FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
John Sommavilla, 616.975.0081
Cole's Awarded 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For By The Michigan Business and Professional Association
GRAND RAPIDS, April 6, 2010 Cole’s, all long time, stable employer in Muskegon County since 1943 has been named one of “West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” by the Michigan Business & Professional Association. This years winners practice innovative strategies that represent best practices in human resources.
Coles is a customer focused organization committed to quality people, products and processes. We provide very competitive wages structures, and a full selection of benefits as well as an excellent working environment. Cole’s supports the education, training and development of all employees and was one of the first employer’s in the state to utilize the WorkKeys testing program.
Cole’s has very low employee turnover do impart to its thorough practice of ensuring we hire the right person for the job. We have written corporate policies that clearly state job functions and expectations which result in employees fully understanding their job requirements. Communication from the Board Room to the Production Floor and back also plays an important roll in retaining our work force, and as such, is part of our organizations strategic goals. We have implemented numerous communication tools such as a quarterly newsletter and town hall meetings, bi-weekly team meetings, an idea sharing program and an employee web site.
Community involvement is supported by Cole’s. Our employees engage in numerous charitable organizations such as Big Brothers and Sisters, March of Dimes, United Way, Taste of Muskegon, Muskegon Rescue Mission, and Ronald McDonald House, just to name a few.
About the Michigan Business & Profession Association
Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 200,000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA).
Cole’s Human Resource department reports directly to the CEO/President. The department participates in top executive meetings, plays a central role on our Strategic Objectives Committee and is a key component of our planning process.
About Cole’s
Founded in 1943, Cole’s Quality Foods is a privately-held, Michigan-based category leader in frozen bakery products. In 1972, Cole’s invented the first frozen garlic bread and created a category that generates more than $300 million in sales annually. Today, the Company produces a complete line of frozen garlic breads, garlic toasts, garlic breadsticks, Cheesesticks and Pizzasticks. Cole’s is an opportunity driven and adaptable organization that provides “WOW” products. The company employs more than 200 people in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, Michigan and in North Liberty, Iowa.
To learn more about Cole’s, go to the company’s web site at www.coles.com
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