Last week, the long wait was over for the hundreds of entrants into this year’s Six Sigma Excellence Awards for Europe and the Rest of the World. Following hot on the heels of the North American awards in Miami in January.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, May 12, 2006 — Six Sigma Excellence Award Winners Announced. Last week, the long wait was over for the hundreds of entrants into this year’s Six Sigma Excellence Awards for Europe and the Rest of the World. Following hot on the heels of the North American awards in Miami in January, six sigma IQ put on a night of spectacular comedy, entertainment and drama yet again in the 3^rd Annual Awards Ceremony.

Among the esteemed winners was Neeraj Dhingra of Reliance Industries Ltd in India: “We feel extremely thrilled and elated. It is matter of great pride for our team. Participating in the Six Sigma Excellence Awards was the perfect opportunity for our company to showcase its breakthrough achievements in business excellence. Competing against the Global Conglomerates had been our key aim ever since we embarked on the Six Sigma initiative in 2001.”

For more information on how to enter for next year’s awards, which is already open for entries, visit www.sixsigmaawards.com, but for now let the celebrations commence as the award winners of 2006 take center stage!

Award for “Best Defect Elimination in Manufacturing”, sponsored by Minitab

Winner: Reliance Industries Ltd

Honorary Mention: First Sumiden Circuits

Award for “Best Six Sigma Project for Service & Transaction”, sponsored by JMP

Winner: Scottish Power

Honorary Mention: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Award for “Best Innovative Six Sigma Project”, sponsored by George Group

Winner: Scottish Power

Honorary Mention: Siemens VDO

Award for “Best Design for Six Sigma”, sponsored by Celerant

Winner: Delphi Automotive Systems

Honorary Mention: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Award for “Best Lean Six Sigma Project”, sponsored by six sigma IQ

Winner: Sun Chemical

Honorary Mention: SKF India

Award for “Best Six Sigma Project for Financial Services”, sponsored by Venturehaus

Winner: HSBC

Honorary Mention: CheckFree