Best Places to Work 2024: No. 5 Supplier: US Extruders

Westerly, R.I.-based US Extruders was founded in 2018 and has made Plastics News' Best Places to Work list every year since 2019.

What's the secret to its success? A culture that is a combination of "the entrepreneurial spirit of a new organization but with the strength and capabilities of an established market leader, driven by a knowledgeable and experienced team."

"We really are a team that loves to innovate and solve problems," the company said in its Best Places to Work questionnaire.

US Extruders said its passion and excitement are contagious.

"This environment really empowers people to take lead and to come up with unique ideas, but because of the teamwork and the amount of experience, there's a level of checks and balances," the company said.

US Extruders' core values include honesty and integrity, a strong work ethic, exceeding expectations, treating others with respect and fairness, and a commitment to excellence.

"We demonstrate this with all of our interactions with each other, customers and vendors," the company said. "We place a high value on them and lead our people by example."

US Extruders describes itself as "a manufacturer of high-quality, American-made equipment for processing thermoplastics, rubber and silicone."

"We are a motivated and capable supplier committed to providing the highest level of machinery and support to achieve the best possible end product," it added. "Our product is important, but above that is our relationships. We value relationships with our vendors, customers and team members. We understand that without these people, our company is nothing."

Forty percent of its team members are millennials.

Special fun team-bonding activities include paper airplane contests, free lunch on Fridays and holiday catered lunches. Employees receive 10 paid holidays per year, unlimited sick time, and fully paid maternity and paternity leave. There's also adoption benefits, schedule flexibility to attend children's school events, and furniture that is ergonomically correct and/or encourages movement. Employees' family members are invited to workplace celebrations and events.

Education and training are emphasized for its employees.

Team members can take advantage of business education workshops, conferences and work-related courses. Regular workplace-related training for employees includes cybersecurity and job safety.

To prepare employees for leadership roles, US Extruders offers job shadowing, cross-training and support for roles within volunteer organizations outside the company.

Giving back to the community is a focus as well. US Extruders' employees are allowed to participate in community service initiatives and programs during normal business hours without losing pay or vacation time. The company also hosts charitable drives for needed items in the community.

PN previously reported that its Rhode Island facility expanded in 2020, occupying more than 47,000 square feet and running on 100 percent solar power.