You could call it an initiation ritual. Every time a new employee is hired at Neutral Posture Ergonomics in Bryan, Texas he or she is immediately fitted for a new chair. Color and style are their choice, but the comfort-factor is mandatory. "If they want to pick a chair with a list price of $1,800 they can," says Rebecca Boenigk, the furniture company's founder and CEO. "It doesn't matter to me as long as everyone is comfortable."
In fact, Boenigk and her mother started the company 13 years ago with the same desire to make other workplaces more supportive – in the area of the lumbar region. In the struggle against strained backs and work-related soreness, Boenigk has built an ergonomically friendly business that does more than just please employees. "We made over 75,000 chairs last year," Boenigk says. "And revenues were about $17.5 million."
Those figures are not bad for a company with only 95 employees. Boenigk attributes the company's success to the satisfaction of the people who work there. "It is very important for us to show that everybody out there is equally valued," she says. "No one is more important to the organization than anyone else."
Need proof? Check out NPE's quarterly profit-sharing plan, which is doled out equally among all employees from the factory workers to the CEO. "My check is the same amount as the person who puts the chairs in the boxes," Boenigk says. "So any time there is an opportunity to save money, employees know there is a direct benefit to them. Then they start looking at the process very differently."
That pride in the production process is also flanked by loyalty, according to Human Resources Director Konny Goff. Through fully covered health insurance, as well as life insurance, disability coverage, dental and eye plans, employees feel that the company takes care of them. "You can walk around and feel the happiness and enthusiasm that people have," Boenigk says. "Visitors make comments about how many people are smiling. It's a very different type of place to work."
Bernadette Bruck, who has worked in the company's factory for four years, says that employee loyalty is strong at all levels. "People stick with their job here because they're being treated fairly and being shown appreciation," she says. "That makes you want to come to work and do your job better."
Bruck and other employees enjoy monthly recognition through company-catered birthday and anniversary celebrations. At that time, the entire company comes together to share the personal and professional milestones that coworkers have reached. What's more, the parties are an inexpensive way to boost morale – and that has led to reduced absenteeism and a decrease in productivity lost from absent workers, according to Goff.
Similarly, Boenigk sponsors Exceptional Service Person (ESP) awards every month. Two employees who have done something special for a customer or a coworker are awarded with $50 gift cards. "We want to express that when you do your particular job well, it affects everyone, whether that's improving safety in the workplace or building customer loyalty," Boenigk says
The company also values giving back to the community. In addition to corporate sponsorships and donations to more than 100 charities in the area, NPE employees are encouraged to volunteer. For every 20 hours of time spent giving back to churches, schools or other organizations, employees are awarded with one paid day off. But while the incentive is there, Boenigk says it's just the tip of the iceberg. "Most employees take advantage of it, and then they get involved in their organization even more," she says. "Eventually, they do the work and they don't even ask for the days off."
Company: Neutral Posture Ergonomics, Inc.
Web site: www.igoergo.com
Industry: Furniture manufacturing
Location: Bryan, Texas
Number of employees: 95
Sales: $17.5 million
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