Ipsco Inc.'s Alabama Steelworks has been named one of the winners of the 2005 Alabama Quality Awards.

The Alabama Quality Award (AQA) is modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and recognizes and honors organizations that use effective productivity and quality improvement strategies, techniques or practices that can be shared with other organizations to help contribute to the overall economic well-being in the state of Alabama.

Various levels were established for this year's Alabama Quality Award ranging from Level One to Level Three, with Level Three being the highest level of recognition. "To be recognized within the state for our Level Two AQA performance is an honor," said Paul Wilson, Ipsco's Alabama Works Manager. "High performance manufacturing emphasizes a need for quality in all aspect of operations and this recognition reinforces to us that we are doing all the right things."

In consideration of the award, Ipsco's Alabama Steelworks was assessed on all aspects of its operations including leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, performance results, and commitment to the community. Ipsco will be presented with its Progress Toward Excellence award by the Alabama Productivity Center and the Alabama Technology Network during the groups’ annual conference.

"For most organizations, the most valuable aspect of going through the award process is the feedback that an organization receives, both external and internal," said Dr. David Miller, Director of the Alabama Productivity Center. "Externally, the award process provides an audit of whether the organization is doing the right things the right way. Internally, the process forces an organization to do a self assessment by going through the steps of preparing an application."

Ipsco began operating in Mobile County 5 years ago and today employs 370 employees.