ALPS Inspection employees were already able to work from home pre-pandemic, so when COVID-19 forced companies to temporarily close and teams to work remotely, they continued business as usual.
"If anything, the challenges from the pandemic have brought us closer as a company. With the increase in non-in-person communication and the need to almost over-communicate were crucial to ensuring we were still being effective in our roles," said Chris Howard, ALPS engineering manager.
Founded in 1974, ALPS manufactures systems for nondestructive leak testing of containers and packaging. The Oak Creek, Wis.-based company joined the TASI Group in 2000.
Employees said they enjoy the flexibility, work-life balance, family-type environment and constant feedback with a clear path of career progression. Fun activities include Halloween costume contests, March Madness, group outings at local sporting events, service awards and appreciation picnics.
"As part of our culture, we really strive to make sure employees feel appreciated and know their importance to the organization," Howard said.
The ALPS team is involved with community service and charitable initiatives, including material and financial donations to local school robotics and STEM programs and a giving tree during the holidays with the nonprofit organization Pathways to Home.
"I think having won back-to-back years really shows that what we have grown and developed at ALPS really over the past decades. … We continue to refine and look for ways to both grow our employees and find ways to better serve our amazing customers," Howard said. "Winning this award really goes a long way of showing the plastics industry of what we already knew, that ALPS is a great company to work with and for."
