Contact: Jan Kosko, janice.kosko@nist.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NIST 97-11
April 22, 1997
Contact: Jan Kosko TWENTY-SIX U.S.
(301) 975-2767 BUSINESSES TRY FOR 1997
janice.kosko@nist.gov BALDRIGE QUALITY AWARD
Twenty-six U.S. companies, including nine large manufacturers,
seven service companies and 10 small businesses, have submitted
applications for the 1997 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the
nation's premier award for business excellence and quality achievement.
Managed by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards
and Technology in cooperation with the private sector, the Baldrige
Award has received 648 applications since the first competition was held
in 1988. Twenty-eight companies--14 large manufacturers, six service
companies and eight small businesses--in a wide variety of industries
have won the award.
Many companies believe that applying for the award is beneficial,
whether they win or not. "The Baldrige application process itself is an
investment in future success that every American company should be
making," says Bruce Woolpert, president and chief executive officer,
Granite Rock Company, a 1992 small business winner.
During the upcoming months, each of the 26 Baldrige Award applications
will receive a minimum of 300 hours of review by at least 10 members of
the award's board of 328 business and quality experts selected for their
depth and breadth of knowledge. Companies passing initial screening will
be visited by a team of examiners in September to verify information
provided in the application and to clarify issues and questions raised
during the review of the applications. Every applicant receives an
extensive feedback report highlighting strengths and areas to improve.
Winners of the 1997 award will be announced in the fall.
The Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 not only to
recognize individual U.S. companies for their quality achievements but
also to promote quality awareness and to provide information on
successful quality strategies. Over time, the award's criteria have
evolved to represent a general performance and business excellence
model. More than a million copies have been distributed since 1988.
Studies by NIST, universities, business organizations and the U.S.
General Accounting Office have found that the benefits for companies
using performance excellence models, such as the Baldrige Award
criteria, include increased productivity, improved profitability and
competitiveness, and satisfied employees and customers.
"The Baldrige Award is good for American business," says David Lowe,
chief executive officer of ADAC Laboratories, a 1996 winner. "The award
is invaluable because it comprehensively lays out a set of ideas that
most companies agree they should strive for, but most, in fact, do not.
Those companies that adhere to the criteria ... have a sustainable
competitive advantage over those that do not," says Lowe.
While the awards are the centerpiece of the Baldrige program, the
overall goal is much broader, according to Harry Hertz, director of the
National Quality Program. "With state and local organizations we are
building a quality network to encourage all U.S. companies to improve
their overall performance and capabilities," he says.
In 1991, fewer than 10 state and local quality awards existed. Now, more
than 40 awards are in place in 38 states. In 1996, these award programs
received 804 applications; 230 more than the 574 submitted in 1995.
Also, within the past several years, more than 25 international quality
awards have been established, including the new Japan Quality Award.
Most are modeled after the Baldrige Award.
A non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department's Technology
Administration, NIST promotes U.S. economic growth by working with
industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards.
NIST was selected by Congress to design and manage the award program
because of its role in helping U.S. companies compete, its
world-renowned expertise in measurement, and its reputation as an
impartial third party. This August marks the 10th anniversary of the
legislation establishing the Baldrige Award.
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Contacts: Bruce Woolpert can be reached at (408) 768-2000; David Lowe
can be reached at (408) 321-9100. Others are available by contacting Jan
Kosko at (301) 975-2767, .