How to Create a GREAT Company Culture

Written by Kim R. Dykman, Purchasing/Supplier Development at Apex Spring & Stamping

“Being a great place to work is the difference between being a good company and a great company.”

– Brian Kristofek, President and CEO, Upshot

Company culture is something we are all aware of, but the term is broad and there are many meanings behind the term. Recently, company culture has been a buzzword and a conversation that is more present than ever. But for the last 40 years, culture has been a focus and a core value for Apex.

Brian Kristofek says, “Being a great place to work is the difference between being a good company and a great company.”

We couldn’t agree more. At Apex, our cultural values revolve around the word GREAT. Initiated by owners Dennis Bhaskaran and Ben Nash, each letter in this word influences our actions, aligns our vision, and pushes us to work with excellence and continuously improve.

But what does each letter mean? Let’s take a minute and break down what “GREAT” actually means.

Grind.

We are committed to on-time delivery and meeting the deadlines for our clients. Everyday we walk in the door, come ready to work hard, work smart, and work with excellence.

Respect.

No matter your role or position on the team, we believe that you always treat others the way you would like to be treated. Through the words we use and the actions we take, we will respect our peers.

Empowerment.

You have been hired because we believe in you. We do not belittle, micromanage, or hover. Instead, we empower one another and trust others to do their job.

Accountability.

Every employee plays an important role in the success of the organization. We believe that because of this, accountability is key. Everyone is held to a high standard and responsible for their actions.

Teamwork.

Apex was not built by one person alone. It’s taken a team and it still does. Every employee is a crucial part to the success of our systems and output. We are dedicated to working together, as a team, to ensure we are delivering excellence.

Each letter is a representation of how APEX was built, how we work, and who we strive to be for our customers. Within our facilities, banners hang with the words GRIND, RESPECT, EMPOWERMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, and TEAMWORK. These are powerful reminders to be our best every day.

From leadership to quality to assembly, these five values set Apex apart. We are not satisfied by being a good manufacturer. We are determined to be GREAT!

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