3. Bentley Prince Street Inc.

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Bentley Prince Street Inc.


City of Industry


Business:

Manufacturing


Founded:

1979


Local Employees:

510


Premium commercial carpet manufacturer Bentley Prince Street Inc. makes its associates feel like part of a family and a team, both by valuing their opinions and health and encouraging concern for the well-being of the planet.


With an on-staff nutritionist, healthy snacks in the break room and environmental sustainability programs, Bentley Prince employees are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and the wider community.


“What differentiates us from our competition is the people who work for us and the impact of the difference they can make every day,” said Chief Executive Anthony Minite, who joined the company 16 years ago. “We are a strengths-based organization.”


While other California carpet and home-furnishings manufacturers have fled for cheaper locales in the southeastern U.S., Bentley Prince has stayed in Los Angeles County even after it was acquired by Atlanta-based Interface Inc. in 1994. It is now the state’s largest carpet manufacturer and specializes in custom commercial carpets.


“We have remained committed to this state and that’s a powerful statement that motivates our associates and our customers,” said Minite, noting that 80 percent of his workforce is Hispanic. “Equally as powerful are the recycling and other sustainability programs we do to ensure that our operations have as little impact on the environment as possible.”


Among the environmentally conscious programs: using recycled fibers in carpets and recycling product waste from the manufacturing process.


With the support of Interface, Bentley Prince has invested in professional development programs, including one that identifies each worker’s strengths and pairs them with coaches and other mentors. The company also has a detailed process to solicit and reward ideas from every employee to improve operations. There is tuition reimbursement for employees working toward their GED or a college degree.


“This also is a place that encourages and appreciates your input,” said Cynthia Jolinet, a customer development concierge who joined the company more than three years ago. “I don’t feel like I’m working for someone else. I feel like I am working for myself and all of my co-workers here.”


Worker’s compensation costs have fallen by $2 million over the last five years, helped along by a safety and wellness program that includes visits by a massage therapist on alternate weeks. Finishing touches are being put on an on-site fitness facility. Jolinet said she has taken advantage of many of these programs to improve her health and relieve the stress of her desk job, which is working with sales reps to deliver custom orders.


She has lost 10 pounds over the past year alone with the help of the nutritionist, who comes to the plant every Friday. She regularly signs up for massages and is quick to grab the free fruit and whole-grain bars from the break room.


“They offer bi-lingual stress-reduction seminars during work that they cater, to really encourage people to participate,” she said. “They are straight telling you that they want you to take your time, be patient and stay healthy. And you take that practice home.”



Deborah Crowe

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