Pittsburgh Business Times Presents 2005 Manufacturer of the Year Award to John Miclot, President and CEO of Respironics

Murrysville, PA - December 12, 2005

Respironics, Inc. announced today that John Miclot, president and CEO, received the 2005 Manufacturer of the Year Award presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times . For the past three years, the award has recognized excellence in 11 categories including product innovations, sales and marketing strategies, customer relations, and economic and global impact. Miclot was selected from among 15 finalists.

Although Respironics manufactures a variety of electromechanical medical devices for the global marketplace, this award recognizes the efforts that the Company has made within its Pittsburgh manufacturing operations located in Murrysville . These operations are based on lean manufacturing techniques and philosophies complemented by both quality and flexibility in production and infrastructure. Efficient manufacturing systems such as dock-to-stock material receipts, single piece flow, graphic work instructions and mixed model assembly lines are the main tenants of Respironics' operations. The Company plans to better its product verses demand ratio by maintaining low levels of inventories without sacrificing product availability or customer satisfaction. 

 “It's truly an honor to be presented with the Manufacturer of the Year Award. I give credit for this award to all of our associates at Respironics who have worked diligently toward creating a world class manufacturing operation and exceeding our company goals. I'd also like to thank the Pittsburgh Business Times for recognizing that the manufacturing industry is alive and well in the Pittsburgh region,” said Miclot.

Respironics is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of innovative products and programs that serve the global sleep and respiratory markets. Focusing on emerging market needs, the Company is committed to providing valued solutions to help improve outcomes for patients, clinicians and health care providers. Respironics markets its products in 131 countries and employs over 4,200 associates worldwide. Further information can be found on the Company's Web site: www.respironics.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to, among other things, developments in the healthcare industry; the success of the Company's marketing, sales, and promotion programs; future sales and acceptance of the Company's products and programs; the timing and success of new product introductions; new product development; anticipated cost savings; FDA and other regulatory requirements and enforcement actions; future results from acquisitions; acquisition integration; growth rates in foreign markets; regulations and other factors affecting operations and sales outside the United States (including potential future effects of the change in sovereignty of Hong Kong); foreign currency fluctuations; customer consolidation and concentration; increasing price competition and other competitive factors in the sale of products; interest rate fluctuations; expiration of intellectual property rights; intellectual property and related litigation; other litigation; future levels of earnings and revenues; and third party reimbursement, all of which are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results are included in the reports filed with the SEC, including the reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K