Plantronics Manufacturing Facility Achieves Unprecedented Worldwide Recognition

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Plantronics, Inc. today announced that its manufacturing facility in Mexico, PLAMEX, has won the 2005 Ibero American Quality Award for Big Manufacturing Organizations. After receiving top honors at the Asia-Pacific Quality Award last month, PLAMEX is now the only manufacturing facility in the world to win both of the prestigious international awards for Big Organizations. PLAMEX also won Mexico's National Quality Award in December 2004.

"Quality has been a driving force within Plantronics' culture since the company was founded more than 40 years ago," said Ken Kannappan, president and CEO of Plantronics. "Regardless of the application, whether it be products, customer service or employee development, Plantronics will continue to lead total quality management innovation because it translates into delighted customers, partners and employees and business success."

Following an extensive evaluation process and site visit by several international experts, PLAMEX was awarded the Ibero American Quality Award for receiving high marks in leadership, strategic planning, personnel development, resource management (financials, information and knowledge, technology, and procurement), customer and market focus, environmental impact, and business results. PLAMEX was also recognized for creating value for its customers, personnel and the community.

PLAMEX was considered among various types of manufacturing companies in countries around the world, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Together with the Asia-Pacific Quality Award, PLAMEX was evaluated with companies from more than 40 countries.

"PLAMEX is very proud to receive the honor of the Ibero American Quality Award on behalf of its associates, who have joined together to create and nurture a culture of excellence and empowerment that sets us apart," said Alejandro Bustamante, president of PLAMEX. "This award truly reinforces the outstanding accomplishments and commitment to total quality management of our 3,600 team members."

The Ibero American Quality Award is given by FUNDIBEQ (Ibero American Foundation for Quality Management), a non-profit organization whose mission is "to promote the overall management of quality as a safe path towards sustainable progress and social welfare and as an instrument which generates the necessary trust that allows the mutual acknowledgement and free movement of products and services."

PLAMEX - A Legacy of Quality

Plantronics' associates in Mexico 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.

Contacts: Dan Race Mara Ritti Plantronics, Inc. Porter Novelli for Plantronics, Inc. 831-458-7005 415-975-2277 dan.race@plantronics.com mara.ritti@porternovelli.com