INDIANAPOLIS, March 2, 2009 (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 16 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands on Monday, March 9th, and now at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2009/snapshots/670.html.
"Brightpoint is proud to be a winner of the FORTUNE Most Admired Companies award," said Robert J. Laikin, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Brightpoint, Inc. "We work hard every day to deliver the best service to our customers and provide long-term shareholder value, and our hard work is being recognized."
FORTUNE says its new corporate reputation rankings remain critically important this year. "With admiration in such short supply, it's more valuable than ever -- and in a season of global economic tumult, reputation is more volatile than ever."
FORTUNE's survey partners at Hay Group, a global management consulting firm, started with some 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 revenues of $10 billion or more; and the top foreign companies operating in the U.S. They then sorted the companies by industry and selected the 15 largest for each international industry and the ten largest for each U.S. industry.
The survey covers 64 industries: 25 international industries and 39 primarily U.S.-market industries. To create the 64 industry lists, Hay Group asked 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.
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 2008, 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 3,000 employees in 26 countries. In 2008 Brightpoint generated revenue of $4.6 billion. Brightpoint provides distribution and customized services to over 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, statements regarding potential spending reductions resulting from the elimination and proposed elimination of positions and the streamlining of operations and its ability to achieve cost savings and debt reduction as part of its 2009 Spending and Debt Reduction Plan. 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 and Form 10-Q and Exhibit 99.1, thereto. 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.