INDIANAPOLIS, March 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL) announced today that it has been ranked #3 in the "Wholesalers: Electronics" category on the FORTUNE's "World's Most Admired Companies" list. The full list and related stories appear in the March 15 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands on Monday, March 8, and now at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2010/full_list/.
"Brightpoint is proud to be listed in the FORTUNE list of Most Admired Companies," stated Robert J. Laikin, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Brightpoint, Inc. "Brightpoint's status has been earned through the hard work of our employees and we will continue to work diligently to live up to our reputation of producing results for our customers and increasing long-term shareholder value."
FORTUNE says, "The financial crisis may finally be abating, but after a year of dramatic ups and downs, there's little doubt that corporate reputation matters more than ever before. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that while entire industries adjust to wrenching changes as the economy starts to stabilize, a ranking of who's admired and who's not would have particular import. Indeed, our annual comprehensive Most Admired Companies survey this year generated the highest response rate in its history."
The Most Admired list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations. FORTUNE and their survey partners at Hay Group start with about 1,400 companies: the Fortune 1,000 (the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue), non-U.S. companies in Fortune's Global 500 database with revenue of $10 billion or more, and the top foreign companies operating in the U.S. Hay Group sorts them by industry and selects the 15 largest for each international industry and the 10 largest for each U.S. industry. A total of 667 companies from 33 countries were surveyed. To create the 55 industry lists, Hay asks executives, directors, and analysts to rate companies in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value to social responsibility. This year only the best are listed: A company's score must rank in the top half of its industry survey. To arrive at the top 50 Most Admired Companies overall, the Hay Group asked 4,170 executives, directors, and securities analysts who responded to the industry surveys to select the 10 companies they admired most. They chose from a list made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25% in last year's surveys, plus those that finished in the top 20% of their industry.
About FORTUNE
FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism with a worldwide circulation of more than 1 million and a readership of nearly 5 million, with major franchises including the FORTUNE 500 and the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For. FORTUNE Live Media extends the brand's mission into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences, including the FORTUNE Global Forum. FORTUNE magazine's online home is CNNMoney.com, the most visited and utilized business destination website.
About Brightpoint, Inc.
Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL) is a global leader in the distribution of wireless devices and in providing customized logistic services to the wireless industry. In 2009, Brightpoint handled approximately 84 million wireless devices globally. Brightpoint's innovative services include distribution, channel development, fulfillment, product customization, e-Business solutions, and other outsourced services that integrate seamlessly with its customers. Brightpoint's effective and efficient platform allows its customers to benefit from quickly deployed, flexible, and cost effective solutions. The company has approximately 2,700 employees in more than 25 countries. In 2009, Brightpoint generated revenue of $3.2 billion. Brightpoint provides distribution and customized services to more than 25,000 B2B customers worldwide. Additional information about Brightpoint can be found on its website at www.brightpoint.com, or by calling its toll-free Information and Investor Relations line at 877-IIR-CELL (877-447-2355).
Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future performance of Brightpoint, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete any or all of the repurchases contemplated under the Amended Share Repurchase Program. These statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Please refer to the documents Brightpoint files, from time to time, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Brightpoint's most recent Form 10-K. These documents contain and identify important risk factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date these statements were made. Brightpoint undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.