Techmer encourages an 'open style'

The No. 13 company in Plastics News' Best Places to Work ranking is making its second appearance on the annual list: Techmer PM LLC, which also ranked in 2014.

The compounder in Clinton, Tenn., is by far the largest company to make the list, with about 600 employees. It's hard to get that many people to agree on anything, but apparently the lion's share of Techmer's workers believe the company is doing something right.

“Our culture is meant to be very personal. We encourage an open style,” said founder, Chairman and CEO John Manuck. “A key part of this philosophy is one of collaboration. It's a creative environment that encourages communication.”

That kind of environment doesn't happen by accident, and Techmer places great importance on hiring the right people. Manuck looks for honesty and integrity in potential hires, as well as people who are — or at least have the potential to be — good communicators.

Every year, Techmer takes part in a “collegiate mixer” in which the company interviews potential employees from 17 universities around the country. Techmer flies the top 10 or 12 candidates to its Tennessee site for a full day of interviews. Then Manuck hosts an evening dinner party for the students at his home.

“It's important to see people in a social environment,” he said. “These are engineering and science [students], but can they relate to other people? If they can't do that internally, how will they do it in the supply chain and with customers?”

Techmer identifies high-performance and high-potential people and then looks for other qualities, Manuck said: “Are they fun to work with? Are they people who want to work in teams, collaborate and share? Do they have a certain level of self-confidence?”

That kind of hiring gives the company a strategic advantage, Manuck said, but also, “It's more fun to work in that kind of environment.” Given how much time people spend at work, “you want an environment that lifts you up and makes you feel positive.

“Imagine grumpy people snapping at each other. Why would anyone want to work in that type of environment?” he said.

Manuck is preparing for what could be a “seismic generational shift” in his company's staff, he said.

“I started over 30 years ago. The company's population has aged. In a few years, some key people most likely won't be here. So we're getting the next generation ready,” he said, referring to family members who are already involved, and employees in the company's leadership development program.

Techmer and its employees support numerous nonprofit agencies, community programs and schools. Employees can get paid time off for charity work. As the company encourages strong community ties, it also promotes strong family ties by holding events like picnics and a Halloween haunted trail for employees' children. It reimburses employees up to $150 annually for a gym membership — and $150 for each of their dependents.

Techmer provides annual physicals for manufacturing employees at no cost.

It has a gainsharing program that encourages employees to reduce scrap and customer returns. The savings gained are shared with workers. The company has 53 different recycling streams, and a team researching more opportunities.

Plastics News isn't the only one to recognize Techmer with awards. The compounder received the East Tennessee College Alliance's 2015 Corporate Award for promotion and support of non-traditional, working students. Techmer also won the Large Business Excellence Award from the Anderson County (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce in 2014.

By the middle of this year, the company expects to open a plant in New Castle, Del. The $2 million project involves renovating a building, relocating operations from 20 miles away in Aston, Pa., and adding new manufacturing and laboratory equipment.

By the fourth quarter, Techmer will have added 2,000 square feet of space to its Polytest independently certified testing laboratory.

Techmer makes its value-added masterbatches and engineered compounds for the plastics and fiber industries at seven production facilities across the country. It also has offices in Brazil and Germany.

Find an overview of the selection process and links to other Best Places to Work here.