Honor given for corporate citizenship, exemplary employment practices, environmental stewardship and innovative business practices
Plantronics
(NYSE: PLT), a global pioneer in audio communications and wearable
technology, today was presented with the 2013
Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) by U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry at a ceremony at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The
award recognizes the company’s achievement in advancing best practices
in employment, environmental stewardship, support of host-country
technology and corporate citizenship at Plantronics’ operations in
Tijuana, Mexico.
In selecting Plantronics as an ACE winner, an interagency committee
chaired by the State Department noted the company’s sophisticated
120-employee design center, partnerships with local colleges and trade
schools to provide work-school collaboration assistance and health care
initiatives. Approximately 2,200 of Plantronics’ 3,500 global employees
work in Mexico.
U.S. Secretaries of State have awarded the ACE since 1999 to recognize
American companies that are leaders in socially responsible activities
and contribute to the overall growth and development of the local
economy in which they work.
"The State Department mission is to create a more secure, democratic and
prosperous world. We can only do what we do with the cooperation of the
private sector. Through innovative business models and investment in
local communities around the world, countless US businesses are markedly
improving the ability of our nation to advance our economic
leadership,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry in his remarks at the
ACE event today. "The premium that Plantronics places on environmental
stewardship alone probably would be enough to earn them the award. But
it’s what they do with their employees that really sets them apart.
Plantronics does not just value their employees; they invest in them in
every way -- in their health, success and their happiness."
“Plantronics recognizes that our ability to consistently provide
innovative products and excellent customer service is only as good as
our people,” said Ken Kannappan, Plantronics president and CEO, in
accepting the award. “Our focus on our people, giving back to our
communities and being responsible stewards of the environment are
central to our identity, our culture and our position as a leader in
audio communications. This in turn allows us to create the remarkable
performance our customers depend on. We do this in Santa Cruz, where we
are headquartered, as well as every location in which we do business. We
are very proud of our team at Plamex, our facility in Tijuana.”
Joining the ceremony via simulcast from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City,
Alejandro Bustamante, Plantronics senior vice president of Worldwide
Operations, said, “Our team in Mexico has done extraordinary work in
finding the right balance in meeting our stakeholders’ and customers’
requirements while creating programs that promote and improve the
quality of life of our associates. Engaging and exciting our employees
means that they in turn generate the productivity and efficiencies our
stockholders expect, building systems and processes that deliver quality
products and services that delight our customers and creating programs
that generate value to our community.”
For the past three years, Plantronics Mexico has been ranked #1 as a
“Great Place to Work” in Mexico by the Great
Place to Work Institute. Here is a sampling of the programs
Plantronics in Mexico has initiated to support employees, the community
and the environment:
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Educational support programs have helped Plantronics Mexico employees
attain more than 2,300 degrees.
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A 120-employee design center for new products, several of which have
won innovation awards at CES.
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Development programs have, the past 5 years, enabled more than 1,000
employees to grow into new roles in the company rather than having to
leave Plantronics to find professional growth opportunities.
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A new 800,000 square foot facility that generates 70 percent of its
own power with the largest private solar installation in Latin
America. The state-of-the-art building has 35-foot-high ceilings,
natural lighting, health services and sports facilities.
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A 13-week anti-drug, alcohol and smoking programs are offered in
conjunction with the Tijuana Police Department; so far these programs
have educated more than 450 children of employees.
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Community volunteerism is highly encouraged. Every year Plantronics
Mexico employees sponsor a local orphanage, visiting children
frequently, helping with their education and organizing group
activities. More than 1,600 kids have benefited from this program.
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Twice a year employees and their families volunteer to participate in
cleaning the Tijuana beaches; over the years more than 1,500
associates have participated in this program.
About Plantronics
Plantronics is a global leader in audio communications for businesses
and consumers. We have pioneered new trends in audio technology for 50
years, creating innovative products that allow people to simply
communicate. From unified communication solutions to Bluetooth®
headsets, we deliver uncompromising quality, an ideal experience, and
extraordinary service. Plantronics is used by every company in the
Fortune 100™, as well as 911 dispatch, air traffic control and the New
York Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.plantronics.com
or call (800) 544-4660.
Plantronics and Simply Smarter Communications are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Plantronics
Genevieve Haldeman, 831-458-7343
genevieve.haldeman@plantronics.com