Superior graphite receives industry award

Advanced Battery Technology,  Feb 2001  

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Superior Graphite Co.'s Plant #4 Bedford Park location has received top industry honors for workforce excellence in developing and producing graphite that makes alkaline batteries last longer. During a luncheon ceremony in Chicago, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) congratulated the company for being No. 1 in workforce excellence among a number of small U.S. companies. The award, a crystal trophy and a $10,000 check, recognizes Superior Graphite's team, which developed new graphite that extends alkaline battery life by 31%.

NAM recognized the group for its ingenuity and speed in identifying a market need, developing a product to fill that need, and implementing a production plan.

Superior Graphite president Edward Carney congratulated the Chicago-based Battery Team Manufacturing members for their hard work and dedication. Team production members singled out for their special efforts are: Jim Bruley, Luis Diaz, Roberto Diaz, Denis Murphy, Lino Tijerina, Gabriel Zambrano, Arnulfo Zepeda, and Luis Zepeda.

Other divisions also were recognized for their roles in developing battery-grade graphite, including R&D, production and engineering, materials management and purchasing, accounting, and order entry, sales, and service.

Teams of employees at all U.S. manufacturing firms were eligible for the NAM award. Each team submitted an application detailing the ways they improved an existing process or management activity, such as new product development, implementation of worker safety procedures, cost reduction, customer satisfaction, or plant and equipment maintenance. Examiners from Arthur Andersen reviewed and submitted applications to a panel of independent judges. The panel selected finalists for on-site visits by examiners, then chose large- and small-company winners based on the results of those visits.

Copyright Seven Mountains Scientific, Inc. Feb 2001
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