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Source: Armadillo PR

NEWS RELEASE
10 June 2005
Further information: Emma Dixon on +44 (0)115 941 7887

DONCASTERS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES SCOOPS SAFETY ACCOLADE

OREGON, USA: The Oregon facility of Doncasters Medical Technologies, a leading global manufacturer of investment cast orthopaedic products and a wide range of medical devices, has been awarded the 5th Year Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program standard from Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division.

The SHARP program was developed to provide employers in Oregon with coaching to help them effectively manage occupational heath and safety. Doncasters Medical Technologies achieved the 5th Year SHARP standard in recognition of its commitment to continuous improvement in this area over a five year period. It is the first and only foundry in Oregon to earn SHARP Employer status and the 55th company in the state to achieve the accolade .

Sherry Marks, Occupational Health Services Consultant for the SHARP programme commented: “Out of the 55 companies that have achieved the 5th Year SHARP standard, Doncasters is a real benchmark. The company’s commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety is admirable and is an example others should follow.

To achieve and maintain SHARP status, companies must maintain an incident rate below the industry average for on-the-job injuries. Doncasters Medical Technologies has successfully maintained a very low incident rate and actively strives to ensure first rate conditions at the plant. The site has achieved 1358 (3.72 years) days without a time loss accident, which is a national best for its SIC code business.

Chris Anderson, VP and General Manager for Doncasters Medical Technologies North American Operations, said: “The success of a good safety program needs the support, direction and leadership of top management. Rather than simple compliance with the regulations, we know that safety cannot be passive and we have worked hard to instil a proactive safety culture amongst our workforce. For example, we have introduced an Ergonomics Safety Programme which has successfully reduced the incidence of certain workplace injuries. Our employees know that safe production is the only method of production at Doncasters Medical Techologies.”

Eric J. Lewis, CEO for the Doncasters Group Limited, commented:
“A safe working environment is paramount at all our sites and we take occupational health and safety extremely seriously. We are proud that the excellent work carried out by Doncasters Medical Technologies Oregon Operations over the past five years has resulted in the achievement of the prestigious SHARP Employer status. It is a further of example of Doncasters’ commitment to continuous improvement for the benefit of staff and customers alike.”
ENDS

Notes to editor:

For further information, please visit http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/

The Doncasters Group is a leading international manufacturer that supplies precision components and assemblies to the aerospace, power generation, specialty automotive and medical orthopaedic industries. Doncasters excels in working with alloys and metals that are difficult to shape and form.

The company’s unparalleled range of products and processes has been developed to offer customers a broad, vertically integrated capability. Core manufacturing processes include precision casting, forging, fabrication, machining and production of superalloys.

Key products include airfoils, structures, casings, rings, exhausts and combustion components for gas turbine applications, aerostructures and components for airframe applications, femoral knees, tibial trays, humeral stems, femoral hips and bone plates for orthopaedic applications and compressor and turbine wheels for the turbocharger market. The company offers well-developed supply chain integration solutions, delivering complex assemblies and engine-ready components to its customers.

Doncasters employs some 4,300 people at over 20 sites across Europe, the USA and Mexico. The Group has institutionalised lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles throughout its operations.