Two Manufacturers, a Water Treatment Company and a Bank Win 2000 Baldrige Awards

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 [at] dana.com (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: dbriggs [at] karlee.com (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: smays [at] ch2m.com (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 [at] lanb.com (Linda Dissinger), Marketing Officer, (505) 662-1037