Grand Rapids, Mich
Plastics processor
140 employees
At most companies, an employee caught red-handed is in trouble. But not at Custom Profile.
The Grand Rapids, Mich., custom extruder encourages employees to snitch on each other for doing a good job. Workers and supervisors can acknowledge do-gooders on the “caught-red-handed board.”
Doing good is an important part of the culture at Custom Profile, which holds monthly community service events for causes suggested by employees. The company matches the haul from each event, up to $1,000.
So far, Custom Profile has held a chili cook off for the Mental Health Foundation, a donation drive for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, a cookie-baking contest and bake sale for a local cancer center, a silent auction for Relief Against Violent Encounters, and fundraisers for the Red Cross, humane society and Wounded Warrior Project.
Employees tend to do particularly well at anything involving food or competition, according to human resources manager Jenny Redes.
“Employees consistently work on community projects. … And there's also a definite sense of looking out for each other,” said Christa Bird, who holds the title “chief people officer.”
The company, which serves the furniture, appliance and marine markets, is No. 10 on Plastics News' Best Places to Work ranking.
Custom Profile offers access to health and prescription insurance for employees and their dependents, and provides matching contributions to employees' retirement savings accounts. Other benefits include on-site personal development training, stress management workshops, financial education workshops, leadership training and extra time off for employees with perfect attendance.
Bonuses are awarded twice a year and the company keeps everyone up to date by holding quarterly meetings and an annual all-employee meetings to discuss past actions for future plans.
The company was founded 22 years ago by Sam Nicholas. In 2012, it was bought by Blackford Capital LLC of Grand Rapids, and is now legally known as CUP Acquisition LLC doing business as Custom Profile. Nicholas remains active with the company. John Boeschenstein was named CEO in January.
The company employs 140 in Grand Rapids and at a facility in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
