Printing’s Best Workplaces : The Cream of the Crop
Edwards Brothers
Ann Arbor, MI
OK, SO we included two Michigan book printers in our Best Workplaces feature. This should tell you something about book manufacturers in general, for one, and Ann Arbor-based firms...not to mention the greatness of Michigan. To take it a step farther, Edwards Brothers (EB) has long been known for being a high-quality producer of books—since 1893, in fact—and boasts $80 million in annual sales and more than 700 employees.
EB produces web, sheetfed and digital printing for hard- and soft-cover titles. Its sweet spot is medium, short and ultra-short runs for educational publishers, trade associations, authors, scholarly societies, industrial firms and universities, among others.
It has garnered 10 consecutive “Best Workplace” awards from the PIA, which is extremely difficult for a large company spread across several states, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom. With an average length of service checking in at 11 years, 30 percent of workers have been with EB for more than 15 years, and 10 percent have 25-plus years of service.
From a training/development/educational standpoint, the company offers a number of training tracks, including management development, job specific, new hire orientation, safety, lean manufacturing and benefits. Management development, for example, includes seminars/resources based around interview skills, employment laws and performance management.
On the health/safety front, EB provides basic safety courses on an annual basis, augmented by a safety committee that meets monthly to perform audits and address any issues that arise. Its worker's compensation carrier also performs mock audits to ensure that the company is in compliance with safety guidelines.
In terms of promoting healthy lifestyle choices, EB sponsors an annual health fair, where employees can get basic screenings. An online health self-assessment test is part of its annual benefits open enrollment program, providing employees with recommendations for making lifestyle changes. Also of note are fitness challenges for weight loss and walking.
