Dubai, Jan. 26th, 2008 (WAM) - Reinforcing its reputation as a leading port operator, DP World has recently been awarded the 'Recognized for Excellence' 5 Star rating for Jebel Ali terminals by the European Foundation for Quality Management, becoming the first port operator worldwide and the first company in the Middle East to receive such prestigious recognition.
A team of four assessors from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), a non-profit membership foundation based in Belgium, recently visited DP World UAE and the Jebel Ali Port site. The assessors toured the site inspecting and evaluating port operations and management, and met members of management, supervisory, and staff across all departments. Upon their final assessment report, they awarded Jebel Ali Terminals 5 Star distinction offered by the foundation. "This five star certification reinforces the high operational standards of DP World UAE which have been built over the years, and reflects our strong commitment to the highest levels of quality in the services we provide. Our leadership, operations management efficiency, strategic planning and our strict adherence to the highest international quality standards has earned DP World UAE this international acclaim, distinction and recognition," stated Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World UAE. The European Foundation for Quality Management recognition facilitates businesses to conduct performance assessment and measurement of achieved progress in areas such as strategic planning, leadership, corporate social responsibility, people, and many others. The New 'Recognized for Excellence' Scheme, based on the 'EFQM Excellence Model' and which had been launched in June 2006, comprises 32 sub-criteria within 9 main criteria, which serve as the basis for a points-based assessment. Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Director, Strategic Planning and Business Support, DP World UAE said: "This classification internally equips DP World with an efficient tool to evaluate the areas of strengths and weaknesses in management techniques, practices, and strategies adopted, and provides an incentive to implement best practices in the workplace. In today's competitive global economic landscape, it also offers our customers and partners a trusted quality, assurance, and control mechanism to efficiently evaluate corporate performance, growth and progress.' DP World UAE has received several local and international accolades in the past, such as Dubai Quality Award 2002, Dubai Government Excellence Award (Gold) 2005, and Middle East and India Award the (The Port of the Year) 2005 & 2006 awarded by Lloyd's List, amongst others awards.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.
