Quality Chekd Dairies Honors Hiland Dairy with Two Prestigious Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Sarah Lake (402) 558-0637
Springfield, Mo. – April 16, 2010 – Hiland Dairy Foods Company took the top Quality Chekd honors in dairy excellence and plant performance at the 2010 QCS Leadership Conference as the recipient of the Irving B Weber Distinguished Award for Quality Excellence and the Gingrich Award for Production Excellence. Quality Chekd is a member-owned organization of independent dairy processors. The QCS Leadership conference was held April 11 – 13 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Texas.
Irving B Weber Award
Hiland Dairy Foods Company of Springfield, Mo. was the 2010 recipient of the Irving B. Weber Distinguished Award for Quality Excellence. In recognition for earning the highest scores of all Quality Chekd members in customer satisfaction, production quality, business ethics, leadership, staff development and marketing communications, Hiland was awarded a distinctive trophy and $25,000 check for their efforts.
“We are proud to accept the Weber Award on behalf of all our employees,” said Gary Aggus, president of Hiland Dairy. “This award symbolizes our team’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality and the success at all levels of our operation. It motivates us to continue striving for even better results and performance in the future.”
Named for Quality Chekd’s first board president, the Weber Award is modeled after the esteemed Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Peter Horvath, president of Quality Chekd said, “The Irving B. Weber Award is the highest award bestowed upon any member dairy as it encompasses all areas of operation. We applaud the hard work and dedication of everyone at Hiland Dairy, and are proud to count them among our members.”
To be eligible for the Irving B. Weber Award, Quality Chekd member dairies must surpass requirements in each of the following categories: leadership and commitment to total quality improvement; human resource development and management; facility improvement projects; marketing and customer satisfaction programs; inventory efficiencies and loss control programs; and outstanding plant sanitation.
Wayne Gingrich Award
The Hiland Dairy facility in Fort Smith, Ark. was the recipient of the 2010 Wayne Gingrich Award for Production Excellence as the best single production plant within the Quality Chekd membership. Hiland Dairy will have the option of a grandfather clock or $2500 in scholarship monies.
Woody Rogers, general manager of the Hiland Dairy facility said, “We are so proud to receive this award. It is an honor to have the dedication and effort of our team recognized at the national level. Everyone here believes in the importance of quality and this award serves as motivation to continue delivering on our commitment to quality.”
Named in honor of Quality Chekd’s co-founder and first production director, the Gingrich Award selection criteria includes a plant audit and evaluation of its plant’s processes and systems for assuring product quality, and monthly laboratory test scores. Hiland’s Fort Smith facility earned the highest scores for best overall production results and total quality at a single plant location.
“The race for the Gingrich Award is always very competitive as all our members are dedicated to achieving and maintaining top-quality standards,” noted Peter Horvath, president of Quality Chekd. “The Gingrich Award recognizes production excellence and this year Hiland Dairy in Fort Smith, Ark. had another fabulous year.”
# # #
About Hiland Dairy
Hiland Dairy is proud to be farmer-owned by families who are committed to preserving the land and their way of life for future generations. For over 70 years, Hiland Dairy has delivered pure, wholesome milk and dairy products fresh from our farms to your table. Hiland Dairy is a six-plant operation with locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. As a “full-service dairy,” Hiland’s quality products include milk, ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream and dips, half and half, whipping cream, orange juice, butter and cheese. For more information, visit www.hilanddairy.com.
