President
Clinton and Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta today
announced two manufacturers, a water treatment company,
and a bank as winners of the 2000
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's
premier award for performance excellence and quality achievement.
The
winners are: Dana
Corporation-Spicer Driveshaft Division, Toledo, Ohio
(manufacturing); KARLEE
Company, Inc., Garland, Texas (manufacturing); Operations
Management International, Inc., Greenwood Village, Colo.
(service); and Los
Alamos National Bank, Los Alamos, N.M. (small business).
"President
Clinton and I congratulate the men and women of these four
organizations that we have named today as the 2000 recipients
of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. As the first
group of winners in the 21st century, they exemplify the
Baldrige themes of excellence, global competitiveness, partnerships,
empowerment, innovation and life-long learning. They can
proudly serve as role models for any organization wanting
to improve the way they operate," said Mineta.
This
is the first time that a water treatment company and a bank
have received a Baldrige Award.
The
companies are expected to receive their awards in a ceremony
in Washington, D.C., later this year.
The
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is given to U.S.
organizations that have shown achievements and improvements
in seven areas: leadership, strategic planning, customer
and market focus, information and analysis, human resource
focus, process management and business results.
All
applicants for the Baldrige Award undergo a rigorous examination
process that takes from 300 to 1,000 hours. Applications
are reviewed by an independent board of about 400 examiners
primarily from the private sector. Each applicant receives
a report citing strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Named
after a former Secretary of Commerce, the Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award was established by Congress in 1987
to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses by promoting
quality awareness, recognizing the quality and performance
achievements of U.S. organizations, and publicizing successful
performance strategies. In 1999, new categories for education
and health care were established. The award is not given
for specific products or services. Since 1988, 41 organizations
have received a Baldrige Award.
The
Baldrige program is managed by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of
the Department of Commerce's
Technology Administration,
in conjunction with the private sector.
As a
non-regulatory agency of the U.S.
Department of Commerce's Technology
Administration, NIST
strengthens the U.S. economy and improves the quality of
life by working with industry to develop and apply technology,
measurements and standards through four partnerships: the
Baldrige National
Quality Program, the Measurement
and Standards Laboratories, the Advanced
Technology Program and the Manufacturing
Extension Partnership.
NOTE
TO REPORTERS: The White House statement on the 2000
Baldrige Award winners is available at www.nist.gov/public_affairs/baldrige00/whstatement.htm.
Further information and photos are also available by contacting
the Baldrige Award winners' contacts.
Winners of the 2000 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award
Following
is brief information and contacts for each of the winners
of the 2000 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
Dana
Corporation-Spicer Driveshaft Division
Dana Corporation-Spicer Driveshaft Division is North America's
largest, independent manufacturer and marketer of driveshafts
and related components for light, medium, heavy duty, and
off-highway vehicles. With its group headquarters in Toledo,
Ohio, Spicer Driveshaft has 17 manufacturing, assembly,
and administrative facilities around the United States,
including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan,
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia,
and Washington. Spicer Driveshaft products also are manufactured
and distributed around the world by a global network of
strategically located Dana affiliates and subsidiaries to
offer just-in-time delivery to its customers. Spicer Driveshaft
has a workforce of more than 3,400 employees. In 1999, Spicer
Driveshaft generated more than $740 million in sales, accounting
for approximately 6 percent of Dana's total sales.
Contact: Kelly
Moore, Marketing Communications Manager, (419) 866-2638
KARLEE
Company
KARLEE Company is a contract manufacturer of precision sheet
metal and machined components for the telecommunications,
semiconductor, and medical equipment industries. It provides
a full range of manufacturing services from initial component
design to assembled, integrated products. Founded in 1974
out of a garage, KARLEE's success is based on its commitment
to excellence, team leadership, and faith-based values.
KARLEE is a woman-owned business located in Garland, Texas,
and has 550 team members.
Contact: David Briggs,
Vice President, (972) 543-3043
Operations
Management International, Inc.
Headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colo., Operations Management
International, Inc., operates and maintains more than 160
public and private-sector wastewater and water treatment
facilities in 29 states and facilities in Brazil, Canada,
Egypt, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, and Thailand.
OMI's primary services are processing raw wastewater to
produce clean, environmentally safe effluent and processing
raw groundwater and surface water to produce clean, safe
drinking water. Ninety-four percent of its customers are
public, including cities and counties; 5 percent are industrial;
and 1 percent are international. A private company owned
by its employees, OMI is a member of the CH2M HILL family
of companies. OMI's 1,394 associates include facility operators,
mechanics, and laboratory technicians.
Contact: Susan Mays,
Corporate Communications Manager, (303) 268-4280
Los
Alamos National Bank
Los Alamos National Bank is an independent community bank
that provides a full range of financial services to the
consumer, commercial, and government markets in northern
and central New Mexico. With assets of $650 million, LANB
has 167 employees and locations in Los Alamos, White Rock,
and Santa Fe.
Contact: Linda Dissinger,
Marketing Officer, (505) 662-1037
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