VALDOSTA, Ga. - Saft America, Inc., an international company with a local facility in Valdosta, Ga., has been recognized for its innovative environmental management policies by Frost & Sullivan, a recognized global leader in growth consulting. As the number one company, Saft was named the 2003 recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Award for Battery Recycling Service Leadership within the battery industry. Announcement of the honor was made by Peter Denoncourt, plant manager of the Valdosta facility.

"By meeting our measurement criteria, the company has clearly achieved the number one industry ranking for recycling," said Sara Bradford, a Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst. "We also were impressed by the company's demonstrated leadership and flexibility in tailoring its recycling program to meet customer needs in terms of battery recycling innovation."

Selection was based on evaluation results compiled by a Frost & Sullivan analyst team that conducted interviews with market participants, as well as engaging in extensive secondary research and customer surveys.

"Around the globe, Saft is committed to work closely with many agencies to provide safe, efficient and correct battery collection and recycling procedures," said Dr. Khushrow Press, president of Saft America. "In the U.S., for example, we run a Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation which has recycled more than 20 million pounds of rechargeable batteries since 1994."

According to Denoncourt, Saft recycles all of its factory nickel/cadmium (NiCd) scrap and by-products and collects and recycles customer spent NiCd batteries as well. As a result, 100 percent of the recycled cadmium is reused to produce new NiCd batteries.

Currently, Saft works with approximately 15 battery-recycling programs worldwide to provide efficient and convenient battery collection and recycling.

Locally, Saft employs 250 individuals at its Valdosta plant that manufactures nickel cadmium batteries for the automotive, aviation, railroad and telecommunications industries.

As the worldwide leader in the industry, Saft's self contained energy solutions range from portable sources to industrial and advanced technology batteries. Saft employs more than 4000 skilled workers worldwide and more than 900 employees in U.S. facilities in Cockeysville, Md., New Haven, Conn., Valdese, NC and Valdosta, GA. Additional information is available at http://www.saftbatteries.com.

Saft America, Inc.

Saft America, Inc.

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