High and mighty

Walking into a truly world-class manufacturing plant can be a bit unnerving. It's got nothing to do with the decorations in the lobby, although a certain pride is often on display there. Nor is it the appointment of the executive offices-small and lacking ostentation seems to be the design theme here. It's not because of the general orderliness of the cility, although spotless restrooms say a lot. What strikes the visitor are the faces of the employees, who all seem to be on an endorphin high. As an observer of one of this year's European Best Plants winners whispered, "It's almost like a cult."