News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 18, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Presents Two Washington State Quality Awards

Gov. Gary Locke has presented the Washington State Quality Award to two companies for improving their efficiency and performance.

Locke presented the 2001 awards last week in Olympia to Dri-Eaz Products, Inc., of Burlington, Wash., and NAVSEA Keyport, a division of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, in Keyport, Wash.

The Washington State Quality Award, established as a non-profit organization in 1994, sets standards of excellence that help business, education, health care, non-profits and government develop practices to improve the products and services they provide.

The criteria for the award are based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, named after the former U.S. Secretary of Commerce who was credited with making the federal government operate more efficiently.

“It’s very important that we acknowledge companies that are working hard to improve their performance,” Locke said. “Just as we’re making progress in operating government more efficiently, these businesses are serving as great examples in the private sector.”

Any public, private or not-for-profit organization in the state may apply for the Washington State Quality Award. They must show measurable improvements in performance, such as increased sales or profits, improved customer satisfaction or reduced turnaround time.

Dri-Eaz Products, Inc., which employs approximately 120 people, provides solutions for drying and restoring water-damaged buildings.

NAVSEA Keyport has about 2,000 employees. Its mission is to provide the Navy with operationally superior and affordable ships, systems and military weapons.


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