Tata Steel’s Steel SBU won the coveted award for "Leadership in Excellence" in the Tata Business Excellence Model (TBEM) assessment for the year 2004, which coincided with JRD Tata’s 100th Birth Anniversary, an apt tribute to the doyen of integrity and excellence of Indian Industry and the spirit he has instilled in the culture of the Company. This award is given to a Tata Group Company for surpassing 700 points, out of a total score of 1000. This score puts Tata Steel in a “ World Class ” category, comparable to the best in the world. Tata Steel has once again proved its pioneering spirit and heritage by becoming the first company in the Tata Group to achieve thisscore and be honoured with this award. Tata Steel received the award from Mr. NA Soonawala, Vice Chairman, Tata Sons at a glittering function at the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai last evening.

Tata Steel has been the first in the Tata Group to win, the prestigious JRD QV Awards in the year 2000; the Sustained Excellence Award in the Year 2003 for consistently scoring above 600 points for three consecutive years; and now, the “Excellence in Leadership” Award is another leaf in Company’s laurel of pioneering firsts.

JRD Tata was always conscious of the importance of quality, and ensured that this quality consciousness pervaded all the organisations that belonged to the Tata Group. He was proud that the companies within the group were known, domestically and internationally, for the quality of their products and services. As a tribute to his quest for perfection in every sphere of activity, the JRD Tata Quality Value Awards were instituted in his memory. The awards are given after an assessment based on the Tata Business Excellence Model adapted from the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, USA. The TBE Model is a unique approach to enhance competitiveness of the Tata Group.

Mr. Steve Hoisington, VP- Quality, Johnson Controls, USA and Senior Malcolm Baldrige Assessor, was one of the expert external assessors. As part of the assessment team headed by Mr. Girish Wagh, of Tata Motors and mentored by Mr. D. S. Gupta, MD, Tata Auto Comp Systems Ltd. Mr. Hoisington, made some profound observations on Tata Steel, and the progress its has made on its journey of excellence, “Significant changes in the past 5 years at Tata Steel include a refined and effective leadership system, continuity in leaders (old faces, new positions), Achievement of industry leading results and world class levels of performance, More visibility on cost and emphasis on team decision making. The essence of ‘One organization, One goal’ and the strategic and global perspective is evident, as is, less command orientation and greater empowerment of people. Knowledge management has achieved best practices and processes, and there is more alignment and integration with HR process as well. There is a stronger focus on branding and evidence of improvement through AQUIP and ASPIRE programmes is apparent. And Jamshedpur is significantly GREENER! ”

Winning the highest achievement, on the 100th Birth Anniversary of JRD Tata, is indeed a sign of JRD’s legacy being upheld by the fountainhead company of the Tata Group. Tata Steel has emerged from the forge of the TBEM process and is rubbing shoulders with the best in the world.