Employees of Flexco tend to stick around for years, if not decades. And it’s easy to see why.
The Downers Grove manufacturer, which makes accessories that help conveyors function more productively, invests in training and cultivates a culture that values and supports both employees and customers.
The company holds quarterly town hall meetings to update employees on how the business is performing. An annual bonus is handed out to everyone on the payroll. Employees are given a top safety-rated car seat upon the birth of a baby, a gift Flexco leaders say aligns with the company’s safety-focused culture.
There’s “a deep care, concern and appreciation for employees at every level, and a sense of shared purpose as well as shared reward,” said Thomas Wujek, president and CEO. Wujek is in his 33rd year with the company. He started as an intern and worked in several departments before being tapped as CEO in 2021.
Founded in 1907 in a small workshop in Chicago, Flexco relocated its offices and plant to Downers Grove in the 1970s. The privately owned company also operates a manufacturing facility near Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has 15 locations in 13 countries. It employs roughly 900 people globally, about half of whom are in the U.S, and holds 185 patents.
Flexco’s products are used in major airports around the globe, in a bun-toasting machine at McDonald’s and in a variety of other industries, including shipping, mining and food processing.
Flexco ranks 59th among mid-sized companies on the Chicago Tribune’s list of Top Workplaces, as measured by the consultancy Energage in Exton, Pennsylvania.
“It’s the people, the shared purpose that we have, the shared culture that we continue to work on every day. That’s what makes Flexco unique,” Wujek said.
Flexco employees are empowered to make decisions according to clearly defined priorities, Wujek said. In the company’s decision-making hierarchy, safety always comes first, quality second, delivery third and cost last.
“It’s refreshing to work for a company that puts cost last in terms of decision-making,” said Daniel Ruiz, engineering supervisor. “Too often, I have seen companies take shortcuts and make short-term decisions to save pennies at the expense of their end users.”
Ruiz joined Flexco in 2024 after being contacted by a recruiter about the opportunity.
“My experience at Flexco has been life changing. And that’s not hyperbole. What attracted me to the position, the more I looked into Flexco while interviewing, was the people and the culture,” Ruiz said. “In previous jobs, there have been metaphorical walls between departments and people with a ‘not my problem — not my job’ mentality. But at Flexco, to my surprise, everyone is willing to help. People greet you with a smile and will go out of their way to get you what you need.”
Everyone at the company is “united around a common vision: to be the most valued partner for conveyor solutions,” Ruiz said.
About 10 years ago, the company began developing Flexco University, a suite of training courses that provide information about the company’s products as well as safety practices for working around conveyors. The courses are designed for Flexco’s employees as well as its customers. Classes are conducted online and in person.
Tammy Balogh, who has been with the company for 35 years and serves as chief people officer, said Flexco has developed two leadership training programs, one for front-line managers and another for leaders who have other leaders reporting to them.
“We always have invested in the development of our leaders, and I think that is a strong part of our culture,” Balogh said. “We know that the leaders we have in our organization, they are strong and they model our values and behaviors. They understand that these aren’t just words on the wall. This is how we run our business.“
The company also sponsors employees who want to pursue advanced learning opportunities, such as certifications and college degrees, she said.
The workplace culture at Flexco is defined by five values: people first, better together, customer centered, forward thinking and committed to excellence.
“We live those values. They’re not just words on the wall. We talk about them all the time,” Balogh said.
“The great thing about our organization is that culture isn’t just an HR thing,” Balogh said. “Our executive team takes accountability for the culture. We’re role modeling all those behaviors. The whole environment allows people to thrive and continue to grow and find opportunities.”
Over the past five years, turnover at Flexco’s Downers Grove facility has averaged 8% and employee tenure averages 12 years, she said.
Angela Bolden started working on Flexco’s shop floor more than 14 years ago.
“What I noticed right away was how friendly everyone was, how open they were and they were open to any questions I had about the processes,” Bolden said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I think I’m going to be here awhile.’”
Bolden has since recruited her brother and husband to work at Flexco. “I always say it’s the people that make the company,” she said.
Hannah Sullivan, senior global supply chain agent, started there in 2021. “I joined Flexco because I was looking for a company with a fantastic culture, one that truly values its people, fosters collaboration and supports growth and development,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan works across time zones and cultures to ensure the company’s global supply chain strategy runs smoothly. Her role recently expanded to include a more global scope and greater strategic responsibility, and she spent time at Flexco’s facility in Germany, providing on-the-ground leadership.
“It was an incredibly valuable experience for me personally. It pushed me to grow as a leader, especially in navigating different cultural perspectives,” Sullivan said. “That experience in Germany really helped shaped me and how I want to lead going forward, and I really appreciate Flexco for providing opportunities like that.”
She values the relationships she formed with counterparts around the globe.
“Flexco has really maintained a strong family feel that’s continued to persist as we’ve expanded operations around the world,” Sullivan said. “I think that’s a rare find, to find a company that has such a global reach but also maintains a close-knit culture.”
Katherine Weaver contributed.
