Best Places to Work:​ PolySource

Independence, Mo.-based resin distributor PolySource has taken the top spot for Plastics News' Best Places to Work for 2019 after having won the same honor in 2017.

"No. 1, it's an honor and you're humbled to win or to be part of the group. And No. 2, it challenges you every day to think about how we can make it better," President and CEO Grant John said. "We're learning from those other Best Places to Work companies."

But there's not something in the water at PolySource; it's in the DNA.

"I know that our employees make a difference [and] a huge impact in our company and on our customers and I think our company on our employees because we adhere so closely to that PolySource DNA," John said. "To me, the magic of PolySource is the people and the team and the way that we work together. I think it's absolutely the spirit of sincerity, compassion [and] hard work. We've got our core values. We adhere to those very closely, and we all believe in those."

The leadership regularly meets to discuss successes, challenges, objectives and other key topics of the company.

"We believe that the cohesiveness of our leadership is a really important thing for our business, and that carries throughout our company and I think creates a larger cohesiveness as a company," John said.

One of the pillars of PolySource, which has 19 employees, is giving back to others, with community service, John said.

The employees worked a Habitat for Humanity event for a local retirement community where they removed and hauled away kitchen and bathroom fixtures, filled trucks and then unloaded the items to a storage building. Some employees came from out of town to help with the event.

The company also donates to organizations such as Keep Omaha Beautiful "because it's not just helping in Kansas City where we're located, but it's about helping in those communities where we conduct business," John said.

PolySource started a new initiative this year where employees are each given $500 to donate to the nonprofit of his or her choice. Employees are encouraged to choose a charity with a personal impact, and they are invited to share why it is important to them.

John said the initiative was a "huge success" and something the company plans on continuing in the future.

"We all believe in trying to make an impact firsthand, if possible," he said. "I think that has always been in the spirit at PolySource, whether that be helping a specific family that is going through a challenging time or maybe there is an individual or local cause that we feel called to help with that is part of a natural disaster, whether it be a tornado or flood."

PolySource pays 100 percent of premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

When the Kansas City Royals were in the World Series in 2015, the company sold its four "really good" seats and bought upper-level tickets instead so the whole company could attend a game, John said. This year, each employee was able to pick a four-pack of tickets to attend a Kansas City Chiefs game and sit in the lower level.

Employees are invited to use the company home in Orlando, Fla. The company also provides water park passes and a company vehicle to use while families are in Florida.

Birthdays and anniversaries are acknowledged with cake or doughnuts, lunch and a card. There's even a golf putting course and cornhole board in the common area to relieve stress as well as a grill on the patio for lunch.

The company celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2018. For 2019, the organization plans to focus on the PolySource DNA, the customer and the team.

"I admire the character of the team and their commitment to each other," John said. "I saw it in our sales meeting. I saw it in our Habitat for Humanity volunteering. The way that this team works next to each other, the way they support each other, it's very selfless."

Profiles of the Best Places to Work in the plastics industry will be posted online March 25-29. Click here for links.