Owens Design is a 36-year-old engineering, design and manufacturing company that custom designs products and information systems. The full turnkey service company believes success stems from benefitting its employees and works hard to ensure the culture is centered around them.
Diving Into the Values at Owens Design
Owens Design is focused on providing highly-sophisticated engineering and manufacturing services with employees who represent that high-degree of understanding. The culture at Owens Design is the opposite of boring. It's dynamic and fast-paced. For people who love creativity in engineering and manufacturing, this is THE place to work.
Employees have the opportunity to work in so many applications that are fostered around the world. Everyone is challenged to work 2-3 programs per year to keep the work interesting.
Zippia spoke with VP of Sales Etoli Wolff about the exciting work environment they offer at Owens Design.
Collaborative Culture
Making Sure Every Voice Is Heard
From the CEO to the executive team and beyond, everyone has a voice at Owens Design. In fact, they're encouraged to speak with managers and the executive teams about their ideas and concerns. There's even a suggestion box for employees to use.
"We're not compartmentalized here. Everyone can talk directly to management," Wolff said. That's something that's not usually seen at other companies. In addition to being heard from all levels, the culture at Owens Designs is not politics based.
"We might not agree on everything, but at the end of the day we realize we're all working toward the same goal: the success of the company," Wolff said. "That makes people feel like they belong here. This is their family, too."
At Owens Design, everyone works together not against each other. So in time of need, employees cover for their coworkers who need to take a day off. And just like family, employees attend each other's personal events.
The company hosts quarterly communication meetings about how everyone is performing. Wolff said management is very transparent about the business with the employees. "Everyone is a part of this. Everyone has an impact on company performance," he said.
Celebrating Employees
A Culture Designed for Longtime Employees
When you start your employment at Owens Design, you're never going to want to leave. That's why the retention rate is so high. The average employee at Owens Design has been there for 15 years with some being celebrated for their 30th anniversary with the company. "People tend not to leave,they all feel part of the Owens family" Wolff said.
At Owens Design, employees have a sense of job security because management believes in gradual growth. They are careful about hiring as to avoid having to take drastic financial measures. Many companies grow too fast and then have to adjust when they get into financial trouble. At Owens Design, employees don't have to worry about that.
Employees at Owens Design are celebrated, and celebrated often. Every quarter there is a celebration to acknowledge employee achievements.
Imagine this: a company picnic with all of the employees wearing matching shirts that highlight a certain project achievement. That's right. The company has shirts customized to celebrate each "win." And the employees get to enjoy a picnic.
Owens Design also hosts a lunch or breakfast to celebrate company anniversaries. "We try to combine the seriousness of work with bonding as a team," Wolff said. "Everybody here is all the same. We're all trying to do the best work for the company."
Party Time
Company Strives to Benefit its Employees
Every year around Christmas, Owens Design hosts a holiday party for its employees and their families. It's the biggest event of the year. For the last 20 years, it's been held in the same restaurant that all of the employees have grown to love and cherish. They give out prizes throughout the evening and then employees get to participate in a white elephant gift exchange.
Every summer, the company hosts a summer picnic. It's a full-day event that's enjoyed by employees and families. The picnic is complete with outdoor games, bonding team games, lunch and lots of prizes. "It's a good way for employees to get to know each other better and meet the extended family, it's great seeing the employees kids as they grow year over year" Wolff said. " We hope one day they will become our future employees.''
In addition to all of the fun events, the company works hard to ensure employees have a good work/life balance. They are understanding if personal issues come up, and are flexible with work hours. Some employees can work from home from time to time. As long as the work is getting done, Owens Design is a flexible place to work. " When I started here my colleague next door had his dog with him, another one was bringing his young daughter to the office when school was out "
"We truly believe that one of our main company's purposes is to benefit our employees," Wolff said. "We're constantly making sure it's a good place to work. "
