Success depends on core values

Commitments to education and community involement are fundamental to business success

By -- Industrial Distribution, 7/1/2000

A commitment to key values lies at the heart of not only the free enterprise system, but also the development of this country and the success of every individual business. At Weiler Corporation, we work hard to incorporate our core values throughout our company culture.

Our coworkers form the cornerstone of our value system. Together we are focused on providing solutions to the marketplace. Whether the solution is in the form of performance products, training, application or design engineering, sales and marketing support or customer service, we have found that the best solutions come from the individuals most familiar with the challenge. Our coworkers are responsible for understanding and exceeding their customer's expectations and our value system requires every member of our team to continually improve until we have accomplished that goal. That value system stands behind our ISO 9001 certification.

The coworker value system requires a significant investment in education. Our coworkers spend five to 12 percent of their time training, which we believe teaches them to think in new ways so that they can continually improve their performance.

We are also committed to having every coworker understand the economics of our business and making each person aware of the financial impact they have on the success of our business. We reinforced this value system by openly sharing the realities, or gains and pains, of the business with each coworker. Our "Gainsharing" Program provides focus and rewards coworkers on improvements in productivity, quality, customer service and controllable cost reductions.

Our educational value system extends beyond our coworkers into the community. We participate in a School-to-Work Partnership Program by offering job shadowing, faculty and college student internships, annual scholarships and apprenticeships through the local vocational-technical school.

Giving back to the community in which we prosper through strong community involvement is another of our core values. Our coworkers recognize the importance of responsible citizenship and are actively involved in our community. We are fortunate to have coworkers committed to numerous causes, including the local adopt-a-highway program, American Cancer Society, the United Way, membership on local hospital, environmental and government boards, and representation at local business and educational organizations. Our special concern is for the local trade and sheltered workshop for the physically and mentally challenged members of our community. We support this work through volunteerism and financial contributions, as well as utilizing their services.

When ASMMA introduced the Value-Added Partner Program last year, we knew we were on the right track. With the support of our distributor partners, we continuously promote value-added to the marketplace. Our excellence in manufacturing and service, supported by our outstanding network of distributor partners, provides the industrial market segment with something our country was founded on hundreds of years ago: core values.

Many business books are written on core values. Our recognition by the association, this millennium year, is a tribute to our coworkers and their commitment to embracing the core values that are fundamental to the free enterprise system.

Dick Gommel is president/COO of the Weiler Corp of Cresco, Pa.. The Weiler Corp. was awarded an American Eagle Award in May from the American Supply & Machinery Manufacturer's Assn. for its commitment to community and corporate education, and for its open book management and gainsharing programs.