Nestlé Purina Receives Nation's Highest Quality Award

Nestlé Purina Receives Nation's Highest Quality Award

November 23, 2010

Nestlé Purina Receives Nation's Highest Quality Award

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is proud to announce that President Barack Obama and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke have named the Company as a 2010 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (release available at www.nist.gov/baldrige/ ).

This prestigious award recognizes organizations that show consistent excellence in the areas of leadership; customer and market focus; strategic planning; process management; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; and results.

By receiving the Baldrige Award, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company becomes:

the first consumer packaged goods company ever to receive the Award; and
the first pet food manufacturer to receive the Award.

In addition, out of 83 applicants, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is one of only seven companies to receive the award this year. And prior to the 2010 group, only 80 organizations had received Baldrige Awards.

“The passion that Nestlé Purina 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 innovative businesses,” said Pat McGinnis, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Purina.

Named after the 26th Secretary of Commerce, the Malcolm Baldrige Award was established in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. organizations. The Award raises awareness about performance excellence in the U.S. and global economy, provides organizational assessment tools and criteria, educates business leaders about best class practices and recognizes national role models. It is the only Presidential Award for performance excellence.

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.

Nestlé Purina PetCare, a global leader in the pet care industry, promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. Part of Swiss-based Nestle' S.A., the world's largest food company, Nestlé Purina PetCare's North American headquarters is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Mo.

For additional information, contact Keith Schopp, Vice President, Public Relations, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, at (314) 982-2577.