Compared to Arizona Tile, all competitors barely scratch the surface of providing the best surfaces in the industry. That may have something to do with the people who work there. From providing excellent service to being incredibly passionate about their work, the ownership and employees of Arizona Tile want to create a workplace environment that is supportive and family oriented. Because of this, it's a company that once you've worked there, you'll never want to leave. In part, this is due to the company's dedication to providing a space that is welcoming of everyone and their ideas. The company was founded with the idea that goodwill toward others is good business. Arizona Tile believes that if you take care of employees first, then they'll take care of customers.
In 1977, John Huarte, former professional football player and 1964 Heisman Trophy winner, and his wife, Eileen, started Arizona Tile. The company is truly family-owned, as 2 of Huarte's sons and a son-in-law are part of the leadership of the company. Additionally, the senior level team at Arizona Tile is very visible and can be found walking through the various locations more often than not, engaging in conversation with employees and customers, and making sure that everyone is welcome. This family-owned company provides ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone and quartz, for residential and commercial surfaces. Since its inception, the company has grown to 28 locations in 8 states throughout the United States, and also prides itself on its invaluable long-standing relationships with international industry manufacturers and quarries. "We're very well-recognized, but not well-known. It's due to our humble culture. Most surfaces you find in commercial places, we're supplying them," said Sonya Cathey, Human Resources Director. "We're doing things no one else is in this business."
Diving Into the Values at Arizona Tile
If you searched for the heart and soul of Arizona Tile, you'd find the company runs on four essential values. Every employee lives and breathes these values every day:
When you come to Arizona Tile, you're going to find that the executive team and your teammates are very trusting. And, you will be trusted to bring forth new ideas and to handle projects and responsibilities as you grow and develop your skills at Arizona Tile. With this, the company trusts that you will uphold its values of integrity and honesty. Because this is a supportive family environment standing by you, everyone really wants you to succeed.
Anyone that is interested in joining Arizona Tile, should know that it's assumed you're going to work hard. But they don't expect you to do it alone. When it comes to the company, everyone works hard together. If you haven't already guessed, teamwork is kind of a big deal here. For this reason, everyone is really focused on treating everyone with dignity while cultivating relationships that are closer to family than anything else. Which is why many employees have been there for as long as 35+ years. It's not just another job. It truly is a family. Arizona Tile is a place where your hard work and dedication is truly valued.
The Family at Arizona Tile
We Are Family
"People don't feel like this is a job. They feel like they belong here," said Cathey. The employees know they're truly valued at Arizona Tile, which makes them more invested in how the business works and seeing that the business succeeds. "When you feel like you belong, you develop an invested interest and are willing to go that extra mile for the company and your teammates," she added.
"It's a very collaborative environment. I've worked here for 13 years and I can't imagine working anywhere else," said Adria Harrison, Director of Marketing. It's the pride of being a part of a team that keeps people around for the long haul. And when you're on the team at Arizona Tile, you move together in bad times and good. "We always look out for one another. We know we have to get through it together," said Cathey.
The company promotes an entrepreneurial spirit. Each location is encouraged to build the business in their market in their own way. And if they need help or want to provide their opinion, they're encouraged to turn to senior level executives for support. At Arizona Tile, employees take pride in knowing they're not going to be treated like another number.
"Of all the things that get people to stay at a company, it is not necessarily the boss nor the money, but instead it is having a friend at work," said Cathey. And at Arizona Tile that's exactly what you get - - friendship and support. They believe that good people will bring in other good people, which is why referrals from employees of friends and family to potentially work at Arizona Tile are encouraged. "I wouldn't hesitate to bring my son here to work," said Harrison. Not only is the company family-owned, but it's an environment within its walls that wants everyone's family to succeed.
The Recognition at Arizona Tile
Celebrate Good Times Together
Every quarter the company comes together to recognize employee anniversaries for those who have been there 20 years or longer. The employees are celebrated with a very nice lunch or dinner and they are recognized with a gift. Even the company's president speaks at these events to recognize the employees. This personal touch feels like a family reunion and means a lot to the employees because you don't see that at every company. Those employees who haven't been there for 20 years yet still get recognized, and still receive a gift and are recognized on an individual level. The company really knows how to show they respect the time the employees have given.
When it comes to celebrating success, the company does it as a team. It's a collaborative celebration. No single person takes all the credit and no one is left out. Consequently, at Arizona Tile, when one person succeeds everyone succeeds and celebrates success together. But that's not to say there isn't room for personal successes. Many people within the company have moved from one branch to another, or have even switched departments. Being able to learn new skills and adapting to a new environment is something that is highly celebrated and encouraged at Arizona Tile.
The Benefits at Arizona Tile
The Company That Takes Care of You
The company supports you throughout various stages of your life and has designed benefits to do the same. On the topic of having a work/life balance, Arizona Tile wants you to spend time with your family. When Cathey first started at Arizona Tile, her son was 8-years-old. A large portion of her role involved work that she couldn't do over the phone, but instead had to be done in person. When working with a company across the country, that obviously meant her job came with a lot of travel.
However, the company took into account her young family. "They never expected me to travel extensively," she said. "They did not put those demands on me. So now that my son is 21-years-old, I feel like it's my turn to contribute to this family. Now I dictate my travel so other individuals can spend time with their younger families."
"There is flexibility to the work, depending on where you are in your life and our employees know that. You take care of your family and the Arizona Tile Family will take care of you," Harrison said.
