Printing Industries of America (PIA) has announced the recipients of the 2015 Best Workplace in the Americas Awards. A committee of distinguished HR experts from within the industry selected a total of 32 graphic arts companies. A total of 10 companies received the distinction of “Best of the Best,” while 22 earned “Best Workplace” honors.

The program is designed to recognize graphic arts companies for their outstanding human relations efforts, which contribute to a successful workplace.

“Since 2000, the Best Workplace program has recognized industry leaders throughout the U.S. and Canada from small, medium and large firms in the graphic arts industry for their outstanding human relations practices,” said Jim Kyger, assistant vice president, human relations, for PIA. “While this year we felt that every company that entered the competition had HR programs worthy of great pride, the Best Workplace program recognizes outstanding accomplishment. The Best Workplace program stands out as one of the most stringent HR awards programs available in any industry because it analyzes key HR metrics and program documents that firms submit with their entry.”

Smyth Companies, a label manufacturer based in St. Paul, MN, USA, was honored with a Best of the Best award in the “Large Companies/Multi-plants” category. For Bill Orme, marketing manager at Smyth, the award validates the company’s dedication to creating a positive workplace atmosphere.

“Being recognized as a ‘Best of the Best’ company by PIA is indication what we’re doing in the area of human resources and employee relations is working,” says Orme. “One of the timeless goals here at Smyth is to be a great place to work.  We emphasize this because we understand that attracting and keeping the talented and dedicated employees we have here is vital to the long-term success of the company.  We were founded in 1877, and even in those early days this company strived to provide a work environment that was safe, comfortable, rewarding and responsive to the needs of employees.  It’s an understanding that the people here are the lifeblood of Smyth, and we want them to be proud to be part of the company and secure in the knowledge the company has their best interests in mind.”

PIA has recognized Smyth every year since 2007. According to Orme, the company promotes an “e3” strategy designed to engage and empower employees. “Through e3, we conduct annual enterprise training initiatives focused on employee development and corporate culture improvement,” he says. “Most recently, all employees received training, and some received continuing education credits, through an internally facilitated workshop utilizing materials licensed from Franklin Covey; materials based on Stephen M.R. Covey’s “the Speed of Trust”.  We want each employee to know his or her voice is heard and their contribution to the company mission is significant.”

Smyth also offers a Gainsharing Program, which gives all employees a stake in the success of the company. Employees have the ability to share in up to 10% of the profits, and over $6 million has been distributed over the last five years.

“We think employees who are engaged and challenged work smarter, and they feel more fulfilled about what they’re doing,” explains Orme. “It only follows that more productive work results in better performance servicing our valued customers. That translates to world-class quality and service; the basic recipe for success.  We understand that the key to this success is hiring and retaining quality people, so creating a work environment attractive to them has been and will continue to be a significant part of our strategy.

Inland, a privately held label label printing company in La Crosse, WI, USA, garnered a Best Workplace nod for “Large Companies and Multi-plants.” The converter accomplished this feat during a year in which it underwent a rebranding. “To win this award during a year of significant growth and transformation for Inland is exciting,” explains Jackie Kuehlmann, marketing manager, Inland. “It shows that we’re not only building a prosperous future for our company, but we’re continuing to meet the needs and desires of our employees while doing so. Being a family owned company, we feel we have the ability to uniquely nurture our people. Whether that’s investing back into the company in way of equipment or developing recognition and training programs that foster personal development, it’s ultimately a win-win for our company and our employees.”

Inland also believes that a positive work atmosphere contributes to productive employees. “We respect each person’s contribution and create opportunities for everyone to grow,” adds Kuehlmann. “People appreciate that, and because of it they stay with Inland and truly care about our success as a company.”

Syracuse Label & Surround Printing earned a nod for Best of the Best in the Small Companies category. “It is an honor to receive this award especially because we moved up to the Best of the Best category this year,” says Kathy Alaimo, president. “It is important to us because it sets us apart from our competitors and it is also a great retention and recruiting tool. We respect our employee opinions and expertise in decision-making. This promotes a feeling of pride and a sense of value. Our employees are the reason for our success.”

The company’s employees each have a stake in Syracuse’s success. “We are a 100% ESOP (employee owned), which means that each employee is a stakeholder,” says Alaimo. “This results in a culture that is conducive to positive behavior.  It is in all our best interests to make decisions that will insure our company success.”

Entries are judged on the following criteria: management practices, work environment, training and development, recognition and rewards, workplace health and safety, health and wellness, financial security and work-life balance.

Best of the Best Category Recipients:
Small Companies (up to 100 employees)
Syracuse Label & Surround Printing, Liverpool, NY
Vox Printing, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK

Medium-size Companies (101–250 employees)
Century Box Division Gooby Industries, Methuen, MA
DISC Graphics, Inc., Hauppauge, NY
Hopkins Printing, Columbus, OH
MOSAIC, Cheverly, MD
Suttle-Straus, Inc., Waunakee, WI

Large Companies/Multi-plants (251+ employees)
American Packaging Corporation, Rochester, NY
Smyth Companies, LLC, St. Paul, MN
Weldon, Williams and Lick, Inc., Fort Smith, AR

Best Workplace Category Recipients:
Small Companies (up to 100 employees)
Elk Grove Graphics, Elk Grove Village, IL
Lauterbach Group, Inc., Sussex, WI
Sundance Press, Tucson, AZ
Western Graphics, Inc., St. Paul, MN

Medium-size Companies (101–250 employees)
Boutwell, Owens & Co., Inc., Fitchburg, MA
Communicorp, Columbus, GA
CRW Graphics, Pennsauken, NJ
Midland Information Resources, Davenport, IA
Mossberg & Company, Inc., South Bend, IN
The Ovid Bell Press, Inc., Fulton, MO
Robbie Flexibles, Lenexa, KS
Royle Printing, Sun Prairie, WI
Tailored Label Products, Menomonee Falls, WI
Tap Packaging Solutions, Cleveland, OH
Think Patented, Miamisburg, OH
Thoro Packaging, Corona, CA

Large Companies and multi-plants (251+)
Flower City Printing, Inc., Rochester, NY
Hammer Packaging, Rochester, NY
Inland, La Crosse, WI
The John Roberts Company, Minneapolis, MN
Phototype Engraving, Cincinnati, OH
SmartPractice, Phoenix, AZ