The Okonite Company, Ramsey, NJ, has announced, that effective August 1, 1997 fourteen (14) company locations have achieved compliance with ISO 9000-1994 quality standards.

Okonite's successful quality management system, developed in the early 1970s, and initially dedicated to the global nuclear generating power plant industry has been enhanced to reach this new milestone. Compliance has been attained to the three different ISO levels: ISO 9001-1994 at headquarters, Ramsey, NJ and Research and Engineering Labs located at Paterson, NJ: 9002-1994 at all six (6) manufacturing plants; Orangeburg, SC (both Compound and Cable plants); Paterson, NJ; Santa Maria, CA; Ashton, RI; and Richmond, KY: ISO 9003-1994 at all six (6) Customer Service Centers located at Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; Kansas City, KS; New Orleans, LA; and Pittsburgh, PA.

The proactive quality system at each facility is managed by a Quality Steering Team/Management Representative responsible for maintaining Okonite's commitments to quality and customer satisfaction.

Okonite has chosen first party certification with the international management standard without having to pass non-value added third party registration costs on to our customers. The Okonite Company, a premium quality cable manufacturer since 1878, employee owned since 1976, provides managed services for customers in the EPR underground distribution, transmission utility, railroad/transit, industrial and medical cable markets.

In addition to ISO 9000, Okonite will continue compliance with the requirements of the nuclear (10CFR50 Appendix B, ANSI N45.2) and Class 1 railroad (AAR M1003) standards to service our customers needs.