Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank presented four U.S. organizations with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for organizational performance excellence and innovation. The recipients of the award, which is commemorating its 25th anniversary, will share their best practices as part of a national effort to improve America’s performance and competitive standing in the world.
Deputy Secretary Blank lauded the Baldrige Award winners for being leaders in their fields and committed to the value of performance and quality. Studies have shown that Baldrige winners grow their revenues, create jobs, maintain healthy finances, and produce superior results.
At the awards ceremony, President Obama also delivered a video message to the recipients, saying that the United States’ “free market is the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known, and that engine is powered by our dreamers, our risk takers and our innovators.” Further, he said, “These honorees exhibit the kind of job creating innovation that’s always kept our economy growing and vibrant and prosperous.”
Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th Secretary of Commerce, believed that high performance, quality and innovation have always been key drivers of the U.S. economy. Balridge inspired business owners and public servants across the country to strive for excellence, and in 1987, Congress honored his legacy by establishing the Baldrige Awards to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. businesses. Now in its 25th year, the Baldrige Awards have since been expanded to recognize excellence in three other categories as well: education, health care, and nonprofit organizations. Since 1987, the program has recognized 93 American companies and organizations for outstanding performance.
The 2012 Baldrige Award winners are:
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas (manufacturing)
- MESA, Tulsa, Okla. (small business)
- North Mississippi Health Services, Tupelo, Miss. (health care)
- City of Irving, Irving, Texas (nonprofit)
These four winners are among the many outstanding U.S. companies and organizations that are strengthening the American economy and building a successful future.
Additional information on the Baldrige Award, the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, and profiles of the 2012 Award recipients is available at www.nist.gov/baldrige.
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