Sears Names Top 2000 Suppliers as 'Partners In Progress'

Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) honored its top suppliers at the company's annual "Partners In Progress" event held at Sears headquarters yesterday. Sears bestowed the award this year on fewer than 130 suppliers. More than 10,000 suppliers competed for this award.

"Sears suppliers are vital to the success of our business and our ability to make Sears the destination of choice for our customers," said Sears Chairman and CEO Alan J. Lacy. "Of the thousands of suppliers with whom we do business, our Partners in Progress award recipients have demonstrated the highest level of commitment, quality and leadership - attributes we strive to achieve in everything we do at Sears. Through their professionalism and dedication, these suppliers have earned Sears recognition."

Begun almost 20 years ago, the Partners In Progress program recognizes suppliers that make significant contributions to the growth of Sears businesses and the creation of new ways to better serve Sears customers. The winners were selected from nominations submitted by Sears store support organization and include awards for various achievements.

In addition to being named Partners in Progress, the following suppliers were recognized for their exceptional contributions to Sears business success:

                     2000 Sears Partners in Progress
                          Business Group Awards

Awards for Business Group Suppliers of the Year -- winners exemplify the highest achievement in partnership with Sears:

  Icon Health and Fitness for Sears Hardlines
  Vanity Fair Intimates, Inc. for Sears Softlines
  Fixture Hardware Co. for Sears Support Businesses

Awards for Quality - represent the highest quality in merchandise or service:

  Shaw Industries for Sears Softlines
  Waterloo Industries, Inc. for Sears Hardlines
  Genco for Sears Support Businesses
  GE Appliances/ Consumer Service for Sears Services

Awards for Innovation - contributed the most meaningful product development or innovation:

  Whirlpool for Sears Hardware
  Coty US LLC for Sears Softlines
  National Energy Services, Inc. for Sears Support Businesses
  Ambrosi & Associates, Inc. for Sears Services

  Category Source of the Year - top performer in a merchandise category:

  Johnson Controls, Inc. for Sears Automotive
  Stella Footwear/Graves Importing for Fine  Jewelry, Cosmetics, Fragrances,
    Home Fashions and Family Footwear
  Sony Electronics, Inc. for Home Electronics/Home Office
  Icon Health and Fitness for  Lawn & Garden and Family Fitness
  Superba Inc. for Men's & Children's Apparel
  Vanity Fair Intimates, LP for Women's Ready to Wear and Intimate Apparel
  Fixture Hardware Co. for Sears Support Businesses

                          Sears, Roebuck and Co.
                        2000 Partners in Progress

  A Classic Time Watch Company Inc.
  A. Eicoff & Co.
  Adlab
  Ambrosi & Associates, Inc.
  Amerock Corporation
  APG, Inc.
  APL Limited
  Aramark Business Services
  Aramark Corporation
  Artland
  Automated Distribution Systems
  Avis Rent A Car Systems, Inc.
  BCTC Corporation
  BLM Engineers
  Brann Chicago
  Briggs New York Corporation
  Cee Sportswear
  Chim Li Fashion Co.
  Cole Vision Corporation
  Conair Corporation
  Continental General Tire Inc.
  Coty US LLC
  Crowley Liner Services
  Cupid
  Curtron
  Donnellon Public Relations
  E H P Tractor Division
  E.R. Rule of Puerto Rico, Inc.
  Echostar Communications Corporation
  Electrolux Home Products
  Escalade Sports
  Euro-Tapis
  F & F Construction
  Fishman & Tobin, Inc.
  Fixture Hardware CO.
  Fownes Brothers & Co, Inc.
  GE Appliances
  Genco
  General Electric - LaFeyette
  General Electric - Leiser
  H&R Block Tax Services, Inc.
  Hartford Computer Group, Inc.
  Heartland Express
  Hitachi Home Electronic (America), Inc.
  Hitachi National Service Division
  HoMedics
  IBM Global Services - Sears Account
  Icon Health and Fitness
  Imax
  Informix Software, Inc.
  Itronix Corporation
  Jamac Inc.
  Janome Sewing Machine Co., LTD
  Johnson Controls, Inc.
  JVC Company of America
  Karastan
  Kichler
  Kimball Distributing Company
  L.S. Starrett Co., Evans Rule Div.
  L'Art De La Mode
  LA GAL
  Lane-Valenti Industries
  Levolor Home Fashions
  Louisville Bedding Company
  Markon Footwear
  Martin Emprex
  Meyer Corporation
  Milco Industries
  Miracle-Ear, Inc.
  Mohawk Industries
  Monterey Canyon, Inc.
  MS Carriers
  MTD Products, Inc.
  Murray, Inc.
  National Energy Services, Inc.
  Nike, Inc.
  Nissei Sangyo America, LTD.
  Nurserymen's Exchange
  Pacific Coast Feather Co.
  Pacific Electricord
  Peking Handicraft, Inc.
  R & M Richards
  Rexon Industrial Corp. Ltd.
  Rexon USA
  Rosetti Handbags & Accessories
  RSV Sport, Inc. (L.E.I)
  SAG Harbor Dresses
  Salton
  Sara Lee Knit Products
  Shaw Industries
  Smiles Fashion
  Sol Savransky Diamonds, Inc.
  Sony Electronics, Inc.
  Sovereign Sales LLC
  State Industries, Inc.
  Stella Footwear/Graves Importing
  Superba Inc.
  Tabletops Unlimited
  Taiwan Janome
  Techtronic Industries, Inc.
  Telxon
  The Antique Drapery Rod Company
  The Brickman Group, LTD
  The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
  The First Years
  The Gem Group
  The Hoover Company
  The Lee Company
  The Northern Trust Company
  The Sherwin-Williams Company
  The Timberland Company
  The Trane Company
  Thomas Liao Co., LTD
  Thule, Inc.
  Vanity Fair Intimates, LPWarren Distribution
  Waste Management
  Waterloo Industries, Inc.
  Whirlpool Corporation
  Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor
  Whirlpool Corporation - Clyde Division
  Whirlpool Corporation - Marion Division
  Wiseknit Factory, LTD

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Contact: Paula S. Davis of Sears, Roebuck & Co., 847-286-4965

Website: http://www.sears.com/