Middle East healthcare leader awarded global recognition

'Class A' certification is the highest standard that can be accorded to a company in recognition of its business planning and operational process excellence. Once implemented, the 'Class A' methodology is expected to bring dramatic improvements to customer service, company performance, and employee job satisfaction.
Increased competition in the Middle East has meant that several regionally-based companies apply for 'Class A' status; however, only Abbott Laboratories' Gulf operations could meet the exacting standards of the program.

'Abbott Laboratories is an international company which operates on a business excellence model, from drug discovery to marketing and sales, so it is fitting that we in the Gulf also continuously improve our internal processes enabling us to deliver 'best-in-class' service to our many valued customers,' said Ibrahim Aql, general manager, Abbott Laboratories Gulf Region.

The program, which is assessed annually for compliance by independent auditors, is designed to benefit practicing companies by: keeping business and operating plans aligned, focusing effort on strategic planning, balancing long term and short term tasks, and ensuring continuous improvement.

'Business process excellence must be an ongoing process, and we believe that our newly-accorded 'Class A' status is an exceptional milestone in the history of our Gulf operations for which our team is very proud,' said Rania Salim, Sales Force Effectiveness/ Training Coordinator, Abbott Laboratories Gulf Region. Other international companies to have been awarded 'Class A' status include Boeing, Eastman Kodak, Kraft Foods, and Unisys Corporation.