UTICA, N.Y., Oct 1, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- CONMED Corporation's (Nasdaq:CNMD) French Road, Utica, NY Facility has been named the winner of the TBM Consulting Group's "Perfect Engine Site Award" for 2008. CONMED was one of 200 companies being considered for the prestigious award, which was presented during The Lean Excellence Conference in Des Moines, Iowa on September 23, 2008.

The "Perfect Engine Site Award" is presented annually to an individual facility that has successfully implemented LeanSigma(r) methodologies using Kaizen to make customer-focused improvements throughout the value chain. Relative metrics include outstanding productivity results that create business agility, growth and profitability. TBM's selection criteria include customer focus, visual management, workforce commitment, innovation, fiscal responsibility and value chain alignment.

CONMED's French Road facility, in addition to being the Company's worldwide Corporate headquarters, is its largest manufacturing plant. Its core competencies include extrusion, molding and assembly. Based on the facility's vertical integration capabilities, it manufactures and distributes products for each of CONMED's five (5) business units.

"CONMED is extremely honored to have received this award," said Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have only just begun our lean manufacturing journey with our first Kaizen event being conducted in June 2007. In the last 15 months we have completed 40 weeklong events at our French Road facility alone, and based on the positive results we've seen in areas such as productivity, inventory turns and quality, plan to expand the program to our other manufacturing facilities. This award is a testament to the hard work of our employees who have embraced LeanSigma(r) and are dedicated to the transformation of our corporate culture."

"We presented the award to CONMED's French Road facility because of their adaptability to the lean discipline and proven track record," said Anand Sharma, CEO of TBM Consulting Group. "CONMED was able to quickly implement and leverage the lean culture that has helped them achieve continuous business growth and results."

CONMED has also been chosen to host a Kaizen Breakthrough Experience public event sponsored by TBM Consulting Group the week of November 3 - 7, 2008. This will mark the second time that CONMED has been selected and will host the event in its French Road, Utica, NY facility. More information about this event is available directly from TBM Consulting Group (www.tbmcg.com).

ABOUT CONMED

CONMED is a medical technology company with an emphasis on surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures and monitoring. The Company's products serve the clinical areas of arthroscopy, powered surgical instruments, electrosurgery, cardiac monitoring disposables, endosurgery and endoscopic technologies. They are used by surgeons and physicians in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, and gastroenterology. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 3,200 employees distribute its products worldwide from several manufacturing locations. For more information visit www.conmed.com.

ABOUT TBM Consulting Group

Headquartered in Durham, N.C., TBM Consulting Group is the leading provider of LeanSigma(r) Consulting and Training Services in North and South America, Europe and Asia. With more than 150 experienced consultants operating on five continents in seven languages across the globe, TBM has grown to be the worldwide leader in "lean innovation" and business improvement in the manufacturing and service sectors. The company's mission is to help discrete and process manufacturers and service companies create a competitive advantage to generate significant growth in sales and earnings. The company provides strategic direction and hands-on Implementation to guide cultural and organizational transformation. TBM Consulting Group's LeanSigma approach integrates Lean principles for market agility and responsiveness and Six Sigma's focus on quality. For more information visit www.tbmcg.com.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the Company's performance on a going-forward basis. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or trends, to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures. The Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: CONMED Corporation

CONMED Corporation
          Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer
          315-624-3206

          FD
          Investors:  
          Brian Ritchie
          Theresa Kelleher
          212-850-5600