Welch Allyn climbs to #35 rank in "The Best Companies to Work For" in Mexico list

For the second consecutive year, The Gestion de Negocios named Welch Allyn, a leading global manufacturer of frontline medical products and solutions, to its list of "The Best Companies to Work For" in Mexico, the country's most comprehensive study of workplace culture. This year's ranking represented a leap of 42 spots, as the company moved from #77 in 2009 to #35 this year—a significant accomplishment for the Welch Allyn de Mexico factory that has only been in operation since 2006. The company won the award in the United States in 2005 and received back-to-back honors in Ireland in 2008 and 2009.

“We are again honored to have a place on such a prestigious list, and we salute the team effort of our employees in Mexico”

"After receiving last year's award, we set a goal to break into the top 50," said Dana Collins, plant manager, Welch Allyn de Mexico. "We've accomplished that—and moved up 42 spots in the process. Here in Tijuana, we are continually striving to make sure our employees understand that their contributions are valued in the workplace. This designation is solid evidence that our employees appreciate their work environment and see our continued efforts to maintain a high degree of employee satisfaction in our facility."

The study conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute Mexico identified the top organizations that foster employee relationships based on trust, pride and enjoyment. Organizations are selected primarily on the basis of a Trust Index ™--confidential employee surveys that rate the employer on approximately 70 elements related to credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. In addition, the company must complete a Culture Audit, through open-ended responses, that explores the company's philosophy, human resource practices, employee communication, recognition programs, diversity efforts and more. New in 2010 was a random telephone survey, where employees were contacted at home to confidentially answer questions about their work environment.

"We are again honored to have a place on such a prestigious list, and we salute the team effort of our employees in Mexico," said Welch Allyn President and CEO, Julie Shimer. "It is a true reflection of the workplace culture that exists at Welch Allyn—not only in Mexico but in every location around the globe—and represents our commitment to effectively communicating and staying connected to our employees around the world."

With 480 employees with skills ranging from management and engineering to office support and manufacturing, the Tijuana facility is a maquiladora factory strategically located closest to the company's largest market, the United States. This allows the company to produce goods at a lower cost and without disrupting supply to current customers. Tijuana is home to a very talented workforce that is familiar with Lean manufacturing and qualified to work under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

The Great Place to Work Institute manages the application process in Mexico for the Gestion de Negocios as it does in the United States for Fortune magazine and in Ireland for the Irish Independent, where Welch Allyn also has received recognition as one of the "50 Best Companies to Work For." More information on the Great Place to Work Institute is available at www.greatplacetowork.com.

SOURCE Welch Allyn

www.welchallyn.com