4.10.2000 ET

(CSRwire) Gov. Tommy G. Thompson today awarded the 2000 Diamond Award to Brady Corporation (NYSE: BRC). The Diamond Award recognizes Wisconsin businesses that make great strides in shattering the glass ceiling.

"Diamond-award-winning companies are setting a standard across Wisconsin. Their efforts not only improve the professional lives of women and minorities all across our state, but bolster our economy by tapping into the talent of all people in the workforce," Gov. Thompson said.

The applicants for the Diamond Awards are reviewed by the Glass Ceiling Commission, which Gov. Thompson established in 1993. Its mission is to encourage businesses and organizations to voluntarily eliminate barriers and promote advancement of women and minorities to upper ranks of management.

Brady was cited for its belief that diversity is vital to compete in the global arena. Katherine M. Hudson, the company's president and chief executive officer, became the first woman to lead a publicly traded company in Wisconsin when she joined Brady in 1994. The company's self-directed team approach and family-friendly policies allow women and minorities at all levels of the company to have input and ownership on long-range projects as well as day-to-day activities. Brady boasts a diverse executive management team and encourages the development of women and minorities in traditionally difficult areas of advancement such those responsible for profit and loss, operating management and finance. Brady Corporation presents a total systems development program that removes barriers to upward mobility and encourages hiring practices that establish a workforce that values and embraces diversity.

"We are honored to receive this award from Gov. Thompson and the Glass Ceiling Commission," said Brady President and CEO Katherine Hudson. "I am particularly proud of our employees throughout the world who, in a recent survey, overwhelmingly agreed that individuals with diverse backgrounds and capabilities make Brady a better company."

Also receiving 2000 Diamond awards were Alliant Energy, Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, Inc., and Procter & Gamble.


Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete identification solutions, with products including labels, software, printing systems, label-application and data-collection systems, signs, safety devices and specialty materials for manufacturing, electrical, electronic, telecommunications and a variety of other markets. Founded in 1914, Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs about 3,000 people in operations in the United States, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Canada. Brady's fiscal 1999 sales were approximately $471 million and net income was approximately $40 million. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com.