Fortune ranks SEL 12th best workplace

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) last week was named to Fortune’s list of 15 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production, ranking number 12. This is the second year in a row the company has earned the title. The company last year was in the ninth slot.

A news release issued by SEL described the process and qualifications for making the list.

“The 15 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production rankings are based on feedback from employees from U.S. manufacturing and production companies,” it stated. “The survey consists of 58 questions rating how frequently employees experience the attributes that make a workplace great.”

More than 2,450 SEL employees responded to the survey, and the company received ratings higher than 90 percent in every category, which included a safe workplace, layoffs only as a last resort, community contributions, being proud to tell others they work there, facilities contributing to a good working environment, challenges, atmosphere, rewards, great pride, great communication and great bosses.

“As a 100 percent employee-owned company, we are empowered to put our employees first,” CEO Luis D'Acosta commented. “What this means for us is that we have a highly talented and engaged workforce focused on quality, innovation and customer service. It's a model that has also proven beneficial for our company, the industries we serve and U.S. manufacturing.”

SEL was the only company to make Fortune's list in the Western United States.