U.S. Postal Service Honors 10 Companies With 2006 Supplier Performance Awards Mailing Systems Technology

Postmaster General John E. Potter today recognized ten companies for their quality products and

excellent customer service in supplying the United States Postal Service with the equipment, materials, and services it needs to deliver superior products and service to the American public. The 2006 Supplier Performance Awards ceremony was held at Postal Service headquarters. "The relationships with our suppliers are among the most important ones we have," said Potter.

"We're using the latest and most innovative technology to simplify, streamline, and improve processes, from top to bottom," Potter added. "And every one of those processes is dependent on the products and services that each of our more than 25,000 suppliers supply us. Their contribution helps us to make a real difference for the nation we serve."

On hand to present the awards was Vice President, Supply Management, Susan Brownell. "The ability of suppliers to deliver quality goods and services on time, while continuously seeking innovative ways to improve their performance, is critical to our success," she said. "While many of our suppliers have contributed to our successes, these Supplier Performance Award winners are exemplary. Together, we've developed collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships and supply-chain-management best practices that will carry forward during 2007 and beyond.

"Working with our key suppliers, we've had remarkable results applying these best practices," added Brownell. "We've learned that new approaches, new tools, and new information continually help our teams rethink what is possible. This strategy has led to more than $808 million in cost benefits to the Postal Service in FY06."

According to Brownell, in FY06, the Postal Service spent more than $15.4 billion for transportation, facilities, supplies, services, and equipment with a supplier base of more than 25,000.

The 2006 Supplier Performance Award winners are:

SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE AWARDS

Eligibility for this award category is reserved for suppliers

designated by the USPS category management centers as "Key Suppliers"

(based on business impact segmentation analysis) that have demonstrated

outstanding supply-chain-management performance and positive business

relationships with the USPS.

Ecolab, Inc., Burlington, N.C.

(Pest management services)

"Our organization is honored to receive the USPS Supplier Performance

Award! We earn your business every day by providing high-quality products,

services, and systems that are safe and reliable. Superior service built

this company and continues to be our central policy and philosophy. We are

pleased to accept this award, and we look forward to working with the

Postal Service as our business partner well into the future."

-- Paul Norman, Vice President Sales

Pest Elimination Division

Grainger, Lake Forest, Ill.

(Maintenance, repair, and operations supplies and related services)

"Grainger is truly honored to be recognized by the U.S. Postal Service

for our performance as a supplier. We place tremendous value in our

partnership with the USPS. Our employees are committed to helping them find

ways to reduce costs associated with purchasing maintenance, repair and

operating supplies across their more than 38,000 facilities. I am proud of

the success we've had over the years in making the purchasing process more

efficient and cost-effective. We look forward to continuing to partner with

the USPS to identify additional ways to enhance service and reduce costs in

the years ahead."

-- Pat Davidson, Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Hewlett Packard Corporation, Palo Alto, Calif.

(Information technology equipment and services)

"HP is extremely pleased and honored to be recognized with this award.

The U.S. Postal Service is one of HP's most significant customers. We work

closely with them to bring the best technology solutions available to meet

their business needs. This award recognizes our efforts, and we look

forward to contributing to the U.S. Postal Service's transformation in the

future."

-- Jack Novia, Managing Director & Senior Vice President

Technology Solutions Group

Honeywell International, Inc., St. Louis Park, Minn.

(Shared energy services)

"The U.S. Postal Service Supplier Performance Award is a great honor

for Honeywell. The award recognizes the outstanding partnership between

Honeywell and the Postal Service over the past four years. The award

signifies the sharing of common awareness of the need to save energy in all

facilities nationwide."

-- Joseph Puishys, President

Honeywell Building Solutions

SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award category is open to all suppliers (except those designated

as "Key Suppliers" and, therefore, eligible for the Supplier Performance

Award category) that have demonstrated outstanding supply-chain-management

performance and positive business relationships with the USPS.

ABB, Inc., Auburn Hills, Mich.

(Robotic containerization systems)

"ABB is pleased to accept this award. Throughout the execution of the

RCS program, we've focused on working with the United States Postal Service

team to deliver robotic automation that meets the highest quality and

delivery standards in the industry. We appreciate being recognized for our

performance and are proud to be a valued supplier supporting productivity

improvements for mail delivery systems."

-- Kirk Goins, Sr. Vice President

IBM Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.

(Transit time measurement systems)

"IBM is honored to receive the 2006 USPS Supplier Excellence Award. It

reflects the commitment and dedication of over 300 professionals who

provide quality service to the Postal Service on a daily basis. The United

States Postal Service provides a tremendous service to our nation, touching

our citizens six days a week and delivering important communications and

packages that are the lifeblood of our economy. IBM is proud to support the

USPS in delivering on this critical mission.

-- William Takis, Partner

U.S. Stamp & Sign, Cookeville, Tenn.

(Business cards and related services)

"U.S. Stamp & Sign is proud to be a partner of the U.S. Postal Service,

and the recipient of a Supplier Excellence Award. On behalf of all our

dedicated associates, we are very pleased to accept this award, and look

forward to continuing to assist the U.S. Postal Service in finding

innovative ways to more effectively achieve its mission of providing mail

service to the American public."

-- Patrick Spear, President/Chief Operating Officer

Identity Group, LLC

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AWARDS

This award category is open to all suppliers for outstanding efforts in

promoting diversity throughout the supply chain.

Cleanwise, Inc., Marlborough, Mass.

(Custodial products and related services)

"Receiving this award from such a forward thinking industry leader is a

true honor. The USPS has proven that doing the 'right thing' in promoting

diversity among suppliers can also be the best business decision to lower

total costs and improve overall service performance levels. We are very

grateful to have such a collaborative and dynamic partnership with the

USPS."

-- Keith Alsheimer, President & Chief Executive Officer

Grainger, Fairfax, Va.

(Maintenance, repair, & operations products and related services)