ROANOKE, Va., Aug. 28 -- FORTUNE magazine profiled RR Donnelley's book manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Va., in its "Elite Factories" feature this September. The annual feature highlights companies that are breaking new ground in manufacturing. RR Donnelley is one of only two companies chosen this year. "At its Roanoke, Va., plant, where presses run around the clock producing 3.5 million four-color books a month, RR Donnelley has created a showcase for innovation," wrote FORTUNE, which profiled only one other "Elite Factory" this year. "The Roanoke plant has boosted productivity 20 percent since 2002 and is taking business from competitors with faster service." RR Donnelley has made widespread use of Six Sigma, 5S, process variability reduction and other methods to eliminate inefficiencies in processes at the Roanoke plant and across the company's integrated print network. Besides the tremendous efficiency gains, RR Donnelley's Roanoke facility has earned the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's highest safety certification -- one of only three printing facilities nationwide to receive the VPP Star honor -- for its programs to create the safest possible work environment for employees. "Our Roanoke team is tremendously honored to receive this attention from FORTUNE magazine," said Donal L. Robb, RR Donnelley's vice president of manufacturing in Roanoke. "From management to the production room floor, we're committed to applying our insight and experiences to develop more efficient manufacturing processes that help build our customers businesses and brands." The facility is also an excellent example of RR Donnelley's best-in-class tools for helping publishers manage title inventories, giving publishers the flexibility to keep smaller inventories and reduce waste by ordering fewer books at once and replenishing their inventories more quickly at a price that makes sense. Robb stated, "This plant is a state-of-the-art facility with industry-leading capabilities. We have powerful process management tools that allow us to drive dramatic productivity improvements. However, our most powerful asset is a talented, engaged, and empowered workforce led by a knowledgeable group of managers and supervisors that are driven by the pursuit of excellence."