Plantronics Manufacturing Facility Wins International Asia Pacific Quality Award

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Plantronics, Inc. today announced that its Plantronics Mexico (PLAMEX) manufacturing plant has won the International Asia Pacific Quality Award for Big Manufacturing Organizations. The award recognizes PLAMEX's long-standing commitment to total quality management (TQM) through planning and programs that encourage customer satisfaction, employee empowerment, and social and environmental responsibility.

Following an extensive evaluation, PLAMEX was awarded the Asia Pacific Quality Award after receiving high scores in each of the categories in which companies are judged: leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement and analysis, knowledge management, human resource focus, process management, and business results. Only companies that have won Quality Awards at a national level are eligible to apply for the International Asia Pacific Awards. In 2004, PLAMEX won Mexico's National Quality Award for its achievements in quality and business results.

"Since PLAMEX opened in 1972, we've continually sought to create a work environment that fosters the highest levels of quality, employee involvement and social responsibility," said Alejandro Bustamante, president of PLAMEX. "To be recognized with this award in such a highly competitive field truly reinforces the outstanding accomplishments and commitment of all 3,600 associates at PLAMEX."

The International Asia Pacific Quality Award is given by the Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO), a non-profit organization dedicated to achieving continuous quality improvement of goods and services, and quality of life for people, around the world. The governing body of APQO includes representatives from Australia, China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, United States, Singapore, Canada, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Peru, South Africa, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, England, Taiwan and Vietnam.

PLAMEX -- A Legacy of Quality

Plantronics Mexico associates are trained to prevent problems by proposing solutions to any potential risks they identify. Everyone contributes to quality processes to increase customer satisfaction, minimize rework, reduce cost, maintain production output and uphold product excellence. PLAMEX enjoys one of the industry's lowest turnover rates because of its extensive employee benefits, including career development, family programs, child care, educational programs, medical care and housing assistance. PLAMEX's 3,600 associates contribute to Plantronics' worldwide success by manufacturing more than 8,000 different models of headset products.

The facility is ISO 9002-2000 certified and has received numerous awards and commendations for its excellence in environmental matters, community work, customer satisfaction and work safety. Previous awards include the Federal Ministry of Labor's Safe Industry Certificate, Baja California Quality Award 2001 ("Best Maquiladora Company") and the PROFEPA/CNIME Environmental Award (EPA/National Maquiladora Council).

About Plantronics

In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic first words from the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Since then, we've become the headset of choice for mission-critical applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and the New York Stock Exchange. Today, this history of Sound Innovation(TM) is the basis for every product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential markets. The Plantronics family of brands includes Plantronics, Altec Lansing, Clarity, and Volume Logic. For more information, go to http://www.plantronics.com/ or call 800-544-4660.

Contact: Dan Race of Plantronics, Inc., +1-831-458-7005, or dan.race@plantronics.com; or Joanna Andrade of Porter Novelli, +1-408-369-4620, or joanna.andrade@porternovelli.com, for Plantronics, Inc.