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.”

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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



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.)








For further information, please contact:
PRESS: Lars G Malmer, SKF Group Communication, tel. +46 (0)31 337 1541, e-mail: Lars.G.Malmer@skf.com
IR: Marita Björk, SKF Investor Relations, tel: 031 3371994, e-post: marita.bjork@skf.com