Nestlé Purina Earns Nation’s Highest Quality Award

Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. has received a 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the first CPG company and first pet food manufacturer to ever win this award.

The Baldrige 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.

“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, Nestlé Purina CEO.

Nestlé Purina PetCare is one of only seven companies to receive the award this year, out of 83 total applicants. Awards will be presented in a ceremony next year in Washington, D.C.

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.

“This award is unique in that it honors the collective effort of an entire organization that has systematically strived to achieve excellence in all aspects of its work,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “[The] honorees demonstrate how teamwork and a shared vision can lead not only to organizational success but also to nationwide advancements in innovation and economic competitiveness.”

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 in St. Louis.

The full release, including a complete list of award winners, is available at www.nist.gov/baldrige.