DULLES, Va.March 26, 2004--
Key Partners Recognized for Outstanding Contributions in the Areas of Product Reliability, On-Time Delivery and Customer Support
Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) today announced the recipients of the company's first Annual Supplier Achievement Awards. Beginning with Orbital's Launch Systems Group (LSG), which designs, develops, manufactures and operates a wide variety of rockets for space launch missions and missile defense applications, the company recognized nine companies and one individual for outstanding contributions in 2003 to Orbital-managed programs for military, civil government, commercial and international customers. This year, Orbital will expand the recognition program to include suppliers that contribute to the success of the company's Space Systems and Advanced Programs Groups, which produce the company's satellite and related space system products.
The award and recognition process is a part of a supplier development initiative that Orbital began in early 2003. The 2003 selection process was based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses performed by LSG's integrated product teams. An innovative aspect to the selection process is the supplier feedback loop, which views performance through a supply chain continuum, independent of customer and/or supplier distinctions. The process identifies strengths and weaknesses in the supply chain, from the flow-down of customer requirements to the delivery of finished goods and services. The primary objective of the award program is to forge strong partnerships between Orbital and its suppliers to ensure the highest quality and timely delivery of launch vehicle components and subsystems.
Orbital recognized the following companies and program manager: ATK THIOKOL PROPULSION SYSTEMS SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Brigham City and Magna, Utah ATK Thiokol Propulsion was selected for the Systems Supplier of the Year Award based on strong technical expertise, high product quality, rigorous engineering practices and 100% on-time delivery of rocket motors in 2003. ATK supplies solid rocket motors to Orbital for its missile defense interceptor boosters and its line of commercial and government space launch vehicles. DRUCK, INC., SENSORS GROUP COMPONENT SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR New Fairfield, Connecticut Druck, Inc.'s Sensors Group. was selected for the Component Supplier of the Year Award based on on-time product delivery and quality, and for its outstanding responsiveness and flexibility to meet Orbital's demanding requirements. Druck supplies Orbital with flight instrumentation devices. ASTECH ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC. TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD A GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Company Santa Ana, California Astech received the Technical Excellence Award for rapid development of a new product designed specifically to meet Orbital's rigorous flight requirements. Astech supplies an innovative, lightweight, honeycomb-titanium missile shroud for Orbital's missile defense-related programs. CMC ELECTRONICS CINCINNATI GOLD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Cincinnati, Ohio CMC Electronics Cincinnati received a Gold Award for Excellence based on a high level of engineering strength and responsiveness, flexibility, on-time product delivery and support services to Orbital. CMC Electronics Cincinnati supplies command destruct receivers used aboard Orbital's launch vehicles. MAROTTA SCIENTIFIC CONTROLS GOLD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Montville, New Jersey Marotta Scientific Controls received the Gold Award for Excellence based on high product reliability, on-time delivery and support services for the pressure regulators that it supplies for use aboard Orbital's launch vehicles. ARDE, INC. GOLD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Norwood, New Jersey Employee-owned Arde, Inc. received the Gold Award for Excellence based on reliability, schedule adherence and product support for the pressure vessels used aboard Orbital's launch vehicles. MICRO POWER ELECTRONICS, INC. GOLD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Hillsboro, Oregon Micro Power Electronics, Inc. received the Gold Award for Excellence for outstanding on-time delivery and product service. It is the second award that Micro Power Electronics has received from Orbital. In 2002, Micro Power was recognized with an Extra Mile Award for benchmark service and support. Micro Power supplies battery packs for Orbital's launch vehicles. BF GOODRICH PHOENIX AWARD FOR FUEL AND UTILITY SYSTEMS DIVISION CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Vergennes, Vermont Orbital recognized the BF Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems Division with the Phoenix Award based on a consistent and successful record of incorporating process improvements into their manufacturing flow to better support Orbital's rigorous requirements. In 2003, BF Goodrich's performance on Orbital programs reflected a dramatic improvement in service through strong management commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous process improvement. BF Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems supplies launch vehicle actuators to Orbital. MARY REINERT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AWARD ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE COMPANY Simsbury, Connecticut In a special recognition, Orbital awarded Ms. Mary Reinert of the Ensign-Bickford Aersopace and Defense Company with a Program Management Award. Orbital rarely confers awards to individuals at supplier companies. However, Ms. Reinert's extensive and consistent history of providing excellent program management in support of multiple launch vehicle products, systems and services, has warranted this special award. Ensign-Bickford supplies ordnance products used aboard Orbital's missile defense and space launch vehicles.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small space and rocket systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-orbit, geosynchronous and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based transportation management systems for public transit agencies and private vehicle fleet operators.
CONTACT: Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Beneski.barron@orbital.com
SOURCE: Orbital Sciences Corporation