First European Six Sigma Leadership Award goes to SKF CEO Tom Johnstone

Tom Johnstone, President and CEO of SKF was recognized with the ISSSP (The International Society of Six Sigma Professionals) Six Sigma Premier Leader Award by the ISSSP, the International Society of Six Sigma Professionals, for his work with committing the company to continuous improvement. Tom Johnstone is the first European corporate leader to receive the prestigious award and shares the honour with well-known CEO's such as Jack Welch of GE and Chad Holliday of DuPont.

ISSSP President Roxanne O’Brasky presented the award at a ceremony in Amsterdam during the 6th annual Six Sigma summit. She states;
- The leadership of Tom Johnstone is central to the success at SKF. The SKF example shows that companies can use Six Sigma to benefit their shareholders and their employees, as well the environment and the communities in which they operate. SKF sets a strong example for Europe and the world.”

Tommy G Klein, Senior Vice President of SKF Group Business Development, who is responsible for Six Sigma deployment, comments Tom's award;

- I am not at all surprised that Tom was chosen as the first European for this award. He has been one of the driving forces behind SKF's firm commitment to continuous improvement and by using Six Sigma methods and toolboxes as the SKF way of working. The importance of management commitment cannot be stressed enough during a corporate initiative of this magnitude. Not only has Tom "walked the talk" but he and his management team has also shown that staying the course will yield significant and lasting improvements, competitive advantages and financial gains. We could say that the results speaks for themselves, but what it all comes down to, is to create a change of the entire organization's mindset. When the entire organization is aligned around the same strategic direction and support it becomes easier for the individual workers to drive and contribute to the challenges of change.

Tom Johnstone's vision; "We need to set a new standard in the market place and Six Sigma contains the process, the tools and way of working that will help us move to that level."

About the ISSSP Six Sigma Premier Leader Award

Receiving the ISSSP Leadership Award is an honor bestowed on those business executives who have led the world’s largest, most successful Six Sigma deployments. The award has been given six times in North America. The first European Leadership Award was given in 2006 to SKF president and CEO Tom Johnstone.

North American Six Sigma Premier Leader Award recipients

2001 Larry Bossidy, Allied Signal

2002 Jack Welch, General Electric

2003 Dan Burnham, Raytheon

2004 Jim McNerney, 3M

2005 Bill Swanson, Raytheon

2006 Chad Holliday, DuPont

Characteristics of successful deployments

Six Sigma is a transformation platform across all business segments. Measurable goals are developed from company strategies. The process is renewed regularly. Six Sigma is promoted and recognized as a valuable skill set

Characteristics of successful Six Sigma leaders

They’re committed to caring and honoring the small things. They have received Six Sigma training. They lead with a common language and established metrics

About ISSSP

The International Society of Six Sigma Professionals (ISSSP) is committed to promoting the adoption, advancement and integration of Six Sigma in business. We’re Six Sigma’s only membership association. ISSSP and its members promote Six Sigma advocacy and awareness efforts, professional recognition and development, and improved dialog among Six Sigma companies, professionals, and service providers.

Göteborg, November 14, 2006

Aktiebolaget SKF
(publ.)

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