PPB June 2015

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JUNE 2015 • PPB • 33
Greatest Companies To Work For 2015
Tina Berres Filipski is editor of PPB.
WHAT EMPLOYEES SAY ABOUT SHOWDOWN
DISPLAYS (UPIC: SHOWDOWN): “Showdown
has established a list of core values [Passion
for Excellent, Accountability, Respect,
Innovation, Teamwork and Integrity] which
everyone in the company, from new hires to
owners, are expected to live by. They have
proven that they not only talk the talk but
walk the walk. I find that extremely
respectable in a company and employer,” says
three-year employee Kayla Nevala.
“Showdown Displays is the best company I’ve
ever worked for,” says Karen Wagner, a three-
year employee. “They take such great care of
their employees and truly value our contribu-
tions. I’m honored to be part of this organi-
zation.” Four-year employee Ryan Lester
says, “It is rewarding to work for a company
where every employee cares.”
HOW IT DIFFERENTIATES ITSELF AS AN
EMPLOYER: “They actually care and value who
you are and what you do,” says Nevala. “Even
though we are a mid-sized company, you do
not feel like a number. It is a very warm
atmosphere where we are all on a first-name
basis.”Wagner adds, “Showdown is continually
working with us to create new products and
innovations, and keep us up-to-date on com-
pany progress and challenges. They are con-
tinually working to improve our processes in
order to keep our company at the top.”
THE INSIDE STORY | The company believes in sharing its success with employees through profit sharing,
and recognizes successes with monthly, quarterly and annual awards, catered lunches, a recognition program
and logoed apparel. It also provides an opportunity for employees from a variety of departments to come
together as a group to brainstorm new product ideas. The process, called Operation Innovation, has resulted
in a number of internally designed products being added to the line since January 2013. In addition to on-
going employee training, the supplier has instituted an intensive one-week training program for all new hires
that involves education on core values, company history, safety, ergonomics and the production process
including product development, marketing, sales, customer care, production graphics, production, finishing
and shipping. It ensures that employees see how they directly contribute to the company’s success and
heightens their product knowledge with customers.
Showdown Displays demonstrates its commitment
to employees through profit-sharing, as well as
through awards and team events, a recognition
program and opportunities for team members to
come up with innovative ideas for the supplier’s
product line.
Top Executive
John Bruellman, CEO
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Type of Company
Supplier
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Location
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
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Website
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Year Founded
1999
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Total Employees
335
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Company Motto
On Target, On Time
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Perks
College tuition
reimbursement
On-site fitness center/
exercise classes
401k matching program
Profit sharing