Cordis plant in Mexico named 2007 Shingo Prize winner

Cordis Corporation, a worldwide leader in interventional vascular technology, announced February 8 that its facility in Juarez, Mexico, is one of the 12 sites selected to receive the 2007 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing.

The Shingo Prize recognizes manufacturing excellence in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To win the award, manufacturing sites must demonstrate outstanding business results through the adept use of lean manufacturing practices and business processes.

"We are pleased to welcome Cordis to the distinguished group of companies that have received the Shingo Prize since 1988," said Ross Robson, executive director of the Shingo Prize. "After a rigorous evaluation process, it became evident that Cordis' manufacturing facility in Juarez operates at world-class levels."

During the evaluation, the Cordis facility demonstrated that it had increased productivity by 64 percent and production by 14 percent with a 12 percent space reduction while maintaining a positive trend in yields across all product lines.

"We are very honored to receive this award," said Victor Chance, worldwide vice president of operations, Cordis Corporation. "It recognizes the commitment we have made to excellence in everything we do. By keeping this commitment, we will continue to lead the way in the global fight against vascular disease."

The Juarez facility plays an instrumental role in the manufacturing of Cordis' innovative medical devices, such as the CYPHER Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent and a wide range of diagnostic, guiding and balloon catheters.

The Shingo Prize evaluation process involves the submission of a 100-page achievement report and a multiple-day site visit. Criteria includes measures of customer satisfaction, profitability, quality, cost and delivery, lean core operations, and leadership and empowerment of employees.

The Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing is administered by the College of Business, Utah State University. This year's awards will be presented at the 19th Annual Shingo Prize Awards Ceremony to be held March 29 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla.

Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing interventional vascular technology. Through the company's innovation, research and development, physicians worldwide are better able to treat the millions of patients who suffer from vascular disease.