4 O.C. Firms Win Sterling Awards
A Costa Mesa manufacturer that has taken extraordinary steps to satisfy customers and an Irvine medical group dedicated to employee training were among the recipients of Sterling Awards Wednesday night.
This year’s winners are Emulex Corp. of Costa Mesa, Irvine Medical Center, Mission Pest Control of Laguna Hills and Steelcase Inc. of Tustin. They were honored in a ceremony at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda.
Modeled after the U.S. Commerce Department’s annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards, the Sterling Awards are designed to promote quality and performance among Orange County companies and organizations.
Emulex Corp., a Costa Mesa computer products manufacturer, received accolades in the large manufacturing company category for a comprehensive customer satisfaction program.
The Sterling Council, which presented the awards, also noted that the employee turnover rate at Emulex is considerably lower than the industry average. The company’s 200 employees have monthly informal lunches with executives.
The Irvine Medical Center, which was honored in the large service organization category, drew praise for quality employee training and merit programs. The medical group’s mission statement for its 461 employees emphasizes quality improvement and staff communication.
Mission Pest Control, winner in the small service company category, was recognized for a rigorous performance evaluation program, in which all 42 employees, including the president, are critiqued by fellow staff members.
Steelcase, a 900-employee Tustin office furniture manufacturer, also won an award in the large manufacturing company category. Steelcase guarantees that the company will repair or replace any defective product, part or component free of charge, for the original owner.
The winners were selected from 15 businesses and organizations in Orange County.
The Sterling Council was founded in 1991 by the KPMG Peat Marwick, The Times Orange County Edition, and UC Irvine’s Graduate School of Management.
