Press Release
June 6, 2004
Graniterock Ranked Top Workplace By Largest Association Of Human Resource Professionals
Local Company Receives Top 25 Ranking on "Best Place to Work" Listing
In the first annual evaluation of America’s Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America (firms employing fewer than 1,000 people), Graniterock was named number ten. The ranking is a joint venture of the Great Places to Work Institute, Inc. (GPTWI) and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). The list, which ranks the best 25 small companies and the 25 best medium sized companies to work for in America was compiled through extensive research and analysis of human resource practices, and ranking of employee survey data from more than 400 companies nationwide. The announcement was made Monday. Vice President Shirley Ow and Josh Winans, both from Graniterock’s Human Resource Services department, were in New Orleans attending SHRM’s national convention when the exciting announcement was made.
Graniterock Team Members say Graniterock is a great place to work for three key reasons: self-leadership, personal growth opportunity, and people caring company. Other reasons include the Company’s dedication to product and service improvement and a challenging work environment.
Self-leadership means that Graniterock People own responsibility for conducting and improving their own work without a manager looking over their shoulder. Self-leadership also means that individuals make their own decisions about how to conduct and improve their work. Managers play a supporting or coaching role rather than directing how work is done. Graniterock People make their own decisions about enhancing skills and knowledge through training. Graniterock offers more than fifty in-house training courses in addition to supporting tuition reimbursement for individuals attending colleges or universities. Graniterock also received high rankings because the Company does a strong job of caring about people. Managers approach people concerns and needs with a commitment to “doing what’s right” rather than relying on extensive procedures or policies that treat all people the same. Graniterock People also like the fact that customers appreciate the Company’s attention to providing high quality products and services, and even provides every customer with a satisfaction guarantee. As each individual grows his or her skills, the work also remains challenging and interesting.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association comprised of human resource professionals and managers. Representing more than 180,000 individual members, the Society’s mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most comprehensive professional development resources available. As an influential voice, the Society’s mission is also to advance the human resource profession to ensure that HR is recognized as an essential partner in developing and executing organizational strategy. Founded in 1948, SHRM currently has more than 500 affiliated chapters within the United States and has members in more than 100 countries.
The Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. is a research and management consultancy based in the U.S. with International Affiliate offices throughout the world.
“Using statistical analysis, the authors have found that great places to work are environments in which people are given significant authority and responsibility for not only how their work is performed but also for the company’s overall success. The bottom line is people feel that they can and are making a difference,” said Bruce W. Woolpert, Graniterock president & CEO. “Some people summarize all of this by saying that a business is an ‘empowering culture,’ but I think it can be more simply said that everyone is a member of a single team with each person owning responsibility for overall company results. It’s a kind of family environment at work that’s focused on winning in the marketplace,” Woolpert added.
Granite Rock Company was founded on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1900. The Company celebrated its 100th Anniversary in February, 2000 with a gala event held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Graniterock has operations in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Salinas, Hollister, Aromas, Felton, San Jose, Redwood City, and So. San Francisco. The company’s Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports and private commercial and residential projects. Graniterock has also been the recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Governor’s Golden State Quality Award.
For more information, contact:
Bruce W. Woolpert, Graniterock, President & CEO, 831.768.2001
Shirley Ow, Graniterock, Vice President, Human Resources, 831.768.2062
In the first annual evaluation of America’s Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America (firms employing fewer than 1,000 people), Graniterock was named number ten. The ranking is a joint venture of the Great Places to Work Institute, Inc. (GPTWI) and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). The list, which ranks the best 25 small companies and the 25 best medium sized companies to work for in America was compiled through extensive research and analysis of human resource practices, and ranking of employee survey data from more than 400 companies nationwide. The announcement was made Monday. Vice President Shirley Ow and Josh Winans, both from Graniterock’s Human Resource Services department, were in New Orleans attending SHRM’s national convention when the exciting announcement was made.
Graniterock Team Members say Graniterock is a great place to work for three key reasons: self-leadership, personal growth opportunity, and people caring company. Other reasons include the Company’s dedication to product and service improvement and a challenging work environment.
Self-leadership means that Graniterock People own responsibility for conducting and improving their own work without a manager looking over their shoulder. Self-leadership also means that individuals make their own decisions about how to conduct and improve their work. Managers play a supporting or coaching role rather than directing how work is done. Graniterock People make their own decisions about enhancing skills and knowledge through training. Graniterock offers more than fifty in-house training courses in addition to supporting tuition reimbursement for individuals attending colleges or universities. Graniterock also received high rankings because the Company does a strong job of caring about people. Managers approach people concerns and needs with a commitment to “doing what’s right” rather than relying on extensive procedures or policies that treat all people the same. Graniterock People also like the fact that customers appreciate the Company’s attention to providing high quality products and services, and even provides every customer with a satisfaction guarantee. As each individual grows his or her skills, the work also remains challenging and interesting.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association comprised of human resource professionals and managers. Representing more than 180,000 individual members, the Society’s mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most comprehensive professional development resources available. As an influential voice, the Society’s mission is also to advance the human resource profession to ensure that HR is recognized as an essential partner in developing and executing organizational strategy. Founded in 1948, SHRM currently has more than 500 affiliated chapters within the United States and has members in more than 100 countries.
The Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. is a research and management consultancy based in the U.S. with International Affiliate offices throughout the world.
“Using statistical analysis, the authors have found that great places to work are environments in which people are given significant authority and responsibility for not only how their work is performed but also for the company’s overall success. The bottom line is people feel that they can and are making a difference,” said Bruce W. Woolpert, Graniterock president & CEO. “Some people summarize all of this by saying that a business is an ‘empowering culture,’ but I think it can be more simply said that everyone is a member of a single team with each person owning responsibility for overall company results. It’s a kind of family environment at work that’s focused on winning in the marketplace,” Woolpert added.
Granite Rock Company was founded on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1900. The Company celebrated its 100th Anniversary in February, 2000 with a gala event held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Graniterock has operations in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Salinas, Hollister, Aromas, Felton, San Jose, Redwood City, and So. San Francisco. The company’s Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports and private commercial and residential projects. Graniterock has also been the recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Governor’s Golden State Quality Award.
For more information, contact:
Bruce W. Woolpert, Graniterock, President & CEO, 831.768.2001
Shirley Ow, Graniterock, Vice President, Human Resources, 831.768.2062
