GIVING BACK
Manufacturers giving back to their community in a multitude of ways.
Manufacturers GIVING BACK
Two years ago, this first-time feature presented a range of manufacturers that have given back to their communities. The return to this feature presents more such examples, including a few unique entries that show the concept can be both creative and flexible. Collectively, they show that there are many ways to do good, and that the rewards for doing so accrue in the human spirit. Finally, it’s never too late to participate, either on behalf of a company or just oneself.
Report: workers who volunteer make for happier employees
A recent study by Ares Management Corporation investigated the effects of workplace volunteer programs, conducting extensive interviews with more than 5,100 employees across five countries. Below are edited excerpts of its findings.
• Employees in volunteer programs are more likely than non-participants to be satisfied with their jobs (79% versus 55%), a 24-point difference; their organization’s culture (75% versus 54%); and the leadership team (71% versus 45%). They are more likely to be satisfied with their professional growth opportunities (70% versus 39%) and their salary and benefits (69% versus 45%). Other disparities were seen for opportunities or professional growth/development (70% vs 39%); developing new skills (72% vs 47%); and organizational leadership (71% vs 45%).
• When asked about volunteering, employees say that it has a positive impact on their capacity for teamwork (73%); yields personal fulfillment (71%); supports positive organizational reputation (71%), lifts employee morale (69%), and promotes their organization’s mission and values (69%).
• Most volunteers (96%) report they take part because they are thankful for what they have, followed closely by those who said it provides a sense of purpose (95%).
• Most employees (70%) want a commitment from executive leadership to the volunteer activities that their organization sponsors. In fact, the main reason (53%) that employees do not participate is because they do not believe that volunteerism is a priority for leadership. Other cited reasons were: concern about taking time off and a sense that the same people always participate (each 50%); that they were not encouraged at their organization (47%); followed by burnout (41%).
• Gen Z employees, i.e., those ages 18 to 26, want to make a positive impact on society and look to their employer to provide opportunities to help make this happen. Their #1 interest is professional skills-based volunteering (43%). Most are interested in volunteering regularly (40%). They are more likely than others to describe career advancement as a benefit of volunteerism (64%); they are more motivated to volunteer because it makes them feel part of a team (56%); and they are more likely to say workplace volunteering has a positive affect on teamwork/comaraderie (78%).
IEWC: offering multiple ways for staffers to give back
An ESOP business, IEWC provides wire, cable and fiber solutions to OEMs, contract manufacturers, assemblers and installers. It also provides multiple ways for employees at its 22 locations in 11 countries to give back locally. Below is an overview of causes the company is involved in, with a focus on one that has been especially beneficial.
IEWC’s Community Connect Program is powered by its employees, and the company believes in making it easier for them to take part.
IEWC provides any employee who wants to give back a paid workday off each year to do that; it offers a donation-matching program that doubles the impact when employees contribute to causes; it donates wire and cable supplies to local high schools, offering materials that encourage hands-on learning for students; its volunteer employees keep an adopted section of local highway clean and safe; and it supports seasonal initiatives, including toy, food, blood, school supply and other drives, where employees contribute items that help enrich opportunities and experiences for underprivileged families.
IEWC made a $20,000 donation to SHARP Literacy (SHARP), a non-profit organization that fosters a love of learning and brightening children’s futures through innovative STEAM-based experiential programs that include science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. Mike Veum, the company president & CEO, fully supports the goals of IEWC’s Community Connect program. Of note, the contribution was not just a matter of writing a check. It was made possible through the generous participation of suppliers and team members in the company’s annual Supplier Summit and Golf Outing in late July.
The donation will directly support SHARP’s educational programs that enrich children’s learning experiences within the community. This year’s event, which has become a much-anticipated annual tradition, fostered networking and collaboration among IEWC’s suppliers and sales teams and reinforced the company’s commitment to giving back to the community.
Dean Stier, the company’s director of communications, said that IEWC has sponsored SHARP Literacy since 2021. Last year, he had the chance to see their work in action during a classroom visit. The fifthgrade students were immersed in coding and constructing small robotic components for a competition. The classroom buzzed with excitement and collabora-
tion as they worked through challenges together. “It was incredible to see the spark of curiosity and creativity in their eyes, qualities that will serve them for years to come,” he recalled.
Stier’s connection to SHARP deepened when Lynda Welsh, the organization’s president, invited him to join their board. While he had participated in charitable efforts in the past, including helping to raise funds for the Special Olympics, this marked his first active leadership role in a community program. As a SHARP board member, he focused on communication strategies, ensuring that school administrators, parents, donors, and students fully understand the value of keeping STEAM-based education in classrooms. Earlier this year, he co-chaired a fundraising event for SHARP, which he described as a deeply rewarding experience.
“Supporting SHARP’s mission has never felt like work. It’s a privilege to contribute to an organization that’s making such a meaningful difference,” Stier said. “Their programs bring learning to life for children, equipping them with skills and confidence that will serve them far beyond the classroom.”
Stier said that at IEWC, “giving back isn’t just something we do, it’s part of who we are.” The Community Connect initiatives reflect the company culture, which emphasizes great people working together to do great things. It’s this culture that has earned the company recognition as a “Best Places to Work” company for five consecutive years. “By standing alongside exceptional organizations like SHARP Literacy, we’re not only advancing our business mission of connection, we’re also helping to build stronger communities and brighter futures.”
IEWC Director of Communications Dean Stier presents a check to Lynda Welsh, president & CEO of the SHARP Literacy program.
Students takes part in the hands-on SHARP program supported by IEWC.
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ACIMAF, Italian Wire Machinery Manufacturers’ Association
ACM Measuring Technology
ADVARIS USA, Inc.
AESA Cortaillod SA
AGAPE Industrial, Inc.
AITMAC, Inc.
Ajex & Turner Wire Technologies
Align Production Systems
Ambica Steel Ltd.
American Furukawa Inc.
Anbao Qinhuangdao International Corp.
Anderson Forest Products
Asaclean-Asahi Kasei Plastics North America
Automated Industrial Machinery Inc. (AIM, Inc.)
AWT Machinery Inc.
Axjo America
Aztech Lubricants
B&H Tool Co.
Bartell Machinery Systems LLC
Baum’s Castorine Co., Inc.
Bechem Lubrication Technology, LLC
Bergandi Marchinery
Betasistemi s.r.l.
Blachford Corp.
Boockmann Engineering GmbH
BOXY S.p.A.
Bozdemir Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti.
Buss AG
Caballe SAU Construcciones
Mecanicas Caballe
Cable Components
Cable Consultants Corp.
Calmec Precision Ltd.
Carris Reels Inc.
Cavallero Plastics Inc.
INTERWIRE Exhibitors
Cemanco LC
Changzhou Haoqiang Cable Co., Ltd.
Changzhou Longdu Electrical Co., Ltd.
Chase Corp.
Cheng I Wire Machinery Co., Ltd.
Chroma Color Corp.
Clifford Machines
Clinton Instrument Co.
CM Furnaces Inc.
CMS Inc.
CN Wire Corp.
Commission Brokers
Condat Corp.
Conductix-Wampfler
Confex Technology Ltd.
Conneaut Industries
Continuus-Properzi S.p.A.
Coremo Ocmea SpA
Corrupal
Coseco SrL
CSM METALURJİ LTD. ŞTİ.
Custom Wire Products
Davis-Standard LLC
DELTA TECNIC
DEM
Die Quip Corp.
DijitalPort Istanbul Dan. Loj. Amb. San. ve Tic. Ltd. Sti
Danyang Windpower Wire & Cable Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Domeks Makine A.S.
Double E Group
DRT Impianti
Dynamex Corp.
E-BEAM Services, Inc.
EBNER Furnaces, Inc.
EKM Steel Reel
Electronic Drives & Controls, Inc.
Elematec
Enercon Industries
ERA Wire Inc.
Erocarb SA
Esteves Group
The George Evans Corp.
EVG
EXEL International
Fabpro Polymers
Fabritex Inc.
Fenn-Torin
FiB Thermal Solutions
Fil-Tec, Inc.
Filtertech, Inc.
FLYMCA
FMS USA Inc.
Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc.
Frekans Makina San ve Tic
A.S.
Freudenberg PM
Fridea SrL
Frigeco USA Inc.
FUHR Rolling Mills
Gem Gravure Co. Inc.
GENDON
GEON Performance Solutions
Glenro Inc.
GMM USA LLC
GMP Slovakia sro
Guelph Twines Ltd.
Guill Tool & Engineering
Guowang Cable Group
Haefely
Hafner & Krullmann GmbH
HARTER GmbH
Henrich Maschinenfabrik GmbH
HONTA Inc.
Howar Equipment Inc.
Huestis Industrial
IDEAL Welding Systems, L.P.
iiM AG measurement + engineering
IMH Wooden Reels
InnoVites B.V.
Inosym Ltd.
International Wire Group, Inc.
Intop International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
ISIS Carbide Tools
Italian Pavilion
Italian Trade Agency
IWMA Ltd.
JAM Industrial Services Inc.
Jiangsu Kemaite Technology Development Co.., Ltd.
Jiangsu Singcheer Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.
Jinhua Yonghe Fluorochemical Co., Ltd.
Joe Snee Associates, Inc.
Joe Tools, Inc.
Jouhsen-bundgens Inc.
Kablomar Kable
Hammaddeleri San Ve Tic. Ltd. Sti.
KabosanTurkey - FBC Yayincilik Ltd. Sti.
Kabmak Muhendislik ve Makina San. Tic. Ltd. Sti.
Kalmark Integrated Systems Ltd.
KEIR Manufacturing, Inc.
King Steel Corp.
Kinrei of America, LLC
KMG Wires Pvt. Ltd.
Koch Machinery & Technology GmbH
Friedrich Krollmann GmbH & Co.
Krueger Steel & Wire
Lämneå Bruk AB
Laserlinc Inc.
Leggett & Platt
Leibinger Inc.
LLFLEX
Lloyd & Bouvier Inc.
Lubrimetal Corp.
Lukas Anlagenbau GmbH
M. Holland Company
~Continued on next page~
INTERWIRE Exhibitors (continued)
Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA, Inc.
Magnetic Analysis Corp.
Magnetic Technologies
Maillefer Extrusion Oy
Mario Frigerio SpA
Markem-Imaje
Mathiasen Machinery, Inc.
Max W. Claas GmbH & Co. KG
Mega Metal
MEKOSAN Group
Melos GmbH
Metal Link Inc.
Metalube UK
Metavan N.V.
MFL S.A.
MFL USA Service Corp.
The MGS Group
Microdia SA
Mid South Wire
Mikrotek Machines Ltd.
Milani srl
Mill Masters, Inc.
Morgan-Koch Corp.
MSS Cable Machinery GmbH
Nanjing Volley Metal
Materials Co., Ltd.
Nano-Dies P/L
Nevatia Steel & Alloys Pvt. Ltd.
Niagara Composites International Inc.
Niehoff Endex North America Inc.
nLine GmbH
Nordson Measurement & Control
Nylon Corporation of America
Oak-trees Inc.
OM Frigerio S.r.L.
Özyaşar Tel ve Galvanizleme
San. A.Ş.
P & R Specialty Inc.
P/A Industries Inc.
Paramount Die
Parkway-Kew Corp.
Phifer Inc.
Pioneer Machinery USA
Polycab USA LLC
Pourtier
Precision Die Technologies
Process Control Corp.
Properzi International, Inc. / Continuus-Properzi, SpA
Proton Products Inc.
PT. Nusantara Electric
PWM Ltd.
Q8Oils
QED Wire Lines Inc.
Quaker Houghton
Radcliff Wire Inc.
Rainbow Rubber & Plastics
Rautomead Ltd.
Reber Systematic GmbH KG
Redex USA
Reel Options by Vandor Corp.
Reel Power Industrial
REELEX Packaging Solutions, Inc.
Refractron Technologies Corp.
RichardsApex, Inc.
Ridgway Machines Ltd.
Roblon
Rockford Manufacturing Group Inc.
Rosendahl Nextrom
Roteq Machinery
SACO AEI Polymers
Saint-Gobain
SAMP USA, Inc.
H. Folke Sandelin AB
Sark Wire Corp.
SARMAKİNA SANAYİ VE
TİCARET A.Ş.
Schlatter North America
Schmidt Maschinenbau GmbH
Schnell Spa
Sensoptic SA
Setic S.A.S - Pourtier
Shanhai Anchors Mold
Shanghai Kechen Wire & Cable Machinery Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Adwantek Technologies Co., Ltd
SIKORA
Simpacks / Pioneer
Sipcon Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Sivaco Quebec Division
Sjogren Industries Inc.
SKET Verseilmaschinenbau GmbH
Sonoco
Spirka Schnellflechter GmbH
Star Materials Co. Ltd.
Steel Cable Reels
August Strecker GmbH & Co. KG
Subec AB
Super Seal Corp. LLC
SWEED Machinery
Swiss Pavilion
Syensqo
TapeFormers Ltd.
Taubensee Steel & Wire
Taymer International
TDC
Teknikor
Teknor Apex
Tektapes
Tensor Machinery Ltd.
Thermcraft
Thermoplastics Engineering Corp.
Traxit North America LLC
Trefimet S.A.
TROESTER GmbH & Co. KG
Truva Brass Rod & Billet
Ulbrich Specialty Wire Products
Ultimate Automation
Uniflow
United Wire Co.
UNITEK Crossheads
Universal Wires LLC
UPCAST OY
UYGAR Makina San. ve Tic. Ltd. Sti.
Vapormatt Ltd.
Vatan Kablo Metal Endustri
Ve Ticaret A.S.
Vikas Spool Private Ltd.
WAFIOS Machinery Corp.
Wardwell Braiding Co.
Weber & Scher Mfg. Co. Inc.
Webster and Horsfall
Weilly Diamond Industrial Co., Ltd.
Windak Inc.
Windmill Associates
Wire & Cable Technology International (WCTI)
Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp.
Wire Association
International, Inc.
Wire Journal International, Inc.
Wire Lab Co.
Wire Machine Systems Inc.
WiTechs B.V.
Witels-Albert USA
WK Industrial Services
Woodburn Diamond Die, Inc.
Woywod - Plasticolor
Yagmura Ajans Mak. Mob. San. ve Tic. Ltd. Sti
Zhejiang Tenglong Stainless Steel Industry Co. Ltd.
Zumbach Electronics Corp.
ZWEZ Surface Products
North America, Inc.
List as of 11/25/24
