IndustryWeek, the leading manufacturing management magazine, selected Lockheed Martin's plant in Syracuse, NY, as a winning facility in its 14th annual Best Plants competition.

"These plants set the standard for excellence in manufacturing today," said IndustryWeek Editor-in-Chief Patricia Panchak. "They define the winning strategies for achieving world-class performance."

The Best Plants honor recognizes world-class manufacturing capabilities and a management mindset of continuous improvement. The Syracuse plant was selected from more than 240 facilities nominated between October 2002 and March 2003, and is the only New York State plant in the top 10.

Plants reported practices and performance in such categories as benchmarking, community involvement, customer and supplier relations, employee relations, environmental and safety programs, inventory management, manufacturing operations and flexibility, market results, productivity, quality and use of technology.

"We are pleased IndustryWeek selected Lockheed Martin for this honor," said Bob Fiorentini, director, manufacturing operations for Lockheed Martin. "It highlights the continuous process improvement on which our manufacturing team has focused."

Fiorentini added that a recently implemented measurement system in the factory has helped employees understand their individual roles in meeting the overall production goals for the company.

Almost 500 of the approximately 2,200 employees at the Syracuse facility work in manufacturing; nearly 340 are represented by IUE-CWA Local 320. High- technology equipment produced at the site includes land and airborne radars and sonar systems.

"Our people are fully committed to their work and the customers they serve," said Michael Labulis, president, IUE-CWA Local 320. "The IndustryWeek award recognizes that strong work ethic."

"The selection of Lockheed Martin's Syracuse plant for this prestigious award shows how strong manufacturing is in Central New York and that we can compete internationally," said Randy Wolken, president of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York. "I congratulate Bob Fiorentini and all the employees at the facility for their outstanding accomplishment."

"I congratulate the manufacturing employees and technical staff of Lockheed Martin for this impressive recognition," said Rep. Jim Walsh (R-NY). "This award recognizes the quality and efficiency of our local Lockheed Martin facility and proves that Central New York, in fact, hosts a competitive and productive manufacturing environment."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information, visit the Web site:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/syracuse/news/industryweek.html

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors