customers,

past couple of years.

Employees

“By and large, we get very, very high marks in how we go about our business, how we follow through and how, after making the transition, we keep following through,” he said.

Faulhaber would put Laurel’s customer service team up against any in the industry, noting it isn’t there just to take calls but to solve problems.

“The relationship that they have built with our retailers is phenomenal,” he said.

Faulhaber also emphasized that communication between Laurel employees is important. He believes in talking in person rather than over the phone or via email. If he needs to talk to someone, he will go to their office.

He said he is proud of the fact that employees on his team know that if they have a problem, they can come to him to run through their thought process in finding a solution. He wants them to solve the problem.

“That’s how I’m positioning everybody in my organization for the long-term future,” he said.

Laurel wants to promote from within and having employees solve problems and make decisions helps them on their career paths in the company.

“I need people who will develop, who will learn, and that’s what the difference at Laurel is. I have just fallen in love with the company,” he said.

Faulhaber also praised the management styles of both Chairman and CEO Winston Griffin and President David Pearson.