GTE Selects SUPERIOR ESSEX as 1999 "Supplier of the Year"
Atlanta, GA, March 29, 2000 - Superior TeleCom Inc. (SUT: NYSE), through its <%=company%> Communications Group, announced today that it has received GTE's "Supplier of the Year" award and its "Best in Class" supplier award for outside plant products for 1999. The awards were presented at GTE's annual Suppliers of Excellence ceremonies held in Irving, Texas on March 27th.
As part of GTE's Partners in Quality evaluation process, suppliers are rated on delivery time, competitive pricing, customer service, quality of products and services, and overall value. Using these criteria, 60 "Suppliers of Excellence" are identified from more than a thousand suppliers worldwide who provide products and services to GTE. From this group, 10 are selected as "Best in Class." Only one supplier is selected for the "Supplier of the Year" award.
"GTE's Partners in Quality evaluation process ensures suppliers' top-level commitment to quality," said Larry Henry, president of GTE Supply. "SUPERIOR ESSEX was recognized as a supplier who has consistently helped GTE meet its competitive challenges and thrive in today's dynamic telecommunications market."
"The GTE ‘Supplier of the Year' award marks the second major customer award we have received for 1999 performance," said Justin Deedy, President of SUPERIOR ESSEX Communications Group. " The award is a testament to our Company's mission to be the preferred vendor through superior service, quality and product performance."
Earlier this year, SUPERIOR ESSEX received the "Supplier of Excellence" award from TELUS, the second largest telecommunications company in Canada. This award was given to suppliers who achieved exceptional scores for 1999 performance and quality.
SUPERIOR ESSEX is the marketing name for Superior Telecommunications Inc., a subsidiary of Superior TeleCom Inc., the largest North American wire and cable manufacturer and the fourth largest wire and cable manufacturer in the world. Superior manufactures a broad portfolio of products with primary applications in the communications, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and electrical wire and cable markets. The company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of communications wire and cable products to telephone companies, distributors and system integrators; magnet wire for motors, transformers, generators and electrical controls; and building and industrial wire for applications in construction, appliances, recreational vehicles and industrial facilities. The Company's Web site is at www.superioressex.com.
About GTE
With 1999 revenues of more than $25 billion, GTE is a leading telecommunications provider with one of the industry's broadest arrays of products and services. In the United States, GTE provides local service in 28 states and wireless service in 18 states, as well as nationwide long-distance, directory, and internetworking services ranging from dial-up Internet access for residential and small-business consumers to Web-based applications for Fortune 500 companies. Outside the United States, the company serves customers on five continents. Additional information about GTE can be obtained at http://www.gte.com.