Ingredients for a Best Place to Work: Employees at Counselor Top 40 supplier Bag Makers (asi/37940) rate the company highly for job satisfaction and being treated with respect. It lines up with the fact that a number of employees have been with the supplier for more than 25 years, which CEO Maribeth Sandford says contributes to a “true family feel.” “What stands out about our workplace is the commitment our employees have to each other and to our customers,” says Sandford, a previous Counselor Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. She notes that employees will help other departments on busy days, organize fundraisers for colleagues in need and participate in events like onsite blood drives.

Bag Makers (asi/37940) has costume contests every year for Halloween.

Top Benefits & Perks: Holiday traditions are part of the fabric of Bag Makers. Halloween is huge, with prizes for both costume and pumpkin-carving contests. Employees are treated to an annual Thanksgiving meal, take part in the popular Secret Santa and participate in fun themed days throughout the year. They also enjoy a robust set of employee benefits (medical, dental, etc.) along with access to voluntary benefits such as legal services and pet insurance. Safety is a top priority for the company, demonstrated by an active Safety Committee, ongoing training programs, an annual Safety Week and opportunities for employees to participate in first aid and other skill-building sessions.

Parting Tip: “Treat people with respect, and recognize effort rather than just outcomes,” Sandford says.

If Bag Makers Were a TV Show, It Would Be The Great British Bake Off. “Every day brings a new set of challenges and opportunities,” says Sandford, “with team members supporting each other and taking pride in doing quality work.”