Baldrige winners 2009 announced
Five organisations have been named as the winners of the 2009 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the US’s highest honour for excellence
The winners, announced by US president Barack Obama and US commerce secretary Gary Locke, are:
• Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies, Kansas City (manufacturing)
• MidwayUSA, Columbia (small business)
• AtlantiCare, Egg Harbor Township (healthcare)
• Heartland Health, St Joseph (healthcare)
• VA Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center, Albuquerque (non-profit)
Barack Obama said: ‘The road to greatness in America has been, and always will be, travelled by those who embrace change and work hard every day to be the best; the organisations we honour today with the Baldrige National Quality Award exemplify that spirit.
‘This year's recipients have shown how quality, innovation, and an unending quest for excellence help strengthen our nation and brighten the future of all Americans.’
The Baldrige National Quality Program was established and named after the 26th secretary of commerce in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of US businesses. It is based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, a guide to help organisations improve their operations.
More than 70 organisations applied for the award this year. Each applicant received 300-1,000 hours of review and an onsite visit by a team of experts. Evaluated business areas include leadership, strategic planning and analysis and knowledge management.