PSCA Announces 2004 Signature Award Winners

CHICAGO, IL, October 10, 2004 -- The Profit Sharing/401k Council of America (PSCA) is pleased to announce the winners of our ninth annual Signature Awards competition, which recognizes excellence in plan communication and investment education in 401k plans.

"This year, PSCA received over 250 entries – quite an accomplishment from its first year 43," said Timothy Regnitz of Crowe Chizek and Company LLP, chair of the PSCA education and communications committee. "We’ve learned that even during tough financial markets, a weak economy and general uncertainty, plan sponsors are still finding the energy and resources to provide outstanding education and communication to promote the benefits of their company-sponsored retirement plan."

This year, Trinity Health earned the award for "Best of Show," an outstanding achievement. Trinity, which was sponsored by Diversified Investment Advisors, displayed superior effort and achievement in the areas of communication with and education of their plan participants. Their eye-catching campaign included a variety of clear and informative posters, pamphlets, and brochures tailored to their employees’ retirement concerns and needs.

Also, new categories have been added to expand recognition. Last year, "Off the Shelf" made its debut as a new category. This year, DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. was spotlighted with special recognition for demonstrating exceptional cultural diversity.

The level of success of a program is determined by its measured results. "PSCA wants to recognize programs that demonstrate their high level of success through the inclusion of measured results," said PSCA president, David L. Wray.

The 2004 Signature Award winning campaigns were displayed at the annual National Conference in New Orleans Wednesday, Sept. 29. Signature Awards judges also presented to the conference a thought provoking presentation explaining the why’s and how’s of the winning programs’ success. Additionally, the Signature Awards magazine highlighting winning programs was available at the National Conference.

The following are the 2004 Signature Award winners:

Best in Show:
Trinity Health – Sponsored by Diversified Investment Advisors

401k Day:
1. Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Plan Services
2. Veryfine Products, Inc. – Sponsored by MassMutual Financial Services
3. DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. – Sponsored by Prudential
HM: Isco, Inc. – Sponsored by JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services

Asset Allocation
1. Industrial Scientific Corp – Sponsored by PNC Advisors
2. Montgomery, McCraken, Walker & Rhodes – Sponsored by Prudential Retirement (formerly CIGNA)
3. M.A. Mortenson Company – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Plan Services
HM: Brookshire Grocery Company – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services

Complete Campaign – Less Than 5,000 Employees
1. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh – Sponsored by Financial Finessee
2. Michigan CAT – Sponsored by MassMutual Retirement Services
3. Peter Brasseler Holding, LP – Sponsored by Transamerica Retirement Service
HM: Lanco International – Sponsored by MassMutual Retirement Services

Complete Campaign – More than 5,000 Employees
1. Trinity Health – Sponsored by Diversified Investment Advisors
2. Dean Foods – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services
3. Science Applications International Corporations (SAIC) – Sponsored by The Vanguard Group
HM: Smithfield Foods – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Plan Services

Financial Planning
1. Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Lafayette, Indiana – Sponsored by Morgan Stanley
2. The Boston Consulting Group, Inc. – Sponsored by The Vanguard Group
3. Keyspan Energy Corporation – Sponsored by The Vanguard Group
HM: M.A. Mortenson Company – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Plan Services

Increasing Deferrals
1. Dean Foods – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services
2. American International Group (AIG) – Sponsored by The Vanguard Group
3. Inter-Tel, Incorporated – Sponsored by Charles Schwab
HM: Michigan CAT – Sponsored by MassMutual Retirement Services

Increase Participation – Less Than 2,500
1. Stowe-Pharr Mills, Inc. – Sponsored by Wachovia Retirement Services
2. M.A. Mortenson Company – Sponsored by Strong Retirment Services
3. Southern California Gas Company – Sponsored by T. Rowe Price
HM: Veryfine Products, Inc. – Sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group

Increase Participation – More Than 2,500
1. (tie) Dean Foods – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services
1. (tie) PPD Corporation – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services
2. G&K Services – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Plan Services
3. (tie) Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) Savings Plan – Sponsored by Prudential Retirement
3. (tie) First Data Corporation – Sponsored by Hewitt Associates
HM: Texas Health Resources – Sponsored by JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services

Introduction To Plan Design/Administrative Change – Less Than 5,000
1. St. Jude Medical, Inc. – Sponsored by JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services
2. Piper Jaffray – Sponsored by BLUE Communication
3. Universal Forest Products, Inc. – Sponsored by Wachovia Retirement Services
HM: Safelite Group, Inc. – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Services

Introduction To Plan Design/Administrative Change – More Than 5,000
1. Brookshire Grocery Co. – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services
2. Hewlett-Packard – Sponsored by Fidelity Investments
3. Farmland Foods, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc. – Sponsored by Strong Retirement Plan Services

Language Diversity
1. PPD Corporation – Sponsored by MFS Retirement Services
2. Vanguard Group
3. Metals USA – Sponsored by The 401k Company

Off the Shelf
1. AMVESCAP Retirement, Inc. – Entry: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.
2. Vanguard – Entry: FedEx
3. Manulife Financial
HM: T. Rowe Price
HM: Scudder Investments

Plan Sponsor
1. Provider: Prudential Retirement – Materials provided: State of North Carolina – Office of State Treasurer
2. Principal Financial Group
3. Manulife Financial

Targeted Communication – Interactive
1. Avaya, Inc. – Sponsored by The Hay Group
2. Kraft Foods – Sponsored by Financial Engines, Inc.
3. Motorola, Inc. – Sponsored by Financial Engines, Inc.

Targeted Communication – Print
1. Starbucks Coffee Co. – Sponsored by PartnerComm., Inc.
2. Fairfield Manufacturing Company – Sponsored by AMVESCAP Retirement
3. JCPenney Company, Inc. – Sponsored by Financial Engines, Inc.
HM: The Sharper Image – Sponsored by PNC Advisors
HM: The 401k Company

Special Recognition:
DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. – Sponsored by Prudential

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