Connecticut Manufacturing Facility Recognized for Third Consecutive Year for Increasing Customer Value Through Operational Excellence

IRVINE, Calif., October 16, 2008–HID Global, the trusted leader in providing solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced that its North Haven, Connecticut manufacturing facility has been awarded the 2008 Shingo Prize Bronze Medallion for Operational Excellence Business Program. The award serves as recognition of HID Global’s ongoing commitment to the principles of Lean manufacturing, including the effective implementation of the systems, tools, techniques and technologies as the company works towards transforming into a world-class organization.

“We are honored to have earned the prestigious Shingo Bronze Medallion,” said Paul Murphy, Director of Operations, Americas, HID Global. “Over the past four years, our company and its employees have undertaken the transformation from a traditional working environment to a team dedicated to creating customer value throughout all levels of the organization. We are humbled by our employees’ ongoing efforts to further adopt Lean principles and we value their commitment to implementing best practices and creating a culture of continuous improvement.”

2008 represents the third consecutive year that HID Global has been recognized for this Lean manufacturing award, and this is the first year the company has been awarded on a national scale. The company previously received the 2007 Connecticut Gold Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing and the 2006 Connecticut Silver Shingo for World Class Leadership and Culture. By focusing on the principles of Lean manufacturing, HID’s management team has been able to strategically define organizational priorities and better utilize the communications channels to convey the mission and goals to all levels throughout the organization.

“Our organization is about empowering our employees to challenge traditional business concepts and look at new methods for solving problems,” said John Uliano, director of Lean Implementation, HID Global. “Ultimately, we look to our employees to suggest process improvements and drive efficiencies that will help to further streamline our operations and increase productivity. These tactics are imperative for our company to become a world-class organization.”

“Everyone at HID is commended for producing a culture of operational excellence,” said Steve Wagner, senior vice president and chief operating officer, HID Global. “We will continue to improve our culture and are dedicated to Lean to help us create value for our customers.”

The Shingo Award, called the “Nobel Prize of Manufacturing” by Business Week, is recognized as the premier award for operational excellence in North America. For 20 years, the Shingo Prize has educated, assessed and recognized operational excellence in outstanding companies. Named in honor of the late Dr. Shigeo Shingo, the award criterion touches all facets of an organization’s operations and provides companies with a blueprint for attaining world class manufacturing excellence by focusing on Customer Satisfaction and Profitability; Quality; Cost and Delivery; Core Operations and Leadership and Empowerment Enablers.

About HID Global

HID Global is the trusted, worldwide leader in providing solutions for the delivery of Secure Identity. The company is focused on creating customer value with product, service and know-how solutions for access and identification-related applications. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 2,000 employees worldwide supporting customers in more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand.

® HID and the HID logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HID Global in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, and product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact

Patti Juric
MarComm Copywriter/Global Media Relations
HID Global
Phone: 949.732.2054
Cell: 949.521.2987
Fax: 949.732.2150
Email: pjuric@hidglobal.com
http://www.hidglobal.com