INDIANAPOLIS (September 29, 2006) — Klipsch Audio Technologies, a leading provider of premium audio products, today announced that its Hope, Arkansas-based manufacturing facility has been chosen by the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence (AIPE) as a 2006 Commitment Award winner.

The Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence, formerly Arkansas Quality Award, provides opportunities for all organizations within the state to measure their progress in striving for performance excellence.

Using the nation’s prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program as a guide, the AIPE offers a four-tiered award sequence that quantifies company growth. State businesses can apply at any one of the following levels: Challenge, Commitment, Achievement or Governor’s Award, which is the top honor.

Handpicked by a select panel of judges, Klipsch was evaluated for the Commitment Award based on the following seven criteria: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; human resource focus; process management; and results.

“It’s truly an honor to be chosen for this esteemed accolade that recognizes quality and performance achievements,” said Mike Klipsch, president of Klipsch Audio Technologies. “We’ve been manufacturing loudspeakers in Hope for over 60 years and this Commitment Award is a testament to our dedicated employees who have helped make Klipsch a global leader within the consumer electronics industry.”

The Commitment Award level is for companies that have progressed to the point of demonstrating serious dedication to the use of quality principles to attain performance excellence. Recognition is given to those organizations that have advanced the knowledge and skills gained from the initial steps and have a solid plan to move towards larger goals.

Klipsch was one of three organizations to receive a Commitment Award. A special ceremony was held on September 25 at the Hot Spring Convention Center in Hot Springs, Ark., to honor award recipients at every level. President Mike Klipsch, director of manufacturing Jack Sparks and human resources manager Donna Garner were present to accept the award on Klipsch’s behalf. More than 250 businesses and civic leaders throughout the state attended the event.

The Klipsch manufacturing facility employs 82 individuals and manufactures the wooden speaker cabinets for the company’s highly acclaimed Reference Series as well as the vintage Heritage Series, which was developed by audio pioneer and company founder Paul W. Klipsch during the early days of Hi-Fi. Additionally, the company’s professional cinema products, which are used by top theater operators around the world, are built at this location.

About The Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence (AIPE)

The private business community created the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence program in 1995. This not-for-profit organization provides a framework that encourages Arkansas organizations to engage in continuous quality improvement and to provide education and recognition to these organizations. Based on the broad representation attending the September 25 celebration, the program has achieved statewide acceptance through organizations that understand the value of quality in today’s workplace.