Plantronics, recently celebrating their 35th anniversary, is known as the world's leading supplier of quality telephone headsets and other communications products. The 1995 Sustainable Quality Award went to Plantronics for demonstrating initiative and leadership within their industry.

With 1,400 employees worldwide, Plantronics excels in product quality as the only US manufacturer of headsets that has the ISO 9001 quality certification. Plantronics is also one of the few manufacturers to continuously receive AT&T's Quality of Excellence Award and their Quality Leadership Awards.

Plantronics follows the philosophy of treating all employees with respect and to be concerned about their well-being and individual development. As far back as 1968, Plantronics has been sharing 10% of its pre-tax profits with employees ($5.2 million in 1995) in the form of cash and tax-deferred savings, striving to keep their benefits programs competitive.

In 1993, a donations committee was established to organize charitable giving, which includes a program to grant five engineering scholarships per year. Fifteen $1000 scholarships have, thus far, been awarded. Seven more have been selected for presentation this year.

For the past 10 years, Plantronics has had recycling programs in effect for paper, cardboard, magazines, cans, computer paper, glass, plastic, PC boards, toner, etc. Internationally, Plantronics facilities have also implemented recycling programs.

Resulting from the recycling efforts, Plantronics reduced their trash compactor pickups from 7 per month down to 1-1/2 per month, while generating $10,000 - 12,000 per year from recycled cardboard.

Through energy conservation, and PG&E's rebate program, Plantronics invested $65,000 in retrofitting lights, saving $28,000 the first year by using improved lighting systems and automatic light switches, with a payback period on the initial investment of less than 2 years.

Plantronics "closes the loop" by purchasing recycled restroom products, uses speedbumps made out of recycled materials, and has employees take home left-over batteries. When possible, the company reuses headset parts in production.

The company uses automatic timers on heating/air-conditioning and water irrigation systems, significantly reducing consumption of these natural resources while simultaneously saving money.
Within the local Harvey West Park community, Plantronics has assisted other companies by setting an example, making available to them the names of vendors that handle the bi-products of their manufacturing processes.

Plantronics approach involves keeping the customer first plus setting high expectations for everyone within the organization.