Columbia Tech Wins Prestigious 2011 Evolutions in Business GINA Award

(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 01, 2012 ) Houston, TX -- Coghlin Companies, a privately held firm specializing in engineering design, contract manufacturing, global fulfillment, and aftermarket service solutions, has announced that its Columbia Tech subsidiary was selected as a GINA Award winner for 2011 by Evolutions in Business (EIB), the expert resource for companies seeking export and import corporate compliance training and corporate controls implementation. The award, presented annually by EIB, recognizes the diligent individuals and corporations that help maintain the nation's export and import security. In addition, two Columbia Tech employees, Richard Schulman and Geraldine St. Jean, received honorable mentions in categories related to the GINA award, the second consecutive year each has been recognized. The "Gina Award" is awarded to individuals who, with or without cooperation from their corporation, have managed to implement in their company these "Best Practices" of a compliant exporting organization.

Commenting on the award, Jim Coghlin, COO & Chief ITAR Officer at Coghlin Companies said, "Being recognized as one of EIB's GINA Award recipients for 2011 is a tremendous honor, especially given the caliber of past recipients. The highly dedicated team members at Columbia Tech strive for excellence in every aspect of their work on behalf of our valued customers, including meeting and managing the challenges of complying with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), two important United States export control laws that affect the manufacturing, sales and distribution of technology. This recognition is greatly appreciated and underscores the value customers receive when they partner with us."

Since 2009, EIB has recognized the work of corporations and individuals who contribute to the nation's export and import security. These outstanding efforts are best acknowledged by an award named for an individual whose diligence and hard work in the field has prevented many wrongful exports for more than 15 years - as such, the GINA Award has become recognized and sought after within this community.

"We are honored by this selection for a GINA Award by EIB. I am personally grateful for the honorable mention in the individual category from the organization," said Rich Schulman, Vice President of Quality, Columbia Tech. "With so many of the Columbia Tech team striving to maintain the highest security standards for the technologies and products we work with, this award recognizes their efforts and demonstrates our commitment to these standards."

"Working within the confines of the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) can present unique challenges," said Jeanette Reed, President and CEO, EIB and ITAR consultant for Columbia Tech. "With the dedicated team at Columbia Tech, they meet those challenges head on, achieving and exceeding compliance with ITAR, due in large part to the team's commitment to securing the critical technologies and products they produce on behalf of their customers."

About Columbia Tech
Columbia Tech provides the highest degree of manufacturing excellence for customers seeking turnkey manufacturing and global fulfillment services. Its business model contains a unique blend of front-end DFM and NPI services combined with worldwide purchasing leverage and customized manufacturing programs renowned for extreme flexibility and attentiveness to detail. For more information, please visit www.columbiatech.com.

About Coghlin Companies, Inc.
Coghlin Companies, Inc. is a privately held company specializing in helping companies cost effectively improve their time-to-market. Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, Coghlin Companies spans four generations representing more than 126 years of manufacturing experience and leadership. Subsidiaries include: Columbia Tech, which provides turnkey manufacturing services to a diverse customer base, including OEMs in the bio-science, semiconductor, LED, medical device, green energy technology, data storage, and automation systems and controls industries; DCI Engineering, an engineering design and pre-production support services company; and Cogmedix, an FDA compliant and ISO 13485 certified medical subassembly and finished medical device contract manufacturer. For more information, please visit www.coghlincompanies.com or sign up for the Coghlin Companies e-Newsletter at http://coghlincompanies.com/newsletter-signup.php.

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Steve Brownell
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