A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO After a successful 2020 year that was nonetheless defined by tremendous uncertainty, in 2021, Superior Group of Companies (SGC) focused on solidifying how we operate in the “new normal” and expanding upon our successes. By investing in our workforce, customers, partners, suppliers, and communities, we were able to grow and thrive — even as the ground continued to shift beneath us. Carrying over from 2020, we prioritized employee safety as the pandemic and its ripple effects continued to impact the globe. The devastating impact of COVID-19 on my own family inspired me to increase the vaccination rate among our employees. SGC’s leaders encouraged all who were able to take the potentially life-saving step of getting vaccinated and backed up this commitment with cash wellness incentives, vaccine drives, and full healthcare coverage of vaccinations for employees and their dependents. To further build workforce loyalty and attract new employees, we enhanced our already competitive benefits and wellness programs, offered unique training and development opportunities, and encouraged regular, open engagement with company leaders. Perhaps more importantly, we stayed true to our values by demonstrating compassionate support for our employees and their families in times of need. These efforts, as well as our sales growth, contributed to our 32.5% increase in global headcount in 2021. As detailed later in this report, our approach has been validated externally by the numerous company and workplace awards we received last year.
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Pressure on our global supply chain reverberated through every part of our business last year and has continued to impact the world in new and surprising ways. At SGC, our employees have gone above and beyond to manage these challenges. As a result of their dedication, we have been able to meet and exceed customer expectations throughout the past year. Beyond our direct company operations, we continue to drive accountability across our global network of suppliers. We stand by our commitment to programs and policies that ensure responsible sourcing and align with the increasing global focus on respecting human rights throughout the supplier ecosystem.
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We also live by the mantra that managing environmental impact is a responsibility every individual, company, and nation should embrace. Our product portfolio includes a growing number of sustainable offerings, including fabrics made from recycled bottles and other innovations to reduce plastic waste. Our operations continue to seek ways to manage our environmental footprint. We endeavor to meet all challenges in the coming year with the creativity, resiliency, and spirit of collaboration that have successfully carried us through the past century. We are proud of our ongoing investments in sustainability and continue to identify areas where we can increase our focus in the future. We look forward to sharing updates on our progress with you.
Michael benstock CEO, superior group of companies 7
