1991 Ad

Business America, Oct 21, 1991

President Bush announced on Oct. 9 three U.S. electronics firms as the winners of the 1991 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for excellence in quality management. The winners are Solectron Corp. (San Jose, Calif.) and Zytec Corp. (Eden Prairie, Minn.) in the manufacturing category, and Marlow Industries (Dallas, Tex.) in the small business category.

"As President Bush has said, 'The renewed spirit of excellence in business, of making quality an integral part of America's corporate strategy, has truly made us more competitive in the international arena," Commerce Secretary Robert A. Mosbacher said.

"With lots of hard work, determination, and a passion for excellence, the winners of this award are leading the way to a more competitive America. That's especially important as more U.S. business discover that it makes sense to export, and that they need to be more quality-conscious and quality-capable than ever before," Mosbacher added.

The award, named for the late Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige, was established by legislation in August 1987 to raise awareness about quality management and to recognize U.S. companies that have a world-class system for managing their operations and people and for satisfying their customers.

The award is not given for specific products or services. However, as part of the award process, an applicant must describe its company's methods for assuring the quality of goods and services. In addition, applicants provide details on achievements and improvements in six other areas: leadership, information and analysis, strategic quality planning, human resource utilization, quality results, and customer satisfaction.

Firms applying for the award undergo a rigorous evaluation by an independent board of examiners composed of private- and public-sector experts in quality. The examination includes on-site visits for those passing an initial screening.

Solectron Corp., incorporated in 1977, manufactures and assembles electronic equipment and systems. Its customers include makers of computer peripherals and accessories, mainframe mass storage, engineering workstations, and telecommunications and medical equipment. Sales last year were about $265 million. As the nation's second largest public, independent provider of customized, integrated manufacturing services, Solectron employs over 2,200 people working in nine facilities located in San Jose and nearby Milpitas.

Zytec Corp. began operating in January 1984 and started its drive for quality improvement that same summer. The company designs and manufactures electronic power supplies for original equipment manufacturers of computers and electronic office, medical, and testing equipment. The fifth largest U.S. maker of AC to DC power supplies, the company also is the largest power supply repair company in North America. In 1990, product sales totaled $50 million. Its repair operations generated another $5.8 million in revenue. Zytec has 748 employees, 94 at Eden Prairie and 654 at Redwood Falls, Minn.

Incorporated in 1973, Marlow Industries manufactures thermoelectric (TE) coolers -- small solid-state electronic devices that cool, heat, or stabilize the temperature of electronic components. The industry leader in a growing, competitive environment, Marlow Industries has increased its worldwide market share significantly over the past five years as a direct result of its focus on total quality of products and services. Exports account for 15 percent of the company's $12 million in annual sales. Starting out as a five-person operation, this Dallas-based company now employs 160 people.

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an organization of the Commerce Department's Technology Administration, with the active involvement of the private sector. A maximum of two awards may be given annually in each of three categories: large manufacturers, large service companies, and small businesses.

The 1991 winners will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29. The President and Secretary Mosbacher are expected to participate.