Bluco Named One of Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in Chicagoland
Bluco® Corp. (Naperville, IL) was recently recognized by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) as one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in 2021.
Posted: September 21, 2021
According to NABR: “Best and Brightest winners represent the most exceptional places to work. They are the companies and organizations who push operational standards forward, foster constructive environments, and display a commitment to their team members and community.”
Bluco’s recogntion was based on a nomination that included details about the company’s culture, employee benefits, HR practices, and charity efforts.
“We strive to offer incentives and programs that reward the development of each individual as a whole person instead of just as an employee,” said Margy Pagone, HR representative Margy Pagone. “To support that, we place a high priority on both physical and mental health.”
According to Bluco, the award recognizes companies that believe delivering top-notch products and services to customers starts by creating a top-notch workplace for its employees. Nominees are evaluated by an independent research firm using a number of criteria, including compensation, employee enrichment, engagement and retention, education and development, recruitment, and diversity and inclusion.
In addition to forward-thinking HR practices, Bluco continues to offer unusual perks to motivate its team, like a game room that features a sports simulator and an unusually entertaining, quarterly, all-company meeting venue: a movie theater. “We try to be creative about motivating people,” Pagone said. “The theater location came about when the pandemic forced us to find a larger space. But it turned out to be so nice that we’ve continued going there, with dinner and a movie after when we can fit it in the schedule.”
Small touches like those were a few of the efforts called out in the employee survey administered by NABR. Bluco also scored high marks for its compensation and benefits packages, its charitable efforts (through the Bluco Cares Foundation), and its Supported Employment Program, which offers employment opportunities for qualified individuals with special needs.
News of the award was shared with Bluco’s team at the most recent quarterly meeting. “Having the chance to share news of an award like this, with this group of people, is something I hope I’ll get to do again and again,” Pagone said.
This was Bluco’s first time in the Best and Brightest competition. The company was one of 140 Chicago-area companies announced as winners this year.
Bluco makes modular fixturing for welding, machining, robotics, and positioning.
