WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Postmaster General John E. Potter
today recognized eight companies the United States Postal Service considers
"the best of the best" in supplying its employees with the equipment, tools
and services they need to deliver superior products and services to the
American public.
"It is the hard work and innovative spirit all of you bring to the table
that allows us to add value to our services, to find new ways to improve
efficiency, and to reduce our costs and yours," Potter told key executives of
the award-winning companies during a ceremony at Postal Service headquarters.
"You have worked with us to introduce new ideas, new practices, and new
procedures that ultimately result in higher quality products and services."
Keith Strange, Vice President of Supply Management for the U.S. Postal
Service, said that thanks to the work of all Quality Supplier Award winners --
and the Postal Service Supply Management team -- the Postal Service saved or
avoided some $620 million in costs this past year.
"Working together, we have set a higher standard of performance and
excellence that continues to change and reconfigure the way we manage our
supply chain and improve our supplier relationships," said Strange. "You have
helped us reduce costs and improve service, while finding newer and smarter
ways to improve the services and products you provide."
According to Strange, purchasing supplies and materials is no small task.
In fiscal year 2004, the Postal Service spent more than $12 billion for
transportation, facilities, supplies, services, and equipment with a supplier
base that included more than 25,000 suppliers. Each supplier recognized is
one of only eight companies receiving a Quality Supplier Award this year.
The eight 2004 "Supplier and Best Practices" Quality Supplier Award
winners are:
Boise Cascade Office Products of Itasca, IL
(Provides office supplies to Postal Service facilities nationwide)
"We are honored to be selected as a recipient of the Postal Service's
Quality Supplier Award. Your recognition underscores our ongoing commitment
to driving value for our customers in support of the Postal Service Supply
Chain Management initiative. We look forward to building upon our successful
partnership and further growing our relationship and positive outcomes with
the Postal Service."
-- Chris Milliken, Chief Executive Officer, OfficeMax, a Boise Company
ConEdison Solutions of White Plains, NY
(Energy Services)
"As one of the United States Postal Service's largest providers of energy
services, ConEdison Solutions is proud to be recognized for helping to deliver
significant energy savings for hundreds of Postal Service locations. The U.S.
Postal Service is one of our charter customers, and it has long recognized
that innovative energy technology delivers significant returns on investment,
while promoting energy independence, protecting the environment, and creating
a customer-friendly atmosphere. ConEdison Solutions looks forward to
continuing our partnership with the Postal Service."
-- JoAnn F. Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer
Maritz Research of Fenton, MO
(Provides mystery shoppers to measure customer service)
"We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the United States
Postal Service. We are proud to have a strong partnership with this great
organization. This award symbolizes our commitment to not only delivering the
highest quality research, but also adding value as we help our clients achieve
their business potential."
-- Michael Brereton, President
MSC Industrial Supply Company of Melville, NY
(Provides maintenance, repair, and operating products via eBuy catalog)
"MSC's mission is clear -- to be the best Industrial Distributor in the
world as measured by our associates, customers, owners, and suppliers. We are
thrilled to be awarded the Quality Supplier Award from the U.S. Postal
Service, as it is a clear indication that our customers see us carrying out
our mission. We greatly value our relationship with the postal community, and
anticipate great progress going forward as we work together to more
effectively manage our mutual supply chain. This award is deeply appreciated
by our company and I am confident it will inspire our organization to reach
new levels of excellence."
-- David Sandler, President
Northrop Grumman Security Systems of Elkridge, MD
(Designed and built the automated Biohazard Detection System)
"Northrop Grumman is honored to receive its second U.S. Postal Service
Quality Supplier Award. This award recognizes the contributions of employees
at Northrop Grumman and the Postal Service, and the results that can be
achieved from a strong partnership, whether in the deployment of bio-detection
systems or in advanced mail processing technology."
-- Vicki Spira, Vice President
Northrop Grumman Automation and Information Systems
Ricoh Corporation of West Caldwell, NJ
(Provides copiers and related services)
"Ricoh is honored to be a recipient of the 2004 United States Postal
Service Quality Supplier Award. It is highly committed to delivering the best
document management products and solutions that enhance the proficiency of
customers' business operations. Ricoh is dedicated to its joint efforts with
the United States Postal Service and together we have been devoted to the
common goal of instilling efficient business practices and providing an
improved customer experience. We at Ricoh are delighted to be recognized for
our hard work and dedication to supplying quality products to the United
States Postal Service and look forward to future endeavors and building on our
business relationship."
-- Thomas Salierno, President, Ricoh U.S.
Siemens Dematic Postal Automation L.P. of Arlington, TX
(Developed DIOSS EC - Delivery Bar Code Sorter I/O Subsystem Expanded
Capability)
"Siemens is honored by the Postal Service's recognition and we share the
commitment to the success of the DIOSS EC program. The DIOSS EC is based on
the proven DBCS machine platform, the current workhorse of Postal Service
letter mail processing. This directly supports Postal Service goals to
standardize equipment and processes throughout the network. Siemens is adding
a range of capabilities and improvements into this machine, enabling greatly
improved productivity in letter mail processing for the future. Besides the
new technology, the Postal Service and Siemens have used a new, cooperative
program management approach on this program, the Parallel Path Evaluation. It
benefited both organizations because it established a level of predictability
and trust that allowed Siemens, for example, to make investments in the
stacker modification that accelerated deployments six months ahead of
schedule. This in turn provided the Postal Service with several million
dollars in additional savings in this current year."
-- Heribert Stumpf, Executive Vice President
Siemens Logistics and Assembly Systems, Inc.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. of Lake Forest, IL
(Provider of custodial products and services for Postal Service facilities
nationwide)
"Grainger is extremely proud to receive the U.S. Postal Service Quality
Supplier Award for the second year in a row. The Postal Service works hard to
deliver the mail. Grainger works hard by supplying the products the Postal
Service needs to maintain more than 40,000 post office facilities across the
country. Our partnership means that the Postal Service can reduce its costs
and keep the price of mailing a letter anywhere in the United States
affordable. I accept the award on behalf of all the Grainger employees who
help the Postal Service achieve this goal."
-- James T. Ryan, Grainger Group President
SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
Web Site: http://www.usps.com
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