Respironics celebrates National Customer Service Appreciation Week

Opens new Customer Relations Building with special dedication

Murrysville, PA - October 5, 2007

Dedication ceremony held Oct. 5 with guest of honor Audrey McGinnis, wife of founder Gerald McGinnis (far right), dignitaries and invited guests.

Entrance of Respironics new Customer Relations Building

Respironics, Inc. announced the official opening of its new customer relations building in Plum Borough in observance of National Customer Service Appreciation Week. The medical device company celebrated the opening with a dedication honoring founder Gerald "Jerry" McGinnis's wife, Audrey. After all, it was in Audrey's kitchen that Jerry started a business that would grow to a billion dollar company.

Today, at Respironics' new global call center operations nearly 175 highly skilled associates handle 5,000-plus calls on an average day from more than 141 countries. The 33,000 square-foot single-level building (a former bowling alley) has been transformed to a modernized facility. Among the amenities, a spacious reception area, conference rooms, and high-tech features were designed to enhance operations, facilitate response times and provide a level of service that is customary for the market leader. Edge Studios architects and Bruce Construction completed the renovations to the building, which is owned by Sampson Morris Group.

"This happens to be National Customer Service Week," said Dale West, Vice President, Shared Services, for Respironics. "We can think of no more fitting tribute than to recognize our first customer relations representative, Mrs. Audrey McGinnis. It was in "Audrey's kitchen" that our company began. While Jerry McGinnis focused on designing medical devices to help save people's lives, Audrey was on the front lines to ensure our customers' needs were met. We are honored to celebrate the opening of our new customer relations center with our esteemed founder and his wife, Audrey." 

The new site houses Respironics' exemplary Customer Service, Product Support, Clinical Support, Inside Sales, Financial Services, Corporate Logistics, ITS Business Solutions and Customer Knowledge and Solutions Teams.

The addition furthers Respironics' expansion beyond its main 32-acre campus in Murrysville to accommodate its growing operations and workforce. Respironics employs more than 5,100 associates worldwide, 1,700 in Western Pennsylvania . The company increased its local workforce nearly 5 percent in fiscal year 2007. And growth is expected to continue. 

Respironics announced plans in late July to build a 165,000-square-foot facility for the manufacture of its sleep therapy devices in nearby Upper Burrell, Westmoreland County . The company's Sleep and Home Respiratory Group expanded to a new headquarters on Rt. 286 in Monroeville . A second Monroeville site will soon be the new headquarters for Respironics' Children's Medical Ventures business, which provides developmentally supportive products and services for newborns and infants.

"We have seen tremendous development in the region in our more than 30 years of operation," adds Mr. West. "As we expand our footprint, we are intent on attracting and retaining associates by providing a quality work environment complemented by the rich amenities of the region."

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 healthcare providers. Respironics markets its products in 141 countries and employs more than 5,100 associates worldwide. Further information can be found on the Company's Web site: www.respironics.com.