WALTER USA RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREPAREDNESS.

WALTER USA, INC., OF PEWAUKEE, WI, WAS PRESENTED WITH THE HPR AWARD (Highly Protected Risk Award). WALTER USA is only one of two facilities worldwide that received a perfect score of 93 during a recent FM Global audit. The audit focused on Risk Control, Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response Plans, Safety/Health programs and overall housekeeping.

WALTER USA, has been focused on achieving world class status by improving their quality, environmental and health/ safety standards for a number of years. In 2005, WALTER developed a goal for continual improvement objectives, and created a program in line with ISO standard requirements. A gauge calibration system was initiated, quality metrics were developed, audits of processes began, and quality training took place. The results of these initiatives culminated in achieving certification to ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Management System) in 2006. In 2007, Walter USA, Inc. continued to improve its Quality program, and received 250 out of 260 maximum points (96%) during an internal audit performed by its German parent company.

Walter USA, Inc. began being recognized for its environmental efforts during numerous internal audits, and was certified in August, 2006 to the ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System) by a DQS auditor from Chicago, IL.

WALTER continues improving its environmental program and commitment to the safety of employees in the manufacturing area: by monitoring all elements of the environment, testing air quality, monitoring noise levels, and reducing machine emissions.

Additionally, in 2006, a safety and security system was installed that addresses intrusion concerns, fire potential, environmental spills, and unsafe weather conditions. A cross-functional safety committee was formed to meet on a monthly basis, and it addresses safety concerns of employees, pursuing preventative actions to avoid accidents, and performing quarterly safety audits of the office and factory.

Safety suggestion boxes have been placed in numerous locations throughout the plant, so all safety suggestions or problems can be acted upon immediately to eliminate the potential for future accidents or injuries.

Three employees (Carol Raether, Akhtar Khan and Allen Rothman) have been trained as first responders, and have been equipped with the necessary equipment and knowledge to respond to any health or safety emergency. In 2007, Walter USA, Inc. will be pursuing certification to the OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) 18001:1999 system.

"Thanks to the concern and caring nature of our employees, the safety suggestion boxes continue to be used and are a great source for accident prevention. Safety is the responsibility of everyone, and I am fortunate to have the commitment of our management team and employee base to continue making our safety program a benchmark for other industries," says Allen C. Rothman, Quality Manager Assurance/Environmental Health & Safety for WALTER USA, Inc.