SOUTHBEND, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Power management company Eaton today announced that its South Bend, Indiana, facility was named one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” in 2014 by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The sites were selected by the Best Companies Group, which oversees programs in 23 states, based on employer benefits and policies, as well as comprehensive employee engagement and satisfaction surveys.
Eaton is one of only 17 winners in the “major companies” category for corporations with at least 1,000 employees in the U.S. It is the second time the South Bend facility has won the award. A ceremony honoring the winners will be held May 1. Eaton and other winners also will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Chamber of Commerce’s BizVoice magazine.
“The Best Places to Work companies, such as Eaton, represent some of our most outstanding Hoosier employers,” said Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “They embrace the idea that a positive work culture, including respect, communication, opportunity and being part of a team, not only makes it a place in which employees want to work but also fuels the success of the company.”
In 1989, Eaton acquired the South Bend plant, which is part of the company’s Vehicle Group business. South Bend produces gear forgings, which three other Eaton facilities use to assemble transmissions for leading global truck manufacturers. It also manufactures precision gear forgings used in off-road and watercraft recreational vehicles.
Employing more than 110 people, the South Bend facility embodies Eaton’s philosophy of “Doing Business Right” by empowering its people, maintaining an inclusive environment and fostering a learning organization. South Bend’s 5 Basic Concepts are:
- Safety first;
- Trust;
- Mutual respect;
- Communication; and
- Involvement
“It is a great honor for our South Bend facility to be selected as one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work,” said David Larkins, plant manager. “We not only are committed to producing high-quality products here for our customers, we also strive to provide a safe and friendly work place for all team members as well as support the communities in which we live and work.”
Last year, South Bend became the first facility to earn Eaton’s “MESH Excellence” designation for its culture, processes, compliance and results. MESH is Eaton’s management system for environment, health, safety and security. South Bend also is part of the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program for exemplary environmental, health and safety performance.
Eaton continues to make strategic investments in the South Bend facility for future growth. In 2013, a cross-wedge-rolling machine was installed. The new machine improves manufacturing efficiency by replacing a process that previously had been outsourced.
The facility contributes nearly $200 million to the local economy through taxes, wages and supplier impact. Eaton’s South Bend employees donated $23,000 in 2013 to local community organizations, and additional company-funded initiatives are in the works.
Eaton is a power management company with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.