly line in 2015.

Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC invested 500 million U.S. dollars in the construction of a new Sprinter production plant in addition to an expansion of the previous assembly operations. In September 2018, MBV officially opened its new plant, located next to existing operations in the North Charleston area. The Mercedes-Benz vans facility will provide up to 1,300 jobs by the end of 2020.

More than 130,000 Sprinters have been assembled in North Charleston and delivered to destinations in the U.S and Canada since 2006. The U.S. is now the second largest market for Sprinter vans, after Germany.