The Best Distributors to Work For

By Jack Keough -- Industrial Distribution, 8/1/2000

In our 54th Annual Survey of Distributor Operations, distributors told us once again that finding and keeping qualified people remain major obstacles. Retaining employees has become a task in itself as companies raid one another for talent.

Ferguson Enterprises recently sent a letter to its manufacturers' reps and vendors explaining that it is discouraging this "raiding" of their employees. The company wrote that it spends millions of dollars annually to recruit and train its associates and will protect that investment "in every way legally possible." Charles Banks, the company's president, told Supply House Times that Ferguson is experiencing "more turnover than in the middle of a recession." If this is a problem at Ferguson, an outstanding company to work for, many other distributors must be having the same difficulty.

The Dudley C. Jackson Co. in Helena, Ala., however, is one company that isn't having that problem. Not one employee at that company has resigned or quit since 1991.

In a special report by ID editors, (p.52), Jackson is one of three companies named as "The Best Distributors to Work For." The other companies are J.J. Stangel Co. of Manitowic, Wis. and Cameron & Barkley Co. of Charleston, S.C. Our special report highlights a handful of industrial distributors who are giving employees good reason to stick around.

Ken Jackson, president of Dudley C. Jackson, says that he is able to focus on strategic planning because he is not bogged down spending time looking for replacement workers. Jackson offers flextime for his employees, allowing them to juggle family responsibilities and business. He also gives bonuses, above average wage increases and helps pay for health club memberships.

John Zimmer, president of J.J. Stangel, has established a mentoring program in which established employees "shadow" new hires, helping them adjust to their new company. Nearly half of the employees have been with Stangel for more than 10 years and promotions generally come from within. The company also offers flexible hours, a 401K program and health club/fitness programs.

Employees at Cameron & Barkley (which is in the process of being acquired by Hagemeyer, N.V.) praise the company for providing an "employee participative" culture. The company emphasizes teamwork, strong communication, good benefits, and education opportunities. In addition, the company seeks feedback through employee satisfaction surveys conducted every two years.

Our winners exemplify the outstanding attributes of forward-thinking companies who are striving to retain employees-and profits.