Founded in August 2017 by former American Kuhne Inc. employees, US Extruders Inc. develops custom single-screw extruder solutions. The employees are "dedicated, energetic and committed problem-solvers," according to its Best Places to Work survey.
Westerly, R.I.-based US Extruders' environment promotes "open communication and teamwork." Lunch is provided every Friday as an informal opportunity to communicate, bond and casually discuss business. Biweekly roundtable meetings give everyone the chance to discuss challenges that get in the way of performance.
The company's infrastructure technology structure was set up to support employees' lives outside of work; there is no internal server, and technology doesn't tie employees to the building, which is run on 100 percent solar power.
In addition to the building having solar power, employees can charge their electric cars. US Extruders is also involved in Recycle Across America and its local resource recovery department.
Mentoring and training a new, younger workforce is emphasized.
"We work with our local chamber of commerce and high schools to provide internships and have hosted students for on-site seminars on manufacturing, engineering and plastics. In an industry predominantly employing baby boomers, nearly 40 percent of our staff are millennials," according to the survey.
For stress relief and team bonding, employees play games and have competitions such as paper airplane flying contests and building the tallest tower out of spaghetti.
US Extruders made the Best Places to Work list in 2019 at spot No. 4. It has 25 employees.
"We understand that our people make the difference and that they are our most valuable resource," the questionnaire stated.