Processor No. 1 Advanced Pedestals Inc. | Best Places to Work 2025

According to Gainesville, Texas-based Advanced Pedestals Inc., the company's goal is to offer an employee experience that equips individuals with the skills and opportunities for success.

A new point-based attendance policy includes an incentive with the opportunity to win a quarterly $1,000 bonus for employees with perfect attendance and $500 for employees with three or fewer points. The attendance incentive drawings occur on the first Monday of the month following the previous quarter.

Employees with perfect attendance at the end of the year also receive a $500 bonus in their final paycheck.

Safety is also rewarded.

"Over the last few months, we have added safety advocates to various plant departments. Our safety advocates are focused on preventing injuries and identifying areas of risk. All of them have completed their OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certifications. We are always encouraging any and all employees who have an interest in continuing their knowledge in safety awareness to complete either certification, paid for by the company," the custom rotational and injection molder said. "There is no such thing as too much awareness."

Individual achievements are acknowledged through the Bright Idea and GAS Card programs, which reward staff members for their "out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving initiatives."

"Employees recognized for the GAS Card receive a gift card of their choice and recognition from their peers. Bright Idea awards apply to employees who present an idea to improve efficiency, processes or any other suggestions that fall within the continuous improvement category. These employees receive a $500 bonus and recognition from their peers," API said.

Professional and career development are continuously improved to ensure future managers are better prepared for their roles. In fact, five API employees on the management team, including Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Williams, started on the plant floor.

"We know the future of API depends on developing skills and ensuring tribal knowledge remains intact. Employees reach their true potential when they have the opportunity for growth. We want to ensure an opportunity for all employees, so providing financial assistance for employees who wish to continue their education in any field, not just specific to their current role, is essential. The performance review process allows supervisors and employees to identify any skills gaps and set goals for the following year," the company said.

There's time to let loose, too.

API introduced break room karaoke in 2024 "to have fun while appreciating different cultures and musical genres." At an "eclipse party" in April 2024, the team and their families gathered in the parking lot with solar eclipse glasses. The human resources department introduced a new addition to the beat-the-heat treats: freshly squeezed lemonade.

Also in 2024, API partnered with the Texoma Workforce Commission and participated in the SEAL (Summer Earn and Learn) Program, which offers job opportunities for students with disabilities aged 14-22. API provided an eight-week job assignment for a student with autism and shared its manufacturing knowledge and skills.

Other initiatives for the company to give back have included working with the parks and recreation department to repaint playground equipment and shipping 540 cases of water to support linemen restoring power after Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall in July 2024.

API ranks No. 34 in Plastics News' most recent ranking of rotational molders with $15.9 million in related sales.