NEWS RELEASE         

February 23, 2005

State Farm Donates Equipment to Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR— Several truckloads of office furniture have been donated from State Farm’s Jonesboro Claims office to ASU.  The donation came as a result of the office ‘right-sizing’ due to a company consolidation of claims offices, which was announced by State Farm officials in February, 2004.

 

The donation includes several desks, chairs, file cabinets, work tables, conference room furniture, storage cabinets, shelving, portable fabric partitions, and various other items.

 

Company officials have emphasized that the claims office changes will not affect State Farm Insurance agency operations or products. The consolidation of some offices by State Farm is made possible by advances in technology and changes in claims workflow processes.  Officials for the insurer say that gains in operating efficiencies are helping State Farm plan for its long-term commitment to its customers in Arkansas and the nation.  Officials at State Farm point to its winning the JD Power Award for Auto Collision Repair - Customer Service Satisfaction in 2003, as evidence of the positive impact of improved technology and service. 

 

State Farm spokesman for Arkansas, Gary Stephenson, said that supporting education is one of the insurer’s strategic community goals.  Stephenson said, “We believe that it’s important to give back to the communities in which we do business, and we’re very pleased that ASU can put this furniture to good use.”

 

State Farm has six agents in Jonesboro, and 180 agents across the state.  State Farm is the largest insurer of autos and homes in Arkansas and in the nation, and is ranked No.18 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies.

 

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