Nestlé Purina PetCare of St. Louis received a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in late November. Named after the 26th secretary of commerce, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizes performance excellence among the nation’s manufacturers, small businesses, educational organizations and health care facilities. Nestlé Purina is the first consumer packaged goods company and first pet food manufacturer to receive the award. “The passion that Nestlé Purina employees and associates extend to enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them is directly responsible for our designation as one of the country’s leading and most innovative businesses,” said Nestlé Purina’s CEO Pat McGinnis. Award applicants were evaluated by an independent board of examiners in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results. The evaluation process for each of the recipients included about 1,000 hours of review and an on-site visit by a team of examiners to clarify questions and verify information in the applications. Nestlé Purina is one of seven companies to receive the 2010 award. This year’s recipients also include Medrad, Warrendale, Pa.; Freese and Nichols Inc., Fort Worth, Texas; K&N Management, Austin, Texas; Studer Group, Gulf Breeze, Fla.; Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, Ill.; and Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Md. Nestlé Purina and the other 2010 Baldrige Award recipients are expected to be presented with their awards in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. next year. <Home>
